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Recommended Links
The following sites are related to topics on the
Institute for Peace and Justice
web site.
We have organized them in several categories, to help you find what
you’re looking for. Please visit them.
Faith-based Peace, Justice &
Environmental Organizations
Alternatives
for Simple Living
(www.simpleliving.org)
Based in Sioux City, IA, Alternatives is a non-profit organization that
equips people of faith to challenge consumerism, live justly and celebrate
responsibly. Started in 1973 as a protest against the commercialization of
Christmas, its focus is on encouraging celebrations that reflect
conscientious ways of living.
American
Friends Service Committee
(www.afsc.org)
Based in Philadelphia and
with offices across the US, AFSC is a Quaker organization which includes
people of various faith who are committed to social justice, peace and
humanitarian service. Especially pertinent are its
"Waging Peace Campaign"
http://www.afsc.org/iraq/ on the ongoing war on Iraq and its "Youth and
the Military"
http://www.afsc.org/youthmil/actions.htm program for making
decisions on military service.
Baptist
Peace Fellowship of North America
(www.bpfna.org)
Based in Charlotte, NC,
BPFNA publishes an excellent BAPTIST PEACEMAKER journal, empowers overseas
solidarity projects and nonviolent training programs, works on restorative
justice, hosts an annual gathering for youth and adults, and offers
“Creative Ideas for Using the Family Covenant of Nonviolence” on their
website.
Buddhist
Peace Fellowship
(www.bpf.org)
Based in Berkeley, CA,
and affiliated with FOR in Nyack, NY, BPF promotes justice and peace with
its Buddhist constituencies, a “Peace Pages” program promoting nonviolence,
and a special prison program.
The
Center of
Concern (www.coc.org)
Founded in 1971 and based in Washington, DC, the Center of Concern works
with international networks promoting social analysis, theological
reflection, policy analysis, political advocacy, research and public
education on issues of global development, peace and social justice.
Their Education for Justice website is especially helpful on these issues
and other
dimensions of Catholic social teaching.
Church World Service
(www.churchworldservice.org)
Based in Baltimore and Elkhart, IN, CWS conducts extensive global hunger and
relief efforts. Its Education & Advocacy Program has an especially helpful
“What Do You Know About Hunger? Hunger Activities that Work” resource.
Contact Tom Hampson at thampson@churchworldservice.org.
Decade to Overcome Violence
(www.overcomingviolence.org)
An
initiative of the World Council of Churches, The Decade to Overcome Violence
(2001-2010)
calls churches, ecumenical organizations and all people of good will to work
together at all levels (local, regional, global) with communities, secular
movements, people of all living faiths for peace, justice and
reconciliation.
Episcopal Peace
Fellowship
(www.episcopalpeacefellowship.org)
Affiliated with FOR in Nyack, NY, EPF promotes justice and peace with its
Episcopal Church constituencies, and is deeply involved in nonviolence
training through the From Violence to Wholeness program of Pace E Bene
Faithful America
(www.faithfulamerica.org)
Organized by
the National Council of
Churches of Christ, FaithfulAmerica.org is an
online community of people of faith who want to build a more just and
compassionate nation, especially in view of what’s happened since
9/11 and the 2004 election campaign.
Fellowship of
Reconciliation
(www.forusa.org)
This international interfaith fellowship has been training, witnessing, and
advocating for a nonviolent world since World War I. The US office
publishes FELLOWSHIP Magazine and offers an extensive book service on
nonviolence. FOR conducts training programs in nonviolence for youth as
well as adults of faith. It coordinates the various faith-based Peace
Fellowships included in these links, as well as US participation in the UN
Decade for a Culture of Peace and Nonviolence.
Global Coalition for Peace
(www.globalcoalitionforpeace.net)
An
global interfaith effort for a more peaceful and just global community.
Its “Mother-to-Mother for Peace and Nonviolence program links American
mothers with Muslim mothers overseas, as a way of breaking down “enemy
thinking” and building bridges.
Jewish Peace
Fellowship
(www.jewishpeacefellowship.org)
Based in Nyack, NY, where
it is affiliated with FOR, JPF promotes nonviolence with its various Jewish
constituencies.
Jubilee Partners
(see “Special Places of Peace” below)
JustFaith (www.justfaith.org)
Based in Louisville, KY,
the JustFaith program is designed to enable Catholic parish participants to
develop a passion for justice and express this passion in concrete acts of
social ministry. Its formation process emphasizes the Gospel message of
peace and justice, Catholic social teaching, and the intersection of
spirituality and action, all in the context of small faith communities.
Lutheran Peace
Fellowship
(www.LutheranPeace.org)
Based in
Seattle, WA, founded in 1971, and affiliated with FOR, LPF is a community of
Lutherans in North America and overseas, responding to the Gospel call to be
peacemakers and justice seekers. LPF offers a wide range of expertise,
encouragement and resources, plus a very effective “Youth Work” program.
Muslim Peace
Fellowship
(www.mpfweb.org)
Based in Nyack,
NY, where it is affiliated with FOR, MPF promotes peacemaking and
nonviolence among Muslim communities and offers non-Muslims throughout
North America important opportunities to understand and collaborate with
Islamic groups.
Pax Christi USA
(www.paxchristiusa.org)
Based in Erie, PA, Pax
Christi USA explores, articulates, and witnesses to the call of Christian
nonviolence, beginning in personal life and extending to communities of
reflection and action to transform structures of society. Pax Christi USA
rejects every form of violence and domination and advocates for the primacy
of conscience, economic and social justice, and respect for creation.
Pace E Bene
(www.paceebene.org)
Based in Las Vegas, NV, this faith-based nonviolent education and resistance
effort centers around the Nevada Test Site. Its “From Violence to
Wholeness” program and resource on learning and living Christian nonviolence
is especially helpful and challenging.
Peace Abbey
(www.peaceabbey.org)
- (see “Special Places of Peace”)
The Peace Abbey is
dedicated to creating innovative models for society that empower individuals
on the paths of nonviolence, peacemaking and cruelty-free living. We
offer a variety of programs and resources that teach, inspire and encourage
one to speak out and act on issues of peace and social justice. Faith
in action is the cornerstone of our fellowship and activist pacifism is our
creed.
Peace & Justice Support Network of Mennonite Church USA
(www.MennoLink.org/peace)
Its mission is to proclaim and promote God's desire for justice (Micah
6:8),
Christ's call to peacemaking (Matthew
5:9),
and the Spirit's reconciling work (Ephesians
2:11-22).
Presbyterian Peace Fellowship
(www.presbypeacefellowship.faithweb.com)
Affiliated with
FOR in Nyack, NY, PPF supports and challenges Presbyterians use their
prophetic voice to challenge unjust relationships of power and advocate for
peace, justice, the integrity of creation, and the full inclusion of all
God's people in church and society.
Based in Louisville, KY,
PPP provides advocacy directives, educational and worship resources, and
networking opportunities for its Presbyterian constituencies on a wide range
of domestic and international justice and peace issues; plus a special focus
on the United Nations.
Shalom Center
(www.shalomctr.org)
Progressive Jewish center
of reflection, worship and action on Middle East issues, the aftermath of
9/11, and environmental and personal stewardship. Rabbi Art Waskow’s
periodic reflections are extremely insightful for both Jews and other people
of faith.
SojoNet
(www.sojo.net)
SojoNet is the online presence of Sojourners, a Christian ministry whose
mission is to proclaim and practice the biblical call to integrate spiritual
renewal and social justice. Rooted in the solid ground of prophetic
biblical tradition, Sojourners is a progressive Christian voice that
preaches compassion, community, and commitment.
Tikkun Community
(www.tikkun.org)
Progressive Jewish-led coalition promoting an alternative vision and
implementation steps toward a truly global community.
Click here for other “Websites
addressing issues of violence and offering opportunities to take action”
on the violence of poverty, gun violence, violence in the media, violence in
schools, domestic violence, hate violence & racism, the violence of
terrorism & war.
Chilldren’s
Defense Fund
(www.childrensdefense.org)
Founded in 1973 and based in Washington, DC, CDF provides a strong and
effective voice for all the children of America, especially poor and
minority children and those with disabilities; plus comprehensive and
effectively presented data on poverty and children.
DISARM Education Fund (www.disarm.org)
Founded in 1976 as a gun-control group, DISARM has broadened its mission
and transformed into an internationally recognized advocacy and medical
assistance organization, focused especially on Central America and the U.S.
government embargo on Cuba.
EarthAction
(www.earthaction.org)
EarthAction is building a global action alert network of over 1,800
organizations and community groups in more than 140 countries, mobilizing
people simultaneously around the planet to speak out for a better world.
Lion & Lamb
(www.lionlamb.org)
Based in Bethesda, MD,
Lion & Lamb challenges marketing violence to children and promotes
nonviolent play & entertainment; subscribe to their bi-weekly e-alert.
Military
Families Speak Out
(www.mfso.org)
provides support
for military families opposing the war on Iraq
National Campaign for a
Peace Tax Fund
(www.peacetaxfund.org)
Based in
Washington, DC, the National Campaign for a Peace Tax Fund is a
membership-funded non-profit which campaigns for a law which would allow
conscientious objectors to pay their full federal income taxes without
funding the military.
National War Tax
Resistance
Coordinating Committee (www.nwtrcc.org)
Based in
Brooklyn, NY, the NWTRCC is a coalition of groups
from across the U.S., formed in 1982 to provide nformation and support to
people involved in or considering some form of war tax resistance.
September 11th
Families for Peaceful Tomorrows
(www.peacefultomorrows.org)
promotes peaceful alternatives in response to the deaths of their family
members.
Voices in the
Wilderness
(www.vitw.org)
Begun as a
nonviolent presence in Iraq challenging US and UN economic sanctions, Voices
continues its presence there while challenging US post-war policies.
War Resisters
League
(www.warresisters.org)
Based in New York City and committed to end
war and the causes of war, WRL advocates for nonviolent alternatives to a
militarized public policy both domestically and internationally. They
publish the excellent annual “Federal Budget Pie” – “Where Your Income Tax
Money Really Goes.”
Educational Organizations for
Peace, Justice & the Environment
A
Season for Nonviolence
(www.agnt.org)
Co-founded and convened by
the Association for Global New Thought and based in Santa Barbara, CA,
Season for Nonviolence - January 30 - April 4, is a national 64-day
educational, media, and grassroots campaign dedicated to demonstrating that
nonviolence is a powerful way to heal, transform, and empower our lives and
our communities. Inspired by the 50th and 30th memorial anniversaries of
Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., this international event
honors their vision for an empowered, nonviolent world.
Center for Service-Learning and Social Change
The Center seeks to empower youth -- and adults who work with youth -- in
the understanding and practical application of "service-learning"
methodology, with a focus on all dimensions of the process of social
change. Among its services, the Center provides consultation, training, and
a variety of resources. Based in central Minnesota, the Center also seeks
to collaborate with similar efforts throughout the state and beyond. The
Center's web
site
will be up sometime in 2005. Meanwhile, contact Kevin Lanave, Director, at
821 22nd Ave N., St Cloud, MN 56303; (320) 259-5480;
klanave@victorcc.net.
Concerned Educators Allied for a Safe Environment
(www.peaceeducators.org)
Founded by Peggy Schirmer and based in Cambridge, MA, CEASE networks and
supports early childhood educators in teaching peace.
Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence
(www.gandhiinstitute.org)
Founded by Arun Gandhi
(Mahatma Gandhi's grandson) and his wife Sunanda and based at Christian
Brothers University in Memphis, TN, the M. K. Gandhi Institute promotes and
applies the principles of nonviolence locally, nationally, and globally, to
prevent violence and resolve personal and public conflicts through research,
education, and programming.
Learning Peace
(www.learningpeace.com)
Features the work of author, Naomi Drew, who has written several books on
peacemaking. It provides valuable information for teachers, parents, and
anyone interested in creating peace in their homes, schools, families, and
beyond. Find out how you can get involved in the "Race to Peace."
Teaching and
Learning for Peace Foundation
(www.tlpeace.org.au)
Based in Adelaide, South Australia, TLPF documents, supports, develops and
presents peace-building possibilities based on storytelling processes for
adults and children in local communities worldwide.
Family, Youth, and
Children’s Organizations
with a Peace Orientation
Baby Bloc (www.babybloc.org)
Based in Tacoma, WA, this family activist network publishes a “Baby Bloc”
journal and maintains a website to help parents integrate their activism
with raising their children.
Center for Ministry Development (www.cmdnet.org)
Founded in 1978 and based in Naugutauk, CT, CMD trains leaders in family,
youth, and parish ministry, promotes social justice with youth, and creates
a variety of resources for these ministries, including its new “Generations
of Faith” program.
The Children’s Peace Pavilion
(www.kidpeace.org)
Located in Independence, MO, at the headquarters of the Community of Christ,
the Pavilion was established in 1995 as a “special place” where children and
youth of all faiths come to experience what it means to be peacemakers. The
Pavilion offers unique hands-on, inquiry-based exhibits on the themes of
Peace for Me, Peace for Us, Peace for Everyone, and Peace for the Planet.
Christian Family
Movement
(www.cfm.org)
CFM
is both a national and international network of families who meet in small
parish or neighborhood groups to put their Christian faith into practice at
home and in service to the needs of their communities, nations, and world.
Kids Peace
(www.kidspeace.org)
Since 1892, this national
center has been helping kids develop the confidence and skills they need to
overcome crisis by providing specialized residential treatment services and
a comprehensive range of treatment programs and educational services to help
families help kids anticipate and avoid crisis whenever possible.
Kids as Peacemakers
(www.kidsaspeacemakers.org)
Kids As Peacemakers Inc was begun in 1999 "to reduce violence and foster the
development of child-friendly communities. They encourage churches,
synagogues and schools to talk about peacemaking with their youngsters and
create "peace murals" for public display. Their other creative programs
include an "Annual Gift Flyer" for choosing positive gifts for children,
"Violent Toy Turn-Ins," and "Family Play Days." You can contact Merle
Forney, the founder, at merle.forney1@verizon.net
Little Friends for Peace
(www.lffp.org)
Based in Mt. Rainier, MD, Little Friends for Peace encourages nonviolence in
children and families by offering playful skill building and peacemaking
programs, training programs for adult and teen leaders, and a variety of
peacemaking and peace camp resources.
Nonviolent Peacekeeping Groups
Nonviolent Peaceforce
(www.nonviolentpeaceforce.org)
NPF is
an unarmed peace keeping force composed of trained civilians from around the
world. In partnership with local groups, Nonviolent Peaceforce members use
nonviolent strategies to protect human rights, deter violence, and help
create space for local peacemakers to carry out their work. Their initial
effort continues in Sri Lanka.
Christian Peacemaker Teams (www.cpt.org)
Christian Peacemaker Teams
(CPT) offers an organized, nonviolent alternative to war and other forms of
lethal inter-group conflict. CPT provides organizational support to persons
committed to faith-based nonviolent alternatives in situations where lethal
conflict is an immediate reality or is supported by public policy.
Witness for Peace (www.witnessforpeace.org)
Witness for Peace is a
politically independent, grassroots organization,
committed to nonviolence and led by faith and conscience. Witness
for Peace supports peace, justice and
sustainable economies in the Americas by changing US policies and corporate
practices which contribute to poverty and oppression in Latin America and
the Caribbean.
“Special Places of Peace”
– to Visit & Stay
The Peace Abbey
(www.peaceabbey.org)
The
Peace Abbey was begun in 1988 by Lewis Randa and is located on the grounds
of the Life Experience School in Sherborn, MA, which Lewis began in 1972 as
his “alternative service” as a conscientious objector during the Vietnam
War. The Peace Abbey is a shrine to faith-filled peacemakers, an interfaith
chapel, and a small retreat center, where individuals have been nourished in
the spirit of “Franciscan Quakerism.” The spirits and legacies of Mahatma
Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Jr., Robert Kennedy, and Archbishop Oscar Romero
permeate the place.
Lewis and Meg Randa are truly unique people who have created an experience
of peacemaking at the Abbey and its many different programs. The Abbey
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Offers in its
multi-faith chapel a sacred environment which holds the icons, symbols,
sculptures and texts of the twelve major faith traditions;
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Provides
conference and retreat space
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Presents
the Courage of Conscience Award
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Maintains
the Pacifist Memorial where dozens of visitors daily walk the walls of the
Pacifist Memorial, reading the quotes from men and women who lived their
lives as pacifists and activists;
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Administers the
National Registry for Conscientious Objectors, RATC (Reserve
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Activist Training Corps), Citycare and the
Greater Boston Vegetarian Resource Library
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Operates the Veganpeace Animal Sanctuary and honors Emily the Sacred Cow,
with the Animal Rights Memorial;
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Maintains a
Guesthouse, the Greenhouse Café, and a coffeehouse with monthly programs
providing both entertainment and inspiration;
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Provides space for the
New England Peace Studies Association;
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Sponsors Stonewalk, a
Memorial for Unknown Civilians Killed in War;
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Conducts a Meditation
Service each Sunday in the Quaker Meeting Room;
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Maintains the Pacifist
Living History Museum;
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Administers the Life
Experience School for students with special needs;
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Oversees a group home
for adults with disabilities
The
Abbey Guesthouse offers a wonderful “bed and breakfast” experience for a
night, a weekend, or a week, whatever it takes for visitors to renew their
spirits and their passion and commitment to peacemaking. Being with Lewis
and Meg and their animal friends and other visitors, or all alone with the
spirit of the Abbey, is a truly memorable experience.
If
you want to spend time at the Peace Abbey, contact Lewis and Meg Randa at
2
N. Main St., Sherborn, MA 01770; 508-650-3659.
Jubilee Partners
(www.jubileepartners.org)
Founded by Don Mosley and five others
and based in Comer, GA, Jubilee has a staff of about 25 adults and a dozen
children. About half of the adults are "resident partners," for whom this is
a year-round home. The rest are seasonal "volunteers," who may live and work
at Jubilee anywhere from three months to a year. In addition, there may be
up to 20 or 25 refugees from Sudan, Afghanistan, or other countries that
have been ravaged by war. And finally, there is a steady stream of visitors
from many places, up to 2,000 a year. A major part of the staff's time
and energy goes into welcoming and hosting refugees from more than twenty
countries. Volunteers are an essential part of this exciting process.
Giving freely to others while here, most leave richer than when they came.
Jubilee’s overseas programs include extensive involvement with Habitat
for Humanity, especially in the Middle East; the All Our Children effort
with the National Council of the Churches of Christ to provide medical help
for the children of Iraq (www.allourchildren.org);
and the “Walk in Peace” program promoting justice, peace, and healing in
Nicaragua. This campaign began by responding to the victims who lost their
legs to landmines.
For the “Jubilee Story” in writing, read With Our Own Eyes - the
dramatic account of a Christian response to the wounds of war, racism, and
oppression. It tells the story of how our community has striven to follow
Jesus and be peacemakers in a world of violence. Through those efforts, God
has blessed us again and again!
If you are interested in
visiting Jubilee Partners or becoming one of their volunteers, contact them
at Jubilee Partners, P.O. Box 68 Comer, GA 30629;
(706) 783-5131. Don and his family and the whole Jubilee community are
truly remarkable people who have been faithful to the call to Christian
peacemaking, nonviolent direct action, and global humanitarian service for
decades. |