BMPC

The Peacemaking Committee embraces people with a passion and interest in issues related to peacemaking in the family, the community and the wider world. We present educational programs examining important issues and provide the information you need to take direct action and make an impact.

Join your community neighbors at the 14^th annual Lower Merion Interfaith Celebration of Thanksgiving on Sun., Nov. 20^th at 4 pm at Adath Israel, 250 Highland Ave. North, Merion Station (3 blocks down Old Lancaster Rd. after it splits off Montgomery Ave. in Merion).

The annual Peacemaking Offering collected on the first Sunday in October helps fund a variety of programs such as Heeding God’s Call , an interfaith coalition working to stop gun violence (see info below). We offer continuing support to the Lower Merion Interfaith Thanksgiving Celebration, involving over 15 Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Quaker and Bahai congregations. In the past we have sponsored programs on critical issues like land mines and the Israeli/Palestinian conflict, as well as efforts to breech divides within the Presbyterian denomination.

Carrying forward the 2008 One Church, One Book program on Simon Wiesenthal’s The Sunflower and the discussions on the theme of forgiveness, we start the 2010 program year with opportunities to learn how we can impact the devastation of modern day genocide in Africa. Join us for a discussion of “The Translator,” on Oct. 17^th and on Oct. 25^th to hear speakers from the Genocide Intervention Network and US Holocaust Memorial Museum.

Heeding God’s Call, the faith-based and grassroots campaign to persuade gun retailers to adopt a Code of Conduct intended to diminish ‘straw purchasing’ and illegal gun trafficking, and Neighborhood Partners to End Gun Violence (NPEG) will host a Prayer Gathering, Procession and Public Witness on Wednesday, September 21, the International Day of Prayer for Peace. The event, Stop Straw Purchasing: Stand Against Illegal Guns will begin at 4pm at 16^th and Catherine Streets in Philadelphia, the site of a shooting in July, and process north on Broad to Dilworth Plaza at City Hall. Tee shirts commemorating each 2011 Philadelphia shooting death to date will be carried by walkers. Members of BMPC’s Peacemaking Committee have played leading roles in Heeding God’s Call’s growing campaign. All are encouraged to ‘live their faith on their feet’ by participating in these prayerful and meaningful activities. See www.heedinggodscall.org for more information.