We’ve Got Work To Do

We’ve Got Work to Do!

A MultiGenerational Collaboration of Faith & Action As people of faith, we embrace Martin Luther King’s legacy of hope for a beloved community in which we live together in peace and safety.We unite to bring God’s vision of a peaceable kingdom, that we might end the violence killing our families, our friends, and our neighbors. We resist the effects of racism and poverty against which Martin Luther King struggled, and apathy in the face of an epidemic of violence that took over 400 lives last year in Philadelphia alone. Fear, closed doors, and separation will not end this epidemic. We must come together and in a bold movement of faith and action to do something to make a real difference. We act to end the violence, beginning with a focus on ending gun violence in the greater Philadelphia area. The Invitation: Faith communities in the greater Philadelphia area — city and suburb, rich and poor, young and old, are invited to come together this Fall:
 To participate in a project to bring together urban and suburban faith communities, from all religions and denominations, to learn from each other, discover our diversity and common ground, and develop the ideas and networks necessary to take effective action to reduce the gun violence in our city.
 To join with over 500 faith-based activists for peace and social justice from across the nation, and nearly 1000 others from Philadelphia area congregations on January 17, 2009 to worship together and witness to the power of faith in action.
 To create positive energy, take positive action, and make positive change!
The Commitment:
 3 adults and three youth/young adults from each of 3 faith communities
 Come together for at least 3 meetings, October – December 2008
 Engage in dialogue, shared learning, creative expression, and action planning
 Host others from partner churches and faith-based activists from the national Peace Gathering for a morning of programming and prayer on January 17, 2009
The Resources:
 Training for program facilitators
 Informational materials on gun violence
 Guidelines for dialogue and Fall program planning
 Speakers, materials and program ideas for January
 Support for youth-initiated creative projects such as short videos, music production, etc.
The Worship & Witness: In the afternoon, participants from all partner congregations and will come together to raise our hands, our hearts and our voices in worship and song. We’ll hear from inspirational preachers and teachers, and we’ll take our witness to the street in support of grassroots, faith-based engagement in building peace in our communities.
A joint effort of the Church of the Brethren,
Mennonite Church USA and Philadelphia Yearly Meeting
of the Religious Society of Friends. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, January 13-17, 2009 Strengthening our witness and work for peace in the world by inspiring hope, raising voices, taking action. Please direct inquiries to: saturday@peacegathering2009.org 267-519-5302