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Our daily encounters with one another, with the created
world, and with God have the power to change us. We are
called to live in new ways, responding to the needs of those
around us. Martin Luther King, Jr. speaks about how a shift
in thinking can result in new ways of living, “The
first question which the priest and the Levite asked on
the Jericho road was: ‘If I stop to help this man,
what will happen to me?’ But…the Good Samaritan
reversed the question: ‘If I do not stop to help this
man, what will happen to him?’”
Peacebuilding can take place in our own homes, in our environment,
in situations of social or economic injustice, and in our
responses to war. Throughout the past year, MCC Manitoba
has had the opportunity to speak to number of peace-related
concerns. Some highlights were:
The Peace and Social Concerns Committee (PSCC) hosted an
election forum together with Canadian Mennonite University’s
new Institute for Community Peacebuilding and Project Peacemakers.
The event was well attended, and gave concerned community
members an opportunity to hear various responses to peace-related
issues, such as military spending and presence and foreign
policy.
Four MCC provincial offices have initiated a young adult
learning tour to Colombia in August 2006.
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Ten young adults with two co-leaders participated in this
learning experience. Together with Colombian young adults,
the Canadian group will spent time reflecting on the Colombian
context of armed conflict, the relation it has with the
current economic model of the Americas, and how Canadian
and Colombian Anabaptists make up part of the model and
can work towards change. Upon return, these young adults
will be looking for ways to share their experiences with
the public and their MCC constituency. Make sure to attend
an event where these folks will be speaking!
A number of workshops and evenings were spent with youth
and school groups, on issues of bullying and violence in
schools, the Make Poverty History Campaign, water and the
environment, and hunger.
Each year the provincial peace program staff gathers together
for Peace Network Meetings. Time is spent sharing information
on events and helpful resources, and working together at
current issues and new programming ideas.
May God continue to challenge us to step out of our places
of comfort into new ways of living.
Charge our lives and our churches with the power of your
peace, O God. Overcome our fears and self-deceptions with
the promise of your presence. Transform into signs of your
generosity and justice. Light us each day with hope, so
that we may walk in your truth and be love in your Name.
Amen.
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