To: Africa Advocates
From: Fithe Heramo and Tammy Alexander, MCC Washington Office
Date: September 19, 2008
Re: Week of Waging Peace in Sudan Event

Issue

During the second week of November, churches around the country will work to raise awareness about the situation in Sudan, pray for peacemakers and justice seekers in Sudan, and urge the U.S. government to take appropriate action. The goal is to educate U.S. citizens and to encourage the newly elected President and the U.S. Congress to work for peace in Sudan.

MCC will join this effort with its Week of Waging Peace in Sudan event, November 9-16, 2008. For more information, go to mcc.org/sudanaction.

Background

The situation in Sudan is at a crucial juncture. The 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement, ending over two decades of civil war between the North and the South, could become the foundation for a new and more equitable governing structure and a template for peace in Darfur. Or, it could collapse, reigniting a brutal civil war and dashing hopes for peace in Darfur.

The U.S. government has the opportunity to play an important, constructive, peacemaking role in Sudan. We can encourage our government to take more effective, timely action.

By the numbers:

• 4 million: number of people who fled their homes in southern Sudan during the war
• 4 million: number of people who fled their homes in southern Sudan during the war
• 100: number of children in many crowded classrooms in the South as refugees return
• 2 million: number of people currently displaced by the conflict in Darfur

Faith Reflection

The war in Sudan has left children without parents and schools, people without houses and jobs and government without funds to build infrastructure. As Christians it is our responsibility to care about what is going on around the world. The Bible repeatedly tells us we should care for others. That concern should extend, not only to those in our local community, but to parents and children suffering in far-off lands. Participating in the Week of Waging Peace in Sudan can be one way of fulfilling our Christian responsibility.

"Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed. Rescue the weak and needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked." Psalm 82:3-4

Action

Save the dates November 9-16, 2008, and begin discerning with your congregation how you might plan a worship service or vigil and what specific advocacy actions you want to take. Perhaps your church can introduce the topic during a Sunday in September and announce the start of a 6-week Sunday School study to prepare for the November week of prayer and action (you can use the 6-week study guide at www.mcc.org/us/washington/sudan/resources). If, however, the November dates do not work for your church, you are welcome to select another set of dates.

First Steps

These are first steps you can take immediately to get ready for the Week of Waging Peace:

1. Sign Up: Sign up as a congregation at www.mcc.org/sudanaction and see what other congregations in your area are doing. When you sign up you can receive, free of charge:
   • 4 campaign posters
   • 5 copies of the 6-week small group study guide
2. Organize: Form a planning committee that can meet regularly to discuss the worship service or other liturgical events as well as begin discerning an appropriate way to witness to government.
3. Learn and Share: Starting in September, host a small group study to begin or continue to learn about Sudan’s struggles and share with others in the church and wider community (visit mcc.org/sudanaction for more information).
4. Get Your Conference On Board: Call or send an email to the conference coordinator letting her/him know that the Week of Waging Peace is happening and that your congregation is supporting the event.

We would love to hear what you are doing on behalf of the people of Sudan. Please share your events by signing up at mcc.org/sudanaction or send an email to .