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Turning toward peace

mcc.org/turningtowardpeace

And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace for those who make peace. James 3:18

 
Each year some people of faith decide to witness for peace by redirecting their war tax dollars to efforts that nurture life, build justice and promote peace.
 
The MCC U.S. “Turning toward peace” initiative provides an opportunity to sow the seeds of peace by supporting MCC’s Global Family program in Afghanistan, or the MCC U.S. Summer Service program.
MCC U.S. Summer ServiceTurning toward peace
MCC’s Global Family program sponsors creative, community-based education programs around the world that help school age children gain the confidence and skills they need to improve their lives and their communities. In Afghanistan, an MCC partner agency, Help the Afghan Children (HTAC) offers a peace education program in all of its schools to help children understand how to live peacefully. For almost 30 years, Afghan children have been the innocent victims of a never-ending cycle of violence, conflict and terror. Supporting HTAC through Global Family helps bring peace to communities in Afghanistan.
 
MCC’s Summer Service program supports young adults of diverse backgrounds from across the United States to participate in a 6-10 week leadership development program. Serving in their home communities through a church or other agency, young adults help with various activities such as vacation Bible school, summer youth camps, or other community building activities. When you support the Summer Service program, you are helping prepare young adults to be future leaders in their churches and communities.
 
Former Summer Service worker Celmali Jaime worked hard in her Philadelphia day camp assignment to insure that peacemaking was part of the experience. "Peace is an important issue in Philadelphia," Jaime said. She said that many of the children who come don't see peace in their lives or neighborhood, so it is important to demonstrate peace at camp.
 
Resources for Reflection
Choosing to redirect one’s war tax dollars to peaceful purposes often involves prayerful reflection on one’s deepest faith commitments and careful consideration of the potential consequences. The following resources may be helpful:
 
  • Visit MCC's Conscientious Objection web site for information on the spiritual roots of war tax resistance and the experiences of people of faith who have chosen to make this witness, 
  • War Tax Resistance at a Glance, a review of options, consequences and common questions related to war tax resistance, published by the National War Tax Resistance Coordinating Committee.
  • National Priorities Project's interactive web site that shows how taxes for war contributed by your home town could be spent for other areas of human need.