by Deanna Larson

Families around the world wake each morning in terror and go to bed at night shaking with that same terror. Often, that fear stems from a life of conflict and violence rooted in discrimination, hunger, poverty, and powerlessness.

The United Nations’ annual International Day of Peace on September 21 challenges people to think differently — and respond differently — to tensions and violence in their own communities and to "rise above national boundaries, politics, religion and ideologies...and celebrate cultural diversities rather than using them as a reason for conflict," according to the World Peace Prayer Society.

Creating a culture of peace starts with individual beliefs and actions that promote justice, compassion, acceptance, and forgiveness. Is your home peaceful? Your relationships? What about your congregation, schools, workplace, or your community?

Christians can throw that first "peace" pebble into the pond and let the tiny ripples expand into larger circles of influence. Start this month by seeking to heal conflicts and hostility among family, friends, members of your congregation, and co–workers. Seek win-win solutions to conflicts, advises the Lutheran Peace Fellowship, and pray for those who hurt you. Ask hard questions of yourself and admit your vested interest in a system that favors some and oppresses others. Then become part of the larger circle of influence by volunteering your time with church and community organizations that work to overcome violence and abuse.

"To go beyond study is always important," said Sharon Heck, a Peace with Justice activist in California who has been involved with Bread for the World, the Lutheran Office for Public Policy in California, and the Lutheran Office for Governmental Affairs in Washington, D.C.

Heck attended the ELCA’s "Equipping for Peacemaking" conference in April 2005 in Chicago, which aimed to build a "network of peacemakers," according to the Rev. Michelle Miller of the ELCA Commission for Women.

Ways you can make a difference
There are a great many things Lutheran women can do in the movement toward peacemaking, Heck said. Advocate for youth activities and jobs "to help assuage violence in neighborhoods"; work with a soup kitchen or food bank to "ease the violence that can accompany hunger"; or write letters to elected officials to "help change laws that foster hunger and violence," she said.

You can teach a parenting class, which could save a child from abuse, or help a homeless person or victim of domestic violence find a safe haven, or work with school officials to ensure that non–violence is taught to children.

The United Nations also suggests organizing a peace walk, visiting a hospital or nursing home, volunteering at a recycling center, planting a tree, or making a new friend. "Every little effort matters," said Crystal Klein, another participant in the "Equipping for Peacemaking" conference.

Peace–themed Bible passages, prayer, song, and worship highlighting the role of Christ and his teachings of healing and reconciliation are often overlooked as daily and weekly tools to create peace, Klein said.

Pray and act, and don’t feel that small efforts are not enough. Simple words and deeds often correspond to "huge biblical actions," writes Ray Waddle in A Turbulent Peace: The Psalms for Our Time. The tensions between peace and upheaval, violence, death, and eternal life define faith, Waddle writes. And our struggles to think and act in peaceable ways expose not only our frail humanity, but our link to Christ and redemption. "It solidifies us as Christians in what God calls us to do," Klein said.

Deanna Larson is a feature writer in Nashville, Tenn.

RESOURCES FOR PEACEMAKING
The Decade to Overcome Violence (2001–2010) is an initiative of the World Council of Churches, a fellowship of churches from more than 120 countries. The DOV includes peacemaking activities, events, and resources for peacekeeping at: www.overcomingviolence.org or www.wcc-coe.org

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America offers peace program ideas, Web links to non-violence movements and organizations, and worship resources at www.elca.org/nonviolence. Check out the Social Statement of the ELCA, "Peace in God’s World," at www.elca.org/socialstatements/peace/

Make a peace pledge, read peace proclamations from around the world, download the free community education manual, We Want Peace on Earth, and learn how to throw a "peace party" at www.internationaldayofpeace.org

The Lutheran Peace Fellowship features advocacy and worship ideas, and excellent articles and resources for peacemaking; call 206-720-0313 or visit http://members.tripod.com/~lutheran_peace