In 1981 the United Nations declared September 21 to be the International Day of Peace in an effort to give focus to those working for peace around the world and encourage ceasefires. In 2001, in response to an initiative from the World Council of Churches, the United Nations also declared September 21 to be the International Day of Prayer for Peace, recognizing the importance of prayer in bringing about peace.
The NC Council of churches encourages member congregations to acknowledge the IDPP with vigils, bell ringing, interfaith services, municipal ceremonies and whatever other creative observances you may come up with. The web sites below feature some of resources in thinking about how you might honor and participate in this important observance.
http://www.onearthpeace.org/drupal/
http://internationaldayofpeace.org/your_peace_day.html
Be sure to let us know about your plans. For my part, I’ll be speaking at an ‘IDPP Eve’ Community Peace Fair in Winston-Salem from 5:30 to 7:30 on Sept. 20, then leading a short worship service in the afternoon at the NCCC Board meeting in Greensboro on the IDPP, Sept. 21. I hope to get back to Raleigh-Durham to another service in Durham that evening as well.
We created the bulletin insert below for use in promoting the IDPP, and I will be happy to customize it in order to promote local events in your own community if you will send the details to me at dlamotte(at)nccouncilofchurches.org.
The bulletin insert is in a pdf format. To use it, print this pdf on both sides of 8.5×11 paper and cut it down the middle. The two halves of the full sheet will end up on the two sides of the half sheet. Please note that the web address listed on the flyer will lead to resources on the NCCC website that are not there yet (but will be, I promise!).
Peace,
David LaMotte
Program Associate for Peace
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