Report of the Task Force on Peace and Global SecurityIntroduction (Lee Sheaffer) Bishop Kammerer, Lay Leader Hardman, Bishop "Guest," and members of the conference, we are honored to present to you the report of the Task Force on Peace and Global Security. The Annual Conference in 2004 approved a resolution establishing a two-year Task Force on Peace and Global Security. The conference charged the task force to facilitate a conference-wide conversation on the issues of peace and global security. This was to help Virginia United Methodists be involved intentionally in the discussions and decisions about these troubling matters. Concerns about peace, war, and international security affect us locally, nationally, and internationally, as individual Christians, as congregations, and as a church. In our eight task force meetings, we listened to and observed what the rest of the world was experiencing, heard what Virginia United Methodists were saying, and discussed the implications of what we learned. Early in our conversations, the Task Force agreed that there was no real peace without security, and no true security without peace. Following an initial media presentation, we will invite further conversation by reviewing God's call for us to respond, showing what churches are doing today, and looking at where we can go from here. We must remind you that this realistic presentation may be disturbing for the very young. Part I: Conversation with the Wider World [Media presentation #1] [Brief silence] [Bishop prays-assisted by John Copenhaver in composing the prayer] [Media Presentation #2] Part II-Conversations: Called to Responsibility (Rodney) "God has charged us through the prophet Micah that we are to do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God--especially in light of the violence that plagues our world today. Furthermore, we are reminded by the teachings of Jesus that we are called to be responsible for the welfare of humankind, even the least of our brothers and sisters wherever they may be. A task force of the Council of Bishops, chaired by Bishop Timothy W. Whitaker, heard this call. They produced a study document they named In Search of' Security. This statement, in turn, called the greater Over the past 18 months, we established a foundation for open conversations in which we agreed to disagree with respect. We examined definitions of terrorism, and explored the relationships between biblical concepts that apply to peace and global security. For example, at one meeting, we formed into small groups of four, and were each assigned a role as either peace, mercy, truth, or justice. After talking among ourselves about the relation between these biblical truths, we had to physically position ourselves in relation to each other as a way of demonstrating the outcome of our discussion. It was a dynamic exercise. It forced us to reconsider how the different demands of these truths affect our worldviews. We also wanted to listen to the congregations of the Annual Conference and engage them in conversation about peace and global security. To do this we surveyed congregations from every district of the conference. They ranged from rural to urban, from small member to large member, from younger to older, and included various ethnic compositions. More than 500 individuals responded. Virginia United Methodists most strongly agreed on the overwhelming importance of global peace and global security for their lives. In the process of this listening, we also discovered that a variety of conversations about peace and global security are already happening around the conference, around the country, and around the world. [Media Presentation #3] Part III-Conversations: Responding Today (Marianne) As we face uncertainty and fear over the problem of peace and global security, we find that a number of Virginia United Methodists are already addressing the problems that underlie international conflict. Conversations and ministries have begun to establish understandings and foundations for security and enduring peace. -Some congregations have held interfaith peace festivals. There, participants celebrated their commonalties as people of faith and explored their cultural and doctrinal differences. At Otterbein United Methodist, Christians and Muslims broke bread together as a sign of their mutual desire for peace. -United Methodist chaplains are ministering in military, institutional, and commercial settings to bring support and hope to those where peace and security are in short supply. -Volunteers in -Methodists are responding to children's needs at home and broad. Virginia Methodists have helped renovate an orphanage in -Methodists work to soothe the hurt caused by natural catastrophes-tsunamis, earthquakes, hurricanes, drought-supplying the desperately needed relief that alleviates suffering and prevents the eruption of political upheaval. Although we have responded in many ways, the need is still great. And, the need is urgent. Let us press on. [Media Presentation #4] Part IV-Pressing On (Aldo) We are exhorted in the 12th chapter of Hebrews: "Therefore since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith..." The Task Force discovered a hunger among Virginia United Methodists for spiritual nourishment when it comes to peace and global security. We now invite you to join each other at the common table and partake of the feast that is provided for you. We suggest that you pay particular attention to the menu on the back of the report in your packet. You will see it as an invitation to "Dinner at the Peace and Global Security Cafe." Among the items listed you will find movies, rich program opportunities, a website for talking with people around the world, a website for a non-moderated Talknet on peace and global security issues, and a list of recommended publications. The menu is designed for you to partake in ways that best fit your congregation's appetite, whether you begin with an appetizer such as the movie "The Promise" and then skip to a dessert joining in the Talknet, or go straight to the meatiest portions with an entree, engaging in a program of study or interfaith conversation. This menu is soul food. The Task Force recommends that you use this menu to nourish you in your conversations on peace and global security. Conclusion (Lee) If we Virginia United Methodists are to succeed in influencing the discussions and decisions about peace and global security, we must move beyond ourselves, stepping out from our comforts and fears, stepping out in faith in the company of others. This will require conversations that call us to have open minds, open hearts, patience, and tolerance. It requires ongoing effort to reach the goal of peace and global security. This is a task our God sets before us. And, we believe that God enables us to carry it out with one another in faith and grace. Now that the Task Force has completed its work, it is our hope to have stirred you to continue the conversations we started. We have given you tools to carry out this task. In your packet we have supplied you with a coy of the Bishops' statement In Search of Security. You will also find a printed synopsis of the Task Force report called "Conversations on Peace and Global Security." That printed report includes the menu of actions you can take. We challenge you to carry on the assignment that the Annual Conference gave us. As you undertake this vital work, we urge you to seek God's guidance through prayer, to rely upon the reconciliation already effected by our Lord on the cross, and to call upon the Holy Spirit's assistance in moving towards that new Earth where war, bitter conflict, and suffering will be no more. Bishop Kammerer, we submit the report in its entirety for approval by the Annual Conference. Thank you. |