| Peace Out! Week Thirty-four |
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Today is the Feast Day of Bishop Paul Jones,
a founder of the Episcopal Peace Fellowship.
In April 1918, the House of Bishops tried to silence a prominent Episcopal voice against World War I, Bishop Paul Jones. Jones, serving then-Missionary District of Utah, was forced to resign his post when he revealed his deep convictions about war, stating “I believe that the methods of modern international war are quite incompatible with the Christian principles of reconciliation and brotherhood…” However, Jones’ work for peace continued. He was a founder of the Fellowship of Reconciliation and served as its secretary for ten years. He helped found the Episcopal Peace Fellowship prior to his death in 1941. During World War II, he helped resettle Jews and others who fled Nazi Germany, and he argued for greater understanding in relations with Japan. His voice and witness are still missed, and his influence drives our ongoing commitment to non-violence. Join us in Essex Junction, Vermont, this Saturday to celebrate Bishop Jones life and prophetic vision. Details below. |
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"The day will come when, like slavery which was once held in good repute, war will be looked upon as thoroughly un-Christian. At present it is recognized as an evil which nobody honestly wants, but not yet has it received its final sentence at the bar of Christian morality. Only when Christian men and women and churches will be brave enough to stand openly for the full truth that their consciences are beginning to recognize, will the terrible anachronism of war . . . be done away.”
Bishop Paul Jones
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| Beacon Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Summit, New Jersey hangs orange origami peace cranes from their rafters, in order to commemorate the victims of gun violence in their community. Each crane has the name of a victim written on it, and each was lovingly crafted by a member of the congregation during social hour following their Sunday services. This is a lovely and impactful way to create awareness around the devastation of gun violence in our culture. |
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| Join us in Vermont on Saturday! |
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| Join the Diocese of Vermont at St. James Episcopal Church -- Essex Junction, Vermont on Saturday, September 7 from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. to celebrate EPF's 80th anniversary and the Feast Day of our Beloved Bishop Paul Jones! Current Bishop of the Diocese of Vermont, Rt. Rev. Tom Ely will be on hand, and a new Peace Pole will be blessed and installed on the parish grounds. We hope that you can be a part of this meaningful commemoration in celebration of our founding and our decades of social justice action! |
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| EPF is pleased to be a sponsor of this rally to end gun violence. Join us and say, "Enough" to the plague of gun violence in our country and to the lack of political will in our elected leadership to enact change that will keep us and our children safe. We are grateful for our EPF members in the Washington, DC, area, who are dedicated to supporting this event and encouraging others to attend. |
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Presiding Bishop Michael Curry
congratulates EPF on 80 years of loving action and witness,
declaring that our activity is,
"Nothing less than the work of God!"
Click HERE to give to our 80 day campaign! |
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| Watch this space for details on where EPF will be striking for climate change! It's not too late to organize your own strike event. Check here: www.globalclimatestrike.net |
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Our upcoming schedule:
Looking forward, EPF will be in:
Sept. 7: Bp. Paul Jones' feast day observed, St. James, Essex Junction, VT
Sept. 8: The Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Burlington, VT
Sept 15: Grace, Bath, ME
Sept. 25: Rally against gun violence, Washington, DC
Sept. 27-29: Drone warfare initiative, Princeton, NJ
Oct 13-24: Palestine
Nov. 11: EPF 80th Anniversary, Providence, RI
Nov. 21-23: Borderland Ministry Summit, St. Philip's in the Hills, Tucson, AZ
Dec. 4: National Vigil for All Victims of Gun Violence (TBD)
Dec. 22: National Day of Reparations (FOR) TBD
Are you near any of our planned stops and want to visit? Just shout! Someone in EPF national leadership is eager to be with you during our 80 days! epfactnow
Until next time,
power to the peaceful!
Melanie
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| Zinnias in Summit, New Jersey
"As I went walking I saw a sign there
And on the sign it said "No Trespassing!"
But on the other side, it didn't say nothing,
That side was made for you and me."
Woody Guthrie |
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