United for Peace
 Currently the world’s peoples are suffering through almost 40 armed conflicts in 27 countries, child soldiers are involved in at least 17 of these conflicts, annual military spending is over $1.1 trillion, and there are over 600 million small arms in circulation around the world—one for every 10 people on the planet. The United for Peace Campaign was approved at the 39th General Council 2006 out of grave concern for the situation in Israel and Palestine. The scope of the campaign has been broadened by to also address conflict and the need to work toward just peace in Canada and others parts of the world.
A vital goal of the United for Peace Campaign is to raise $2 million over two years to support partner work for peace. Fundraising will augment the peace work that is already made possible through the Mission and Service Fund. This new fund will allow us to respond more quickly and effectively to requests received from our partners and enable partners to do more work toward peace.
92% of your donation will be received by partners of The United Church of Canada. Up to 8% of the funds donated will be used to cover education, advocacy, and fundraising costs.
At least half of the funds for grants will be distributed to United Church partners in Palestine and Israel working for peace. The other half of the funds raised for grants will be distributed to partners around the globe, including some in Canada.
As a community of faith, we are called to participate together with others in the struggle for the right to a just peace with dignity for all God’s people. The United Church of Canada is committed to pursuing peace and The United for Peace campaign is one expression of this commitment.
Buy a United for Peace Olivewood Pin –
at $30.00 each they will make a great Christmas gift.
(purchase after church or through the office)
$5.00 will cover the cost of the pin and you will receive a tax receipt for $25.00 which will go to the United for Peace Fund. A US$2.25 payment will be made to the Palestinian Christians in the Bethlehem area who are making the pins.
The Artisans: The skilled artisans working on this project were previously able to make and market their products fairly easily. Some were exported, and many were sold to pilgrims visiting Bethlehem itself. These sources of income are all but gone. Their new reality is the Israeli separation wall that passes close to each of their workshops. The income generated by the pins will be crucial for the artisans to provide for their immediate families, some 20 persons, and to assist their extended families and others in need where possible. Basic nutrition and health expenses and education fees for their children, in particular, will be met through the project. The fasteners for the pins will come from an Israeli workshop in Jerusalem, which the artisans see as “symbolic of the symbiotic relationship that can exist between Arab and Jew in the Holy Land.” The project is both a real support and a sign of hope for these families and their communities in Bethlehem.
Olivewood: It is important to understand the enormous importance of olive trees in Palestine. It is no exaggeration to say that they are considered sacred, that they have spiritual properties. People consider their trees as part of their families. This is part of the reason that the expropriation of olive groves and the destruction of trees is so horrifying and painful for Palestinians. 60% of the wood to be used for the pins comes from groves uprooted by the Israeli military for the path of the wall in the Nablus area north of Jerusalem. 40% comes from the careful pruning of remaining groves. There are projects to try to replant olivewood trees where possible.
|
