Have The Churches Retreated From Seeking Peace On Earth? (Part 1)

SACPA Thursday, December 22, 2005 Have Churches Retreated From Seeking Peace on Earth? While there are some important examples of the churches, or individuals in churches, vigorously engaged in social issues, most churches, parishes, or their members would seem to be indifferent to contemporary social, moral and systemic issues. Is this true or false? Some famous person whose birth is soon to be celebrated said, "Put your sword back into its place; for all who take the sword will perish by the sword." (St. Matthews 26.52) The churches in the 1960s were visibly engaged in the "peace marches" opposing nuclear armament proliferation. When the peace marches in Lethbridge took place two years ago, opposing the military solution in Iraq, there were few clergy or lay people from the churches present in the demonstrations. Are the churches still willing to engage in serious social/moral issues of our time, or has this ground been taken over by others? Speakers: Marie Moyer, a Mennonite and peace activist who holds a B.A. in Anthropology (University of Lethbridge) and a Bachelor of Theology from the Canadian Mennonite Bible College in Winnipeg. Rev. Kevin Powell, Pastor of the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd and a resource person to the Eastern Synod (Lutheran) working group; member of the Halifax Prayer Group before the Iraq invasion; member of the Ontario Interfaith Coalition against Poverty. Dr. Michael Kubara, Philosophy Dept. of the University of Lethbridge and a lecturer in Critique of Biblical Ethics with a special interest in Religion and Ethics. Moderators: Austin Fennell and Terry Shillington Location: Sven Ericksen''s Family Restaurant, 1715 Mayor Magrath Drive S. Time: 12:00 Noon to 1:30 p.m. / Cost: $8.00 includes lunch Visit the new SACPA website: http://www.sacpa.ca +++++