Peace & Social Justice
COMMITMENT TO PEACEMAKING
Peace & Social Justice Activities
THERE IS MONEY TO SUPPORT YOUR JUSTICE EFFORT
Fair Trade Coffee
CHARLIE JENSEN LECTURESHIP
Commitment to Peacemaking
Sunnyvale Presbyterian Church has been committed to peacemaking since the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program, a ministry of the General Assembly Council, was initiated in the 1980’s. The ministry engages in advocating for social, environmental and economic justice, supporting servant leaders and equipping Presbyterians for discipleship following Jesus. In celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Peacemaking Program, churches were asked to adopt or reaffirm the Commitment to Peacemaking. Sunnyvale was one of 4,500 churches that adopted the original Commitment and one of the first to recommit in 2005.
The General Assembly has affirmed in Peacemaking: The Believers’ Calling that God’s peace giving is central to the message of the gospel of Jesus Christ. The document states that:
- The Church is faithful to Christ when it is engaged in peacemaking.
- The Church is obedient to Christ when it nurtures and equips God’s people as peacemakers.
- The Church bears witness to Christ when it nurtures the moral life of the nation for the sake of peace in the world.
The full Commitment to Peacemaking document is available at this link to the Presbyterian Church(USA) website (http://www.pcusa.org/peacemaking/commitment.pdf).
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PEACE & SOCIAL JUSTICE ACTIVITIES
Activities of the church's Peace and Social Justice Committee include:
- Promoting participation in the Annual Peacemaking Offering - view a video about the offering, or read a letter sent to members and friends.
- Making available Fair Trade coffee, tea and chocolate
- Holding peace vigils
- Advocating for peace and social justice by contacting elected officials
For more information about the activities of the Peace and Social Justice Committee stop by the Write On! Advocacy Center located in Trinity Court after the 10 a.m. service or contact the Peace and Social Justice committee (below).
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ARE YOU INVOLVED IN A JUSTICE EFFORT? THERE IS MONEY TO SUPPORT YOUR CAUSE.
In 1986 the Sunnyvale Presbyterian Church Peacemaking Committee initiated a $500 scholarship to be awarded annually to a church member of any age who is presently engaged in or is actively planning to participate in a cause or course of study that will in some way contribute to peace and justice in the local, national or world community. The course of study may take the form of preserving human dignity, mediating differences, healing wounds, nurturing relationships, or maintaining the beauty and integrity of God’s earth.
The scholarship was named in honor of Helen Ramsburg, a long-time member of the church. Ms. Ramsburg followed a life-long pattern of interest and involvement in social issues and was very active in our church and peacemaking.
An application for the Helen Ramsburg Peace Scholarship is available here, at the WriteOn! Advocacy Center, or by contacting the Peace and Social Justice committee (below). Completed applications should be placed in the Peacemaking Box in the church mailroom each year by May 15.
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Fair Trade Coffee
At Sunnyvale Presbyterian Church we serve Fair Trade Coffee as part of the PC(USA) Presbyterian Coffee Project. Simply put, Fair Trade Coffee is a justice issue, giving a living wage to the people who pick and grow coffee. In addition the Peace and Social Justice Committee makes it possible to buy Fair Trade Coffee, Tea and Cocoa from Equal Exchange.
Four ways to Order Fair Trade Coffee, Tea and Cocoa
- On the first Sunday of each month drop off your completed Equal Exchange order form at the Write On! Advocacy Center located in Trinity Court after the 10 a.m. service.
- Complete an Equal Exchange order form and mail it with your check to:
Attn: Fair Trade Coffee Order
Sunnyvale Presbyterian Church
728 W. Fremont Avenue
Sunnyvale, CA 94087
- Complete an Equal Exchange order form and place it with your check in the brown envelope in the “Peacemaking” box in the church mailroom located at the end of the 200 Building (enter through the church office).
- Contact Judi Pogue to request coffee. Arrangements to receive your payment will be made.
You will receive an e-mail when your order is ready to be picked up in the church mail room.
Judi Pogue, Peace and Social Justice Committee
Email |
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CHARLIE JENSEN LECTURESHIP
The Mission and Service Ministry Area established this Social Justice lecture series to honor Charles Jensen. Mr. Jensen and his wife, Betty, became members of the Sunnyvale Presbyterian Church in 1977.
Charlie was instrumental in the formation of the Peacemaking and Social Justice committee at Sunnyvale Presbyterian and participated in the actions of that group until his passing in 2008. Charlie was an inspiration in the church, presbytery and the national organization as a leader in peacemaking.