Invitation to join
Episcopal Peace Fellowship
as a Peace Partner
in Prayers for Peace Sabbath!
The Most Rev. Michael B. Curry has endorsed the “Prayers for Peace Sabbath” organized by the Episcopal Peace Fellowship (“EPF”). You are invited to join this commemoration of our 81st year of social justice action and ministry. The kickoff of “Prayers for Peace Sabbath” is November 15, the Sunday immediately following November 11, formerly Armistice Day, now Veteran’s Day, which is the anniversary of EPF’s founding on November 11, 1939.
Enclosed here is a litany which EPF encourages you to use through the Season of Epiphany as part of your worship liturgies. We are grateful for the Presiding Bishop’s enthusiastic support and hope you will be similarly moved to pray for peace during these challenging times.
Your parish is also invited to join EPF as a peace partner in supporting the social justice and nonviolence work of EPF in the Church and in the world. Episcopal Peace Fellowship’s Peace Partner Network consists of individuals and institutions, such as congregations, dioceses, chapters and seminaries, who are seeking to grow their justice and peace ministries with the support of the Episcopal Peace Fellowship.
Historically, dues to become a congregational member of EPF have been $250 per year. This year, however, in commemoration of 81 years of social justice advocacy, we request that you commit a Sunday or series of Sundays through Epiphany to asking parishioners to make individual contributions to EPF. Designating EPF as the recipient of loose plate monies collected during services, if you are back to in-person worship, would be most appreciated. It is suggested that you use this link if you are still meeting virtually. The option remains for your congregation to contribute $250 to affiliate with EPF as a peace partner parish if that is preferable.
EPF will make available to you, in addition to the enclosed litany, a videotaped sermon from Rev. Bob Davidson, EPF National Chair, which will be available for broadcast during your worship services on November 15 or otherwise. His message makes a natural connection with a forum on social justice you may wish to hold. This combination is an ideal opportunity to evangelize about our Baptismal promise as Episcopalians to strive for justice and peace among all people, and to respect the dignity of every human being.
You will receive a Peace Partner Congregation certificate (suitable for framing) and the Bishop Paul Jones Icon poster, as well as our logo that you can use on your website to identify as a parish committed to working for Gospel justice. These symbols of your affiliation as a Peace Partner of EPF will be become familiar to members of your congregation and to those that visit your parish.
The following member benefits will be afforded you as a Peace Partner Congregation:
· A listing in EPF's Online Peace Partner Congregation Directory on our new website.
· Connection to a worldwide network of people and parishes dedicated to social justice ministry -- our Action Group networks -- which include Anti-Racism, Gun Violence Prevention, Abolition of the Death Penalty, Environmental Justice, Palestine-Israel Network, Gender Violence Prevention, Advocacy in Support of Refugees and Immigrants, and our longstanding Anti-War Efforts (including support for Conscientious Objectors, Abolition of Nuclear Arms, and Abolition of Drone Warfare).
· Access to the EPF Constant Contact account to send informative emails to large groups
· Consultation time with EPF’s leadership on your congregation’s peace and justice work
· A beautiful poster of the Bishop Paul Jones icon, a piece created by the Rev. Canon Robert Two Bulls for the Episcopal Peace Fellowship
· A certificate identifying your congregation as a Peace Partner Congregation
· Use of our logo on your parish website
· Weekly Peace Out newsletter, highlighting the work of EPF across the globe
· Access to our online preaching series, which is tied to the lectionary and will highlight our social justice ministries
· A visit from our Executive Director when she is in your neighborhood. She is available for leading forums, preaching, participating in demonstrations and witness, recruiting for new ministries, and educating people about our Gospel call to social justice advocacy
· Access to our curricula for certain of our social justice ministries, as you have a need for adult Christian education classes
We will be featuring our Peace Partners periodically in our weekly e-mail, Peace Out, and on our EPF Facebook page. Please send your news to us at epfactnow@gmail.com so we can help promote your congregation’s justice work.
From the National Executive Council of EPF, and our entire membership, we hope you will partner with us in our work for justice and peace!
Melanie Merkle Atha
Executive Director
epfactnow@gmail.com
