Picture from https://gaps-uk.org/uk-launches-new-national-action-plan-women-peace-security/

Written by Annabell Knapp, OEP’s Palestine Justice Organizer

Often when we think of peaceful leaders who practiced nonviolence, we think about individuals such as Nelson Mandela and Dr.King, and while the work of these individuals has been massively important, this immediate jump to men leaves out the important work of women in the field. Women have been essential to peace work and have helped to create a more peaceful society. In honor of Women’s History Month, I want to highlight important women in the peace work field and what they have done for the greater global society. 

Written by Jessia Avila, On Earth Peace’s Migrant Justice Organizer Intern

Women’s History Month invites us to recognize the suffering and honor the contributions of cisgender and transgender women. It is a time when both hope and despair collide. The words that follow explore the painful journey of transgender women seeking protection and the stories of two transgender women who lead and serve with dignity. Women’s History Month both reveals painful truths that go unnoticed and celebrates inspiring women, and we invite you to continue this conversation in an upcoming virtual event hosted by On Earth Peace’s Migrant Justice Learning Action Community.

Welcome

[Credit: Jyoti Sahi, Resurrection (Risen Lord, from a tribal Tryptich, 2007 Collection of the artist.]

[Source for image above]

Welcome to On Earth Peace’s 2021 Easter prayer and worship resource. You are invited to set aside time to engage this material with your mind, spirit, and body - to go away for a while as Jesus so often did. Take time to breathe, wait in silence, and allow these prayers to infuse and work in you.  Some elements may transfer well for congregational worship. Please email us at [email protected] to let us know how this prayer resource impacted you or your community.  

This page includes passages from Cliff Kindy’s book, Resurrection Peacemaking: Plowsharing the Tools of War: Thirty Years with Christian Peacemaker Teams and quotes from conversations with Cliff. Used with permission.  

Please join us on Good Friday (April 2, 2021) for an OEP Community Meetup with Cliff Kindy on the theme of Resurrection Peacemaking. Click here to RSVP!

Here are the highlights from the OEP community for the March 3rd PeaceBuilder:

• The Westminster Maryland Church of the Brethren, part of OEP’s vast community of churches, is running a March webinar series focused on Racial Justice. Running March 2, March 9, March 23, and March 30, the webinars look to highlight topics like healing the racial divide and racism in teaching and history. You can register here!
• OEP has signed onto Pax Christi Northern California, the World Council of Churches, and Soka Gakkai International’s joint interfaith statement in support of the work of the Campaign to Stop Killer Robots, titled "A Plea for Preserving our Shared Humanity." You can learn more here!
• OEP has signed onto CodePink’s letter to Lewis Hamilton asking him to boycott or make a statement at the F1 race in Saudi Arabia. The letter highlighted the Saudi-led war on Yemen, the treatment of Loujain AlHathloul, and the murder of Jamal Khashoggi. The letter was sent to his team on February 22nd, and  Middle East Eye covered the story.
• Tabatha Lanning completed her internship as Social Media Organizer.
• Priscilla Weddle completed her internship as Children’s Peace Formation Organizer.
• OEP welcomes Marilyne Njuraita as Social Media Organizer.
• The first two Training for Community-Based Responses to Asylum Issues took place on Monday, February 8 and February 22.
• Matt Guynn, Anna Rodriguez, and Cristobal Van Breen worked with five clusters of participants from OEP's fall 2020 Kingian Nonviolence Level One certification who are organizing local workshops as an opportunity to practice their skills and complete their certification. 
• Matt Guynn provided nonviolent strategy and campaign consultation with members and supporters of Hazelnut Grove, a tiny house village in Portland, Oregon, as they gathered petitions and negotiated with city officials about a possible imminent closure of the village. More info here. 
• Matt Guynn provided a Kingian Nonviolence session focused on the social dynamics of nonviolence for members of the Oregon Poor People's Campaign. 
• The Kingian Nonviolence Coordinating Committee met to discuss an emerging online toolbox for Kingian Nonviolence trainers. 
• Matt Guynn and Clara McGilly facilitated a one-hour Kingian Nonviolence session for On Earth Peace interns, focused on positive peace versus negative peace and the types and levels of conflict. 
• Emma (LGBTQ+ Organizer Intern) and Jessia (Migrant Justice Organizer Intern) hosted Coffee Hour with Migrant Justice and LGBTQ+ Justice on February 27 to build community and reflect on LGBTQ+ migration. 
• OEP held its monthly meetings of the Board and the Anti-Racism Transformation Team.
• Our executive director represented OEP at monthly board and steering committee meetings for the National Network Opposing the Militarization of Youth, Military Families Speak Out, and the Church of the Brethren, and the “The Reunited States: The Red and Blue Carpet Premiere” online event.

By Ari Murphy

International Women’s Day (IWD), celebrated annually on March 8th, is a day to honor and uplift the accomplishments of women around the world and raise awareness for issues facing women today. 

This year, the campaign theme for IWD is #ChooseToChallenge. In order to create change, we must challenge personal biases and structural inequality. We must call out those biases and inequalities when we see them in ourselves and in our communities.