On Earth Peace invites individuals to use this prayer sometime in September, or congregations to incorporate this meditative prayer time in their services on Sunday, September 19, or Sunday, September 26.  Feel free to change "us" for "me" depending on context. 

(Source for painting)

Illustration by Neil Jamieson for TIME

Caption: An artist's rendition of several Olympians competing in their respective sports for the 2020 Summer Olympics. 

Written by Cheylyn Grant, Racial Justice Organizer

Every four years my family and I, along with millions of other families, huddle around the TV to watch the Olympics. During the summer however, the TV is not on. Instead of watching the sports we admire, like soccer, skateboarding, or gymnastics, we do it ourselves and cheer for one another. We set the stage like any other sporting event: rules with an objective, consequences for rules being broken, along with winners and losers. That is what we would call a “fair game." 

Caption: Information of the event is shown, along with an image of a dove holding an olive branch to it's right. 

An event hosted by Beaverton Rotary Club Peace Builders Committee

Presented by Adam Vogal, President of the Oregon Peace Institute, this film tells the story of nonviolence, the greatest overlooked resource in human experience. Revealing the convergence of modern science and the world's great wisdom traditions, the film explores the important role that nonviolence plays in the wider struggle to develop a 'new story' of human nature, contrary to the 'old story' that scarcity, competition, and violence are inevitable. Rather, the universe is conscious and purposeful; we are spiritual beings, and cooperation and collaboration are our natural way of interacting. 

Written by Kharis Murphy, Communications Fellow

For over 40 years, On Earth Peace has nourished our connection with the Church of the Brethren. Last month OEP was proud to continue this legacy and be a force for peace, justice, and inclusion by participating in the Church of the Brethren’s first ever virtual Annual Conference. Staff members, fellows, interns (both current and alumni), and supporters presented and participated in conference events, including six insight sessions hosted by OEP and a Q & A session focused around the work of OEP as an agency of the Church of the Brethren. Through those sessions, OEP was able to reach almost 300 participants who attended the sessions and were able to support each other on their journeys towards being leaders in peace and justice.

(Picture from https://educatingfordemocracy.education.virginia.edu/)

Written by Hadil Alhayek, Children's Formation Organizer

In October, On Earth Peace will be launching its seminar series “Children as Peacebuilders: Equipping Resilient Leaders.” Starting October 2nd, the seminars will invite parents and educators from all around the US to address common, and sensitive topics that their kids are exposed to now more than ever surrounding justice and inclusion. Nowadays, it is important to raise kids that are understanding, inclusive, and respectful of their peers' differences and uniqueness. It’s also important to teach them ways in which they can respect their own differences.

Furthermore, the series plans to address other related topics such as bullying, military recruiting, and more! The series invites parents and caregivers to talk about ways in which topics such as racial justice, LGBTQ+ justice, migrant justice, and many other important topics can be addressed! OEP will host speakers and psychologists that specialize in children development to discuss the safest and most efficient methods of how we can raise healthy children that are compassionate, caring, and inclusive of others.

To join our email list for the series, please click here!