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WAR-RELATED
RESOURCES
 Following
is the text of a recent e-mail from Lita Brusick Johnson, Director,
ELCA World Hunger and Disaster Appeal. All links will open in a new
browser window.
Bishop Hanson's pastoral letter and public statement on the war
Presiding Bishop Hanson has issued a pastoral letter and a public statement
related to war with Iraq. You are welcome to share it widely. You will
find both statements on the web at:
Augsburg Fortress providing free war-related resources
Augsburg Fortress is providing for FREE all of the new war-related resources
that were recently launched inside their "Ready, Click, Grow: Family"
offering on the Web. Check www.readyclickgrow.com
and look in the "News" box on that page. There you'll find
a link to the following resources:
- A Just War or Just War?
Talking with teens about the war with Iraq.
- A War Secret
We want to let you in on a secret about the war with Iraq! Post it
on your refrigerator.
- How to Talk with Your Kids about the War with Iraq
Questions and answers to equip parents to talk about the war.
- Kid Talk about Iraq
Here's an easy-to-use approach to talking with your kids about the
war.
- Let's Pray About the War with Iraq
Don't miss out on the opportunity to pray with your family about the
war in Iraq.
- Let's Talk About the War with Iraq
Use these agree/disagree statements to talk about the war with Iraq.
Resources available from our synod's resource centers
E-mail elcaresctr@lss-elca.org or call Marty Shifflett at 1-800-692-7282,
ext. 115, to borrow resources. Resources will be mailed to you at no
cost. Resources may be returned to the Harrisburg Resource Center (synod
office), the LUTHERCARE Administration Building, or via the U.S. Postal
Service.
- Peanut Butter and Jelly Kids
A 20-session course to help elementary children be kids for peace
and justice. Each session features activities, discussion, snacks
and worship. Published by Youth and Family Institute
- Healing our Anger - Seven Ways to Make Peace in a Hostile World
The author of this book, Dr. Michael Obsatz, shows how spiritual concepts
of grace, forgiveness, compassion, and justice can help us be peacemakers
in a sometimes hostile world. Published by Augsburg Fortress.
- For the Peace of the Whole World
Five Bible studies on just peacemaking. Produced by the ELCA.
- Intersections: Peace
This small group resource addresses the topic of Christian living
in a
violent world. Published by Augsburg Fortress.
- Shalom: The Biblical Concept of Peace-making
A Kerygma curriculum for small groups, this resource is an in-depth
study of the biblical concept of peace.
- Creating Circles of Peace: Alternatives to Violence
This kit addresses the concerns of parents, family members, and all
committed individuals who wish to take a stand for peace and justice
in today's increasingly violent world. Published by Families Against
Violence.
- I am with You Always
This video features Martin Marty talking with children about how they
can use their faith in times of fear and uncertainty, from acts of
terrorism in the world to dealing with the bully down the street.
- Caught in the Crossfire: Arab Americans in Wartime
Centered on New York City, where 9/11 directly affected Arab-Americans
in every walk of life, this video documentary puts viewers in the
shoes of America's newest "others". It weaves together the
tales of three individuals, each of whom, because of jobs or places
in the community, has recently had a particularly tricky road to navigate.
The stories of these characters and their families or associates create
a tapestry that conveys the Arab-American experiences today.
Other resources
The National Institute on Media and the Family has issued advice for
talking to children about war. Dr. David Walsh's "Talking with
Children about War" is available at http://www.mediafamily.org.
Disaster Alert - Iraq War Response
Please use this alert in your worship bulletins and newsletters to inform
members of this urgent situation. This text is also available now in
a reproducible format at
www.elca.org/dgm/disaster/iraq.html and was mailed to all ELCA
congregations the week of March 31.
March 27, 2003
Dear Pastor/Congregational Leader:
The war in Iraq is underway. As the bombing campaign and the ground
fighting intensifies, the humanitarian crisis facing Iraqi civilians
will deepen. Unless the war is very short, millions of people will experience
severe food shortages. Some will seek safety in neighboring countries.
At this writing, the extent of human need that will result from this
war can only be guessed.
Please invite your congregation to become part of a worldwide church
response to provide humanitarian aid-food and shelter-to people fleeing
the fighting. The ELCA is responding through Action by Churches Together
(ACT). Our partners in ACT include churches in Iraq and neighboring
countries, Church World Service, which has an extensive history of service
in the region, and Lutheran World Relief, which has sent health kits
and quilts for local partners to distribute to refugees.
Additional information-including worship and prayer resources is available
at www.elca.org/peaceandwar.
For updated disaster alerts as the situation in Iraq unfolds, visit
www.elca.org/disaster. Thanks for your help!
Lita Brusick Johnson
Director, ELCA World Hunger and Disaster Appeal
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