Special Sundays - Peace with Justice Sunday - Overview

Annual Conferences in Action

 Southwest Texas Annual Conference

Peace with Justice Sunday - May 30, 2010 (can be celebrated at anytime)

"We are reaching everyday kids-usually very sensitive souls-and teachingthem to believe peace is possible."

Ever since attending camp at the Peace Center of United University Church in Los Angeles, Jessica has been better at handling tough situations. Instead of breaking down when someone hurts her feelings, the shy 12-year-old now knows how to stand up for herself and others. Jessica is a graduate of Peace Kids, a unique program funded in part by the Peace with Justice Sunday offering.

“Camp has been very important to me because now I know how to help other people and act like Jesus,” Jessica shared. “I tell my friends to be kind to each other, to teachers and to the Earth because we all should be peacemakers.”

Peace Camp director Susan Stouffer requested a Peace with Justice grant so no child who wants to attend the inner-city camp will be turned away.

“Peace is possible, even though often our society says peace is just pie in the sky,” she said.

In today’s economy, your contributions are needed more than ever so The United Methodist Church can help Jessica and others like her to learn conflict resolution, communication skills and mediation. They are the next generation to advocate for peace with justice.

Established by the 1988 General Conference, Peace with Justice Sunday supports programs that advocate peace and justice at home and around the world. Since half of the offerings collected by your annual conference is retained to fund local peace with justice programs, you can see a difference made locally. In addition, half of the offering is remitted to the General Board of Church and Society to help fund U.S. and global work in social action, public-policy education and advocacy.

To get involved, you can contact the Peace with Justice Coordinator in your annual conference, as mandated by the 2004 Book of Discipline. Additionally, you can give online to Peace with Justice Sunday at any time. Together, we can work together for a faithful and loving world for all and bring hope for our future.

To read additional stories of lives changed by Peace with Justice Sunday click here.