It is the calling of the church in every age and place to bear witness by word and deed to the Biblical vision of Peace on Earth. THEREFORE, we…
as members of the First Congregational Church of the United Church of Christ, Boulder, covenant together and with God to become a Just Peace Church.
Proposal Adopted at the Annual Meeting of the First Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, Boulder, on Wednesday, January 24, 1990.
In our desire for Just Peace we believe:
Just peace is the prophetic vision of Shalom as a time of communal well-being, healing and wholeness, when peace and justice are one and all dwell secure from want;
Just peace is the force and vision that move human history and are inspired by the reconciling action of a God fully engaged in human events;
Conflict is a normal and healthy reflection of human diversity, but violence can and must continually be reduced;
Non-violence is a Christian response to violence and a Christian means of reconciliation that has been shown to us by Jesus but barely explored.
In our desire for Just Peace we affirm:
Our loyalty to God and to the whole human community and oppose any use of nationalism or religion that divides this covenant of friendship;
Our conviction that international structures of friendship, justice and common security are necessary and possible for eliminating the institution of war;
Our desire that all nations should join in an effort to ensure that people everywhere can meet their basic needs for food and clean water, health care, decent housing, adequate employment, basic education, participation in community decision-making and the political process, freedom of worship and religious expression, protection from torture, and protection of rights without regard to race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, or national or social origin;
And our hope for a global community in which all nations provide freedom of travel; free exchange of ideas and open dialogue; scientific, cultural, and religious exchange; and public education that fairly portrays other nations, resists enemy stereotypes, and advances training in foreign languages.
And in our desire for Just Peace we support:
An international ban on the development, testing, use, and possession of nuclear, biochemical, and any other weapons of mass destruction;
The United Nations and the strengthening of its authority in resolving disputes among nations, in maintaining and deploying its peacekeeping forces, and in developing peacemaking teams trained in conflict resolution;
- Laws that both protect the earth and its environment and entitle all peoples to a fair share of its resources,
- International covenants and conventions that seek to implement the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
In fidelity to this covenant we will endeavor to understand and will respect individuals and groups of our congregation who out of conscience give substance to this covenant through their specific actions in behalf of justice and peace.
Options for Individual or Group Action in Behalf of Justice and Peace
Spiritual Witness
- Regularly during worship include prayers for justice and peace.
- Focus on justice and peace in a number of services.
- Gather materials and encourage Bible study and daily prayer on themes of justice and peace.
- Make justice and peace concrete expressions of God’s love both in the life of the congregation and in the daily life of individuals and families.
- Once each year reaffirm this covenant.
Education and Theology
- Design a just peace display to be part of the after-service coffee hour.
- For Lent and Advent develop themes on justice and peace.
- Establish a church constituency to follow issues that are most critical to the development of justice and peace and to alert the congregation to these issues through The Square Tower, notices on the bulletin board, and handouts.
- Provide opportunities for meeting with political office holders for dialogue and information on current legislation and on activities relevant to justice and peace.
- Hold forums to explore the implications for our personal and professional lives of our commitment to justice and peace.
- Offer a steady program of just peace education through the adult education program.
- Study the philosophy and accomplishments of those notable for their activities in justice and peace.
- Hold seminars on parenting for justice and peace.
- Periodically include at all levels of the regular vacation church-school curriculum a unit on themes of justice and peace.
- Create opportunities for an intergenerational sharing of ideas regarding our commitment to justice and peace.
- Hold forums to address opposing views on controversial issues of justice and peace.
- Sponsor participation in UCC and ecumenical seminars and workshops on justice and peace.
Stewardship of Resources
- Receive special offerings for Just Peace.
- Purchase items for church or individual use that temper our self-interest and convenience with the needs of justice and peace; e.g. use recycled paper wherever possible.
- Study and make decisions on suggested boycotts.