Colombia Days of Prayer and Action

Peace with Justice for ALL Colombians | April 5-7, 2014

A place of diverse peoples, cultures and ecology, Colombia is tragically also home to the longest - running internal armed conflict in the Western Hemisphere.

For more than half a century, fighting between government forces, guerilla groups, paramilitary groups and now their descendant criminal bands has killed countless Colombian civilians and displaced millions. The Colombian government and the country’s largest guerrilla group, the FARC, began peace talks in 2012 in Havana, Cuba, and have reached agreement on three out of five agenda points. The U.S. government has made statements supporting the process. But that is not enough.

U.S. aid to Colombia, about $9 billion since 2000, has been overwhelmingly military. With a peace process well underway, more than ever we need aid for PEACE, not for war. The U.S. can play a positive role with regard to supporting truth, justice and reparations for the civilian victims of the decades - long conflict. To do this, we must stop the militarized aid that’s wrought so much havoc, and replace it with support for a sustainable peace process for all Colombians.

Colombians are calling for a lasting, inclusive peace. Now is the time to join them in moving forward — adelante — toward this goal!

April 6 is the Day of Prayer where congregations will join in worship with Colombian brothers and sisters who endure great suffering and yet respond in faith and sow seeds of peace.

April 7 is the Day of Action to witness and call for U.S. policy to promote peace and justice in Colombia.

Ways to Engage

Join hundreds of congregations in the United States and Colombia to pray and take action for peace in Colombia.

ORGANIZE -- Check out the Days of Prayer and Action Toolkit to organize your community. It includes an organizing toolkit and a worship packet. Adelante! Peace with Justice for ALL Colombians!

CREATE -- Organize a gathering with your family and friends and host a Paths to Peace craft night. Help us create maps with footprints symbolizing the many paths to peace and what peace means throughout Colombia’s diverse regions.Send messages of hope and support for peace by creating paper doves to symbolize the need for a just and lasting peace for all Colombians. Click here for instructions.
DEMONSTRATE -- Organize an Adelante! Peace with Justice for ALL Colombians event.By organizing a public event, you’ll help shed light on the longest-running armed conflict in the Western Hemisphere. With public demonstrations, we’ll expose an invisible crisis and fuel the movement for U.S. policies that would help end—not exarcerbate—the civil war in Colombia. Click here for more information.
DEDICATE -- Colombia's faith communities stand firmly for peace amidst grueling violence. Now they ask faith communities across the U.S. to join them in this year's Days of Prayer and Action for Colombia. Hundreds of faith communities will dedicate part of their worship service that weekend to praying and working for peace in Colombia. Click here to learn more about dedicating a worship service to Colombia.

More details to come! Questions? Contact Rev. Michael Neuroth.

Learn More about the Colombia Days of Prayer and Action

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Learn more about Colombia

“When I visited Colombia last year, I realized how beautiful this country is. Colombia is rich in culture and natural resources. I admired the work of local churches and community leaders who find ways to respond to the humanitarian crisis caused by decades of armed conflict… In accordance to our 24^th General Synod, we call our churches to support the humanitarian and peace work of our Colombian brothers and sisters. Days of Prayer and Action is a great way to get involved. Engage your faith community in this important event for peace in Colombia”. ~Mike Neuroth~

“Every year we gather and work in our local churches to raise awareness of the impact of the U.S foreign policy towards Colombia. Days of Prayer and Action has united our spirit for one cause and strengthen our relationships with the people of Colombia, to whom we know and care for”. ~Barbara Gerlach~

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