Resolution

Resolved, that Country Club Congregational United Church of Christ now is and shall continue to be a Peace with Justice Church. We affirm the unity of the human community and oppose the use of nationalism to divide us. We reject the concept that whole groups of people and entire religions are our enemies. We affirm diversity as the best example of God's handiwork. We affirm nonviolent conflict as inevitable and valuable. We affirm freedom to travel, freedom of exchange of ideas, and freedom for open dialogue. We affirm the worldwide goodness of God's creation and deny that God creates junk. We commit our community to hone our existing skills and God-given strengths to encourage justice and promote peace. Be it so resolved this day, January 26, 2007 that we adopt this Peace with Justice covenant, so help us God.

Country Club Congregational United Church of Christ Peace with Justice Covenant

"For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace not be removed, says the Lord, who has compassion on you" Isaiah 54:10

Peacemaking lies at the heart of Jesus' gospel and is therefore integral to the living out of our Christian faith. We recognize that pain and injustice are a part of the world today; yet, we believe that God offers us peace. We believe that extending Peace to each other in the world is the heart of religion. We seek to be faithful to God's call to be peacemakers. We seek to advocate for peace and justice through our faith, following the example of Christ. We seek to engage all of the world's peace-loving religions to advocate peace and justice for all humanity by:

• Promoting human interdependence through economic, social, and political justice throughout the world;
• Loving and enjoying life in all its diversity;
• Working for a sustainable earth and proper use of God's earthly gifts;
• Challenging the values of our age that threaten peace and justice; and,
• Answering anger and resentment by seeking an equitable distribution of resources.

With God's help, and with the gifts of courage and caring which God has given us, we will answer Jesus' call to work towards becoming a peacemaking community. Through this covenant, we commit to:

• Train ourselves, through spiritual discipline, in non-violence;
• Seek knowledge about issues related to peace and justice;
• Work for a world free of war, mistrust, and hatred;
• Weave Peace with Justice principles into all aspects of our church life including worship, education, relationships with one another, and joint advocacy;
• Embark on a journey of Peace with Justice through an extraordinary commitment to advocacy and change.

Through the Holy Spirit, we experience hope. Hope is the energy that creates our courage to work for peace and justice through our covenant with God from the teachings of Christ. It is our hope and belief that peace is possible in this time.