Where can you hear from a true peacemaker in the Middle East, enjoy cutting-edge music, honor a beloved hymn writer and eat your cereal? You can do all that and more on Saturday, June 22 on Zoom at the Peace Breakfast of the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship. Held for every PC(U.S.A.) General Assembly for many decades, the Peace Breakfast will start at 8 am Pacific Time, 9 am Mountain Time, 10 am Central Time and 11 am Eastern Time. It’s strictly BYOB –Bring Your Own Breakfast.
“As PPF marks its 80th year of stirring up good and holy trouble, we’re eager to share with friends far and wide in celebration,” says Rev. Dr. Laurie Lyter Bright, Executive Director of the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship (PPF). PPF is an independent nation-wide community of Presbyterians who work on peacemaking concerns. “With all the pain in the world, it seems an odd time to celebrate. Yet we believe the commitment to peace rests in hope that resists, and joy that is too stubborn to be diminished. Whether you’re a Commissioner or an Advisory Delegate or a local Presbyterian, we hope that you will join us.”
The traditional GA Peace Breakfast has adapted for the hybrid needs of GA in 2024. The Zoom event is free. Register at https://bit.ly/peacebreakfast24
The keynote speaker at the breakfast is Zoughbi al Zoughbi, the remarkable peacemaker who has been at the heart of the Wi’am Conflict Transformation Center of Bethlehem, West Bank, Palestine since 1984. Zoughbi is a committed leader who has endured as a peacemaker, who loves and challenges his fellow Palestinians to seek peace and to resolve conflict with wisdom and honored traditions. He also brings an expansive view on the roles of women and children as peacemakers
Presbyterian hymn writer Rev. Carolyn Winfrey Gillette will receive the Peaceseeker Award of 2024. Given since the first award to Presbyterian Stated Clerk Wm. P. Thompson for his support for conscientious objectors to the Viet Nam War, the Peaceseeker Award celebrates peacemakers who lead, serve, inspire and take risks for the Prince of Peace.
Carolyn Winfrey Gillette has given the church over 400 hymns of lament, outrage and mercy; Christmas carols; and new words to older music to inspire action for peace and justice on behalf of all of creation. From times of gun violence to overcoming discrimination, Carolyn’s hymns offer the words that the church needs, always using familiar hymn music, updating the faith, song by song.
A local pastor, along with her husband Rev. Bruce Gillette, at the First Presbyterian Union Church of Owego, NY, Carolyn has been generous in sharing her gifts both in and beyond the church. She has contributed hymns and songs for national celebrations from Habitat for Humanity to the Humane Society of the United States and to congregations as far-flung as Cape Town, South Africa. Carolyn’s hymns appear in over 20 books, always linked to a scripture reference or to the Lectionary. PPF praises God who gives all good gifts, including the gift to the church of Carolyn Winfrey Gillette. See www.carolynshymns.com
But there’s more! Contemporary music at the Peace Breakfast will be offered by Matt Black, a long-time member of the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship community, fresh off the release of his latest album, A Little Closer.
So start your General Assembly engines at the Peace Fellowship breakfast on June 22! Gather as long-time GA followers or for your first time. Gather in the spirit of peacemakers who are spread across time zones and geography. Gather knowing that our many roads to peace lead to the same destination: God’s peace made manifest.
Founded in 1944, the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship is an independent community of over 3,200 Presbyterians who believe that Jesus calls the church to help reduce violence, war and exploitation. A non-partisan group open to all Presbyterians, many PPF members first became involved in peacemaking issues as Commissioners and Advisory Delegates to past General Assemblies. Learn more at www.presbypeacefellowship.org
