Peacemaking Programme

About the Peacemaking Programme

Purpose of the Programme

The overall purpose of the Peacemaking Programme is: To develop initiatives, targeted at both youth and adult levels, to challenge, equip, and support members, congregations, presbyteries, boards, committees and agencies of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland to contribute more actively to a stable and lasting peace in Ireland.

The strategic aims for the Programme are:

• To increase acceptance within PCI that peace building and reconciliation are a priority in the ministry of the whole of the church
• To deepen understanding of the measures required for a stable peace and good relations by leaders and activists within PCI
• To strengthen the capacity and infrastructure in the Church to sustain long-term peacemaking activities
• To increase the number of PCI congregations developing on-going initiatives that will contribute to peace in society
• To encourage boards, committees and agencies within PCI to explore and make a commitment to their own contribution to community relations in this society

Structures

In order to challenge, encourage, support and resource peacemaking activity by the whole Church, various structures have been set-up to provide links between the central work of the Peacemaking Programme and both Presbyteries and congregations in the community. Two full-time Peacemaking Officers are employed to develop and co-ordinate the programme within PCI. They are based at Church House, Peacemaking Department.

Presbytery Peacemaking Agents are appointed to keep the implications of the Church's Peace Vocation before Presbyteries and support Congregational Peace Agents within Presbytery. Agents in several Presbyteries have set up peacemaking committees, brought together Congregational Agents and/or organized other peacemaking events. In some Presbyteries reports have been given regularly by agents, particularly after attendance at one of the annual peacemaking conferences. In 1998 the Peacemaking Panel brought a resolution to the Assembly, which was passed, requesting that Presbytery Agents report at least annually at their Presbytery meeting.

Congregational Peacemaking Agents work at a congregational level, reporting to Kirk Sessions. A resolution brought to the General Assembly soon after the adoption of the Church's Peace Vocation Statement, requested all congregations to appoint a Peace Agent. Approximately one third of congregations have done so. Congregational Agents are usual lay members and preferably - but not necessarily - members of Kirk Session or Committee.

Peacemaking Groups are voluntary committees that support the work of the Congregational Agent. It was recognized that one person being expected to keep before a congregation the challenge of peacemaking was difficult. Therefore, in recent years Peacemaking Groups have been encouraged and either formally or informally constituted.

Training/Equipping Peace Agents

Resources are available that define the role of Peace Agents at Presbytery and congregational levels, giving guidance and direction. There are other training opportunities through conferences, seminars and regional gatherings. The peacemaking officer (adult level) is also available to support and advise peace agents.

A Peacemaking Newsletter is produced 2-3 times a year with the latest news and events. Peace Agents are also kept up to date with regular letters from the Peacemaking Department. The Church's publications, The Presbyterian Herald, Wider World and Reach Out regularly feature the work of the Peacemaking initiative in PCI.