March 30, 2005

ELGIN, IL – In response to increased numbers of requests for information about how to counter military recruitment in high schools, On Earth Peace has scheduled a conference call for April 5, from 6-7:30 p.m. Eastern Time, to discuss the issue. On Earth Peace is a peace education organization in the Church of the Brethren. Part of its mission is to "empower people to discern the things that make for peace."

The purpose of the conference call is to bring people together who are concerned and working on the issue of counter-recruitment so that they can share experiences and ideas, reported Kim Stuckey Hissong, On Earth Peace program coordinator of Peacemaker Formation. Oskar Castro, program associate for the National Youth and Militarism Program of the American Friends Service Committee, will serve as a specially invited resource person to answer questions, provide guidance, and give up-to-date information. Phil Jones, of the General Board's Brethren Witness/Washington Office, also will participate. The conference call will be moderated by On Earth Peace staff.

"There is a growing movement in the country by persons concerned about the prevalence of military recruiting and the increase in JROTC programs in local high schools," said Hissong. "Counter-recruitment offers students different opportunities for post-graduation plans and helps students to see that information provided by military recruiters may not always be reliable and factual."

For the agenda and information about how to join the conference call, contact Matt Guynn at 765-962-6234 or e-mail mattguynn@earthlink.net.

In other news from On Earth Peace, the Church of the Brethren can now stay up to date on peace news with a new monthly column, "Living Peace Church News and Notes." The column sent by e-mail in PDF format will have information about topics of concern for Brethren peacemakers, announcements of upcoming events, and practical guides for reconciliation and peace work, and is intended for congregations and districts to include in newsletters and publications. To receive it, send your e-mail address to bsayler_oepa@brethren.org. Specify if the column should be sent to an address other than your own.

On Earth Peace's Peace Witness Action List, another e-mail service, provides positive news about creative nonviolence in the US and around the world. The list's 380 members receive 3-10 e-mails per week. To join, send your e-mail address to mattguynn@earthlink.net.

The Church of the Brethren is a Christian denomination committed to continuing the work of Jesus peacefully and simply, and to living out its faith in community. The denomination is based in the Anabaptist and Pietist faith traditions and is one of the three Historic Peace Churches. It celebrates its 300th anniversary in 2008. It counts about 130,000 members across the United States and Puerto Rico, and has missions and sister churches in Brazil, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, and Nigeria.

Church of the Brethren Newsline