Ideas for Building Places of Peace

From September 2008 through January 2009, individuals, families, and congregations have the remarkable opportunity for their contributions to help create places of peace where disciples can come and experience the peace of Jesus Christ. Places of Peace: Russia to Ukraine, a designated giving initiative with a goal of $330,000, will assist in providing sacred spaces for three Russia and two Ukraine congregations to worship, provide social ministry, and experience the peace of Jesus Christ. Buildings will be purchased and converted into sacred spaces.

From the ideas that follow, congregations and families can explore ways of building places of Christ’s peace, as well as contribute money to Places of Peace: Russia to Ukraine. Feel free to distribute copies (either print or e-mail) to everyone in your congregation. The ideas presented here are guidelines that can be personalized to meet the needs of any audience. Explore your own ideas, then share your experiences with the Funding for Mission office — email us or call 1-800-825-2806, ext. 2407. We want to hear about your fabulous adventures as you build places of peace in your own congregational backyard!

Interactive Web Site

Learn firsthand how Community of Christ brothers and sisters in Russia and Ukraine are building places of peace. Click on www.CofChrist.org/designatedgiving and follow the links to see and hear their amazing testimonies.

Oasis of Peace CD

You heard this marvelous children's group at the 2007 World Conference. The CD will help ensure vibrant worship and make connections across the globe as we build places of peace with the Saints in Russia and Ukraine.

Worship

• Develop a worship service using crafts and visuals (such as a globe bank) connected with building places of peace in various surroundings such as your congregation’s neighborhood or other areas within your town/city. Songs like “Gather Your Children” (SP3), “Put Peace into Each Other’s Hands” (SP15), “We’re Singing a Peace Song” (SP19), or “Christ Has Called Us to New Visions” (SP38) from Sing for Peace, could be incorporated into the service.
• Hold a congregational Prayer for Peace for particular towns/cities around the world.

Offertory

Purchase or design a globe bank. Use it as part of a worship setting during the time the congregation is collecting funds for Places of Peace: Russia to Ukraine. Adults and children can place their Places of Peace: Russia to Ukraine offerings (as well as other Mission Tithes offerings) either inside the globe bank or in a basket placed near it. Once the congregation’s goal is met, hold a service to celebrate what’s been shared with our brothers and sisters in Russia and Ukraine.

Church School Classes

• Individual adult and children’s church school classes can design or purchase a globe bank. Use the interactive Web site at www.CofChrist.org/designatedgiving to allow class members to hear and see the awesome testimonies of their Russia and Ukraine Community of Christ brothers and sisters. Set aside time for class members to put their offerings inside the globe or in a basket placed nearby.
• To raise funds, classes might host a breakfast or dinner, garage sale, car wash, etc.

Families

• Fast from a meal out for four or more weeks, and contribute the money saved to Places of Peace: Russia to Ukraine. During that time, plan for a meal at home. Afterwards visit the Places of Peace: Russia to Ukraine interactive Web site to hear and see the awesome testimonies of their Russia and Ukraine Community of Christ brothers and sisters.
• Put a loose-change jar in a prominent place in the house where the family can collect change for donating.
• Celebrate an Allowance Day. Have family members contribute all or a portion of their allowances.
• Hold a family worship service centered on building places of Christ’s peace in daily life. Make a worship center using a globe, or visit the interactive Web site at www.CofChrist.org/designatedgiving.