St Martin of Tours - Feast Day

St Martin of Tours is known as the first conscientious objector and a great peacemaker in the Christian church. His feast day of 11 November (or the nearest Sunday) which is also observed as Remembrance Day for remembering those killed in wars (it was called Armistice Day following the First World War).
Lutherans have had a long history of responding to the gospel call to be peacemakers. One of the initial motivations for the formation of a Lutheran peace movement in the US was the need to support those resisting the draft through conscientious objection to military solutions to conflict. LPF traces its roots to this movement dating back to 1940.

For more contemporary information on current issues relating to the military service, see LPF's resource: Youth and the Military

For further information on St Martin of Tours, here are several links:

Martin of Tours

St. Martin's Day

St. Martin — patron saint of conscientious objectors

Nov. 11 St. Martin's Day

SAINT MARTIN OF TOURS BISHOP, CONFESSOR—316-400

Self-Help for Activists + Peace Education for Teens: Two Noteworthy Tools

Is self-help something that activists are asking for these days? And what kind of peace education are we talking about for teenagers?

The two resources below will give you a wealth of “ah!” and “aha!” moments. There are so many approaches and ideas you can draw from for your own setting.

In the Tiger's Mouth: An Empowerment Guide for Social Action is a classic by Katrina Shields published in 1993. And it’s still the best step-by-step, practical guide I've ever seen for building sustainable organizations, groups, and activist lives. Newer activists will welcome the training to build their inner resources and effectiveness. Seasoned activists will be heartened by the advice on dealing with stress, preventing burnout, coping with bad news, developing accountability, and supporting allies and workmates. I loved the line drawings too, with their sense of humor. This book is a rare gem. And in the spirit of the “simplicity movement,” it reminds us to hone in on essentials.

Learning to Live Together is an intercultural, interfaith program for nurturing values and spirituality for young people 12 to 18 years old. LTLT also helps children to appreciate diversity and respect others. It's been used successfully in over 30 countries, including in conflict-ridden contexts; e.g. in Israel with young Jewish, Christian and Muslim Israelis aged 15-17. A charming 4-minute video explains more at www.ethicseducationforchildren.org. Follow the thread from “What We Do” to “Learning to Live Together” and “LTLT Documents,” to find manuals in various languages that can be viewed or downloaded.

-- Lily R. Wu, LPF Issue Communicator

World Food Day

World Food Day is celebrated every year around the world on 16 October in honor of the date of the founding of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in 1945.

LPF Hunger Resources, LPF Hunger and Development Links, LPF Advocacy Alert: 2012 Farm Bill

World Food Day Website
Wikipedia article
World Food Day USA Directory of Organizations
World Food Day Sunday Dinner
Bread for the World
ELCA World Hunger Program
Healthy food and food systems, Vibrant farms and rural communities
"Taking Root" five-part congregation education program on hunger.
Greenhorns - recruit, promote and support the new generation of young American farmers.
Via Campesina - International Peasant's Movement
Food First - Institute for Food and Development Policy

International Day of Nonviolence and the Birthday of Mahatma Gandhi

International Day of Nonviolence was declared by the United Nations to be marked on October 2nd, the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi, leader of the Indian independence movement and a pioneer of the philosophy and strategy of non-violence. Check out our video series on Gandhi's philosophy and its impact, this video series on Nonviolence for the Violent by Walter Wink, and LPF´s many other Resources on Nonviolence.

Women’s Equality Day - August 26, 2016

August 26 is “Women's Equality Day,” commemorating the 1920 passage of the U.S. Constitution’s 19th Amendment, granting women the right to vote. Now in our church we have an opportunity to join in on a study process for women’s equality and justice. The ELCA Task Force on Women and Justice: One in Christ invites individuals and study groups to take part in the 7-session “Faith, Sexism, Justice: Conversations Toward a Social Statement,” being sent to all ELCA congregations, synod offices, and ELCA colleges before the end of summer 2016. Why do we need to talk together about these issues? And what can a study process do?

The 7 sessions raise questions and highlight issues for a study group to discuss such as: How can we address violence against women and girls? Why do images and words for God matter? And how can we challenge the misuse of Scripture against women and girls? Your reflections, comments and questions sent in by the end of August 2017 will help toward developing a draft ELCA Social Statement by the end of 2017. The draft will be carefully examined at synod assembly hearings and other venues in 2017 and 2018. Then a proposed draft will be brought before the 2019 Churchwide Assembly for its discussion, debate, rewording, and finally its up or down vote.

You can download the 7-session study here entirely or by module. To view a timeline, brochure and additional study materials, visit the ELCA Women and Justice website. Taking part in this process could help you to:

1. Hearten the women in your church and community. Show your church as a place where women’s voices can be heard and respected.

2. Help equip and encourage men as allies. As the group identifies social norms and realities that are unjust to women, men can gain deeper understandings of how systems -- even the church -- have favored white men over women. Men of faith who listen and take action play a significant role in boosting justice for women.

3. Inspire all involved. Help release creative potentials for the cause of peace with justice, and to grow closer to the gospel ideal of community. Create a space where the Holy Spirit can work with us on these issues, locally, synodically, and churchwide. And remember, LPF Women’s Resources are available to you as well, for your women and justice studies!

-- Lily R. Wu, LPF Issue Communicator for the LPF Women’s Initiative

August 6 - Hiroshima Day

On this day we remember the anniversary of the atomic the bombing of Hiroshima, August 6, 1945.
We invite Christians to pray for peace.

From the LPF Archives

For People of Faith: AN URGENT CALL (2003)

Hiroshima-Nagasaki Day of Prayer for Peace, Bulletin Insert (2005)

Other Resources
Global Zero – A World Without Nuclear Weapons

Countdown to Zero

Animation of Nuclear History

Simplicity Day

“As you simplify your life, the laws of the universe will be simpler; solitude will not be solitude, poverty will not be poverty, nor weakness weakness.”
-- Henry David Thoreau

Simplicity Day on July 12th celebrates the birthday of Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862) who encouraged us to simplify our lives.

Here is a great video from this website on the "Story of Stuff" The Story of Solutions explores how we can move our economy in a more sustainable and just direction, starting with orienting ourselves toward a new goal.

Check out all our many other resources about this remarkable movement: Simple Living Resources from LPF