Lutheran Peace Fellowship

Lutheran Peace Fellowship (LPF) is an organization of Lutherans who work for peace and social justice issues. It includes members and supporters in all the Lutheran denominations and more than a few people from other faith traditions. LPF is a nonprofit organization supported largely by its members as well as a variety of grants and honoraria from workshops, events, and trainings. Although not an official part of the ELCA, it has received funding from various units within that denomination.

History and priorities

Founded in 1941, LPF offers a wide range of resources, workshops, support, and encouragement. LPF's main priority is to support effective peace education and advocacy by its members and local chapters, networks, and congregations. Membership is open to any individual, chapter, or congregation who supports the mission statement and vision statement of LPF (see below).

LPF periodically plays a significant role in the most pressing issues of our time. In recent years, these have included world hunger, landmines, and Senate ratification of the Chemical Weapons Treaty. In 1999, LPF's national coordinator served as US delegate to meetings in India to help plan the UN Decade for Peace. LPF's top advocacy priority is to end hunger and extreme poverty through such efforts as the ONE campaign and the Millennium Development Goals. Other issues include federal budget priorities, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, nuclear weapons.

Lutheran Peace Fellowship's national leaders facilitate an average of 100 workshops a year; local leaders an even larger number. Popular topics for LPF workshops include Current Advocacy Priorities, Biblical Peacemaking, Christian Peace Witness for Iraq, Nonviolence for a Violent World, Leadership Training in Peacemaking, and How to Be a Bridge in a World Full of Walls.

LPF is also well-regarded for its many peace education and workshop resources. For example, it is currently updating a series of computer-based education activities, one of which was chosen to be part of the largest critical thinking project in US public education. LPF's "Peace Points" series for youth and adult leaders provides creative, easy-to-lead sessions that have worked well with groups around the country. It also offers a thought-provoking deck of Peace Cards illuminating peace and justice insights.

The international LPF headquarters are located in Seattle, Washington and there are local chapters and networks in many parts of the U.S.

References

* Official website [http://www.LutheranPeace.org]

* LPF Mission Statement: Lutheran Peace Fellowship is a network of Lutherans around the world, responding to the gospel call to be peacemakers and justice seekers. Founded in 1941, LPF offers a wide range of expertise, encouragement, and resources in peace education and advocacy to individuals, congregations, regional and national groups.

* LPF Vision Statement: Lutheran Peace Fellowship is an international community of peacemakers, grounded in Christ, who seek peace according to the Biblical vision of shalom, peace with justice; who pray and work to eliminate violence, oppression, and militarism; and who are committed to nonviolence in our efforts to bring about justice and reconciliation.