Upcoming Events
Global Discipleship
Promoting world peace
“If you want peace, work for justice” ~Pope Paul VI
Suggested Reading:
Half the Sky, by New York Times columnist Kristof and his wife, WuDunn, a former Times reporter, make a brilliantly argued case for investing in the health and autonomy of women worldwide. The authors reveal local women to be the most effective change agents. Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Dead Aid, by Dambisa Moyo – Explores why aid is not working and how there is a better way to end poverty in Africa.
Stones into Schools, by Greg Mortenson. If you enjoyed “Three Cups of Tea” – take a read of Mr. Mortenson’s new book about promoting peace with books, not bombs in Afghanistan and Pakistan and schools that have been opened in the past 10 years.
Discussion Questions:
Ask yourself or your friends these questions on the ride home from church, gathered around the kitchen table, or in your small group.
- When did I experience the Gospel verse, “for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me.” How did I feel about the experience?
- Consider the phrase “think globally and act locally.” Does an understanding of Fair Trade principles bring new meaning to this phrase? Reflect on items that you purchase today (coffee, tea, chocolate, home furnishings) that you might be able to shift your buying to fair trade products.
- What commitment have I made to relive the suffering of others around the world?
- How does the suppression of women in certain societies increase poverty?
- How do I steward my gifts in the global community?
Movie Suggestions:
A Small Act, from director Jennifer Arnold, is the inspiring story of the difference made by one small donation from a Swedish preschool teacher to an African student. That donation paved the way for a bright student with little hope beyond coffee picking, Chris Mburu, to go all the way to Harvard Law School.
After he found success as a human rights lawyer for the United Nations, Chris created a foundation in honor of his sponsor, Hilde Beck. Each year the foundation provides secondary education for some of Kenya’s brightest students, affording the students an opportunity to change the course of their lives.
What Are We Doing Here? Why Western Aid Hasn’t Helped Africa. A documentary made by the 4 Klein brothers from the Twin Cities who traveled across Africa to learn about the impacts of aid dollars and resources.
Websites to Explore:
Fair Trade Federation www.fairtradefederation.com: Membership organization that provides information for consumers and advocates on behalf of Fair Trade issues.
Catholic Relief Services www.crs.org: Globally promotes human development by fighting disease and poverty and nurturing peaceful and just societies.
Global Volunteers www.globalvolunteers.org: Waging peace by facilitating mutual international understanding through service projects.
Tiny Tim and Friends www.tinytimandfriends.org: Provides medical, educational, vocational and nutritional support for HIV+ and AIDS orphans, vulnerable children and pregnant women in Zambia.
American Refugee Committee www.arcrelief.org: Helps people in refugee communities in seven countries around the world survive conflict and crisis and rebuild lives of dignity, health, security and self-sufficiency
Family Activity:
Explore global discipleship through music! When we open ourselves to new experiences we open our minds as well…consider spending an afternoon at the new Musical Instrument Museum ~ The Greatest Museum you will ever hear! Here you will experience the world’s first global musical instrument museum. You will have a chance to see instruments from nearly every country and culture on Earth. The museum’s 14,000-piece collection features a wide range of instruments, including a 12-foot-tall double bass, a walnut used to make folk tunes in Italy, Hardanger fiddles from Norway, instruments native to Africa and South American, and the piano on which John Lennon wrote “Imagine.” Live performances by internationally renowned artists in MIM’s theater give guests an opportunity to hear music from every corner of the globe. You can learn more by visiting www.themim.org.