Monday, June 25, 2007

An Opportunity for Action

Dear Friend,

Five years of war in Iraq have produced bloodshed, suffering and violence that have cost thousands of precious and innocent lives. The United Church of Christ is calling on its members and supporters to "join protest to prayer" by calling for an end to the war and promoting peace with justice. Please take action today by signing the petition to end the Iraq War.

Justified as a means to end oppression, the Iraq War has imposed a new oppression of terror on the people of Iraq. We've lost thousands of Americans to the bloodshed, and innocent Iraqi lives are forever altered by fear and violence. In our name human rights have been violated, abuse and torture sanctioned, civil liberties dismantled and lives destroyed.

It's time to end the war and to bring peace and justice in the Middle East.

Today, the Collegium of Officers released a pastoral letter at the opening plenary the UCC's General Synod voicing our opposition to the war in Iraq. We were supported by the UCC's Conference Ministers and Seminary Presidents who joined as co-signers. Now, we are asking you to join us, too, by signing our online petition.

Let us create an unprecedented faith-based movement calling for an end to this war, an end to our reliance on violence as the first, rather than the last, resort. Please sign the petition today.

Sincerely,

The Rev. John H. Thomas
General Minister and President
United Church of Christ