Let peace begin in central Pennsylvania | Social Views

People in our region and around the world are feeling helpless. Wars are raging and no one seems to be able to stop the innocent from being slaughtered.

From the Middle East to Ukraine to Sudan and beyond, brutality reigns. And what is most heartbreaking, nothing seems to be sacred. Children, the elderly, the weak and infirm are treated as little more than fodder for missiles and bombs. Even hospitals are battlegrounds where not even doctors, nurses and newborn babies are spared.

Amid this global mayhem, people are desperately trying to speak out on behalf of the people trapped by war that some fear will never end. Others are trying to bring people together, to share culture and common humanity in hopes it could lead to both peace and understanding.

For those looking for ways to do something, anything to bring people together rather than tear them apart, here are some recommendations in our area:

International Friendsgiving Feast:

This is the second year Church World Service (CWS) has sponsored its International Friendsgiving Feast to benefit people who have found a safe haven in our region from wars that forced them out of their own lands.

It’s a stellar opportunity for people in our region to taste foods such distant lands as Afghanistan, Ukraine, Central African Republic, Pakistan, and Syria. The foods are specially prepared by expert cooks from the regions and proceeds from the sales go to support refugees in Central Pennsylvania.

Organizers of this year’s event say it will celebrate Harrisburg’s recent women refugees by featuring their recipes in boxed meals that can be picked up on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023 in two locations – the Hadee Mosque, 245 Division St., Harrisburg; or Carlisle United Methodist Church, 233 S. Spring Garden St., Carlisle, Pa.

The second International Friendsgiving Feast is a way to help refugee families who are newly settled in our region but who still bear the scars of war. We encourage our readers to sample the cuisine and bring a bit of comfort to a refugee family trying to make a new home in Central Pennsylvania.

Voices for Peace

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community at Hadee Mosque is sponsoring “Voices for Peace” to unite the community in prayer at 6-7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023.

People of all faiths are invited to the event as the Ahmadiyya seek to build bridges among diverse people in our community. The Ahmadiyya are known as “Peace Muslims.” They know well the pangs of persecution, as adherents if their religion are victims of it in Pakistan and Afghanistan. Despite their persecution, the Ahmadiyya reject violence and seek to model the harmony and goodwill that are prerequisites for peacemaking.

Interfaith Prayers for Peace

The Pennsylvania Council of Churches and the World Affairs Council of Harrisburg are leading an interfaith webinar at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2023, to pray for peace in the Middle East, Ukraine, Sudan and for all people suffering the ravages of war around the globe.

Speakers from diverse faith groups will offer prayers and words of inspiration during the webinar and include:

• The Rev. Dr. Larry Pickens, Executive Director, PA Council of Churches
• Mark Dunmire, Baha’I faith community
• The Rev. Dr. Paul Amara, District Superintendent, Susquehanna Conference, United Methodist Church
• Imam Farhad Rana, Ahmadiyya Muslim Community
• The Rev. Amy Welin, St. Stephens Episcopal Cathedral
• Pastor Russell W. Goodman, New Branches Ministries

Representatives from the Brethren Community and the Community Responders Network will participate in the event. Invitations also have been sent to leaders in the Jewish faith community. The event is open to the public with registration.

The groups organizing these events are doing their part to create a more peaceful world, at least in Central Pennsylvania. Their efforts may not stop the wars or save a single child from the misery of bombs and bullets. But peace must begin somewhere. Why not here?

Joyce M. Davis is PennLive’s Outreach & Opinion Editor. Follow her on Facebook and on X @byjoycedavis.

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