Recognizing that Iraqi children will be at grave risk during a war
between the United States and Iraq, the school
obtained the names
and ages of children who live in Iraq as living symbols of our common
humanity and included them
on the pins.
Bishop Charleston continued, "These children are a constant reminder
of the inhumanity of war. By naming
them aloud, we seek to name the
truth of senseless conflict. We seek to put a face to helpless victims
at risk of being
dehumanized as 'enemies' who suffer only 'collateral
damage'. We seek to hold ourselves accountable for the pain and
suffering
we will cause in the lives of innocent children. By wearing
their names next to our hearts, we keep them in a state of
constant
prayer, asking God/Allah to protect them from harm. We also wear
their names as a pledge of our resistance
to war and a visible sign of our
dedication to peace. Will you join us?"
If you would like to wear an Iraqi child's
name pinned over your
heart, please contact the Episcopal Divinity School at
peacepins@episdivschool.edu <
mailto:peacepins@episdivschool.edu>.
You will receive a small pin with a child's name on it and a card with
this brief prayer:
"Oh God,
Oh Allah, in your great mercy protect this child from
all harm and grant to children everywhere the blessings of peace
now
and forever more. Amen."
"We hope you will recite this prayer each day as you pin your
child's name to your
heart," ended Bishop Charleston. "Together, through the power of prayer, we can prevent the tragedy of war and protect the
lives of the innocent. God bless you for being our partner in this witness."
To request a pin, please contact Episcopal
Divinity School at
617-868-3450, extension 377 or, via email at
peacepins@episdivschool.edu . Please include your name and mailing
address. The pins are free, although donations to help cover
production and
mailing costs are welcome and may be sent to Peace
Pins, Episcopal Divinity School, 99 Brattle Street, Cambridge, MA
02138.
Episcopal
Divinity School is a respected center of study and
spiritual formation for lay and ordained leaders with a strong commitment
to justice, compassion, and reconciliation. Formed in 1974 with the merger of Philadelphia Divinity School and the Episcopal
Theological School, EDS offers doctor of ministry and master's degrees, as well as certificates in theological studies. Located
on an eight-acre campus just a few blocks from Harvard Yard, EDS is a member of the Boston Theological Institute, a consortium
of nine eminent theological schools, seminaries, and departments of religion.
Mary E. Hunt, Ph.D.
Women's
Alliance for Theology, Ethics and Ritual (WATER)
8035 13th Street, Suites 1,3,5
Silver Spring, Maryland
20910 USA
301 589-2509
301 589-3150 fax
mhunt@hers.com
