Active for Peace and Justice group (APJ) meets on the 2nd Sunday afternoon monthly usually from 3:30 - 5:00pm, except during the summer months. We formed in February, 2003 shortly before Iraq was attacked by the US. We continue to work for peace and justice for all people, following the example of Jesus Christ. New members are welcome to join anytime!

Reading of 4,000 US soldiers killed in Iraq War, at FUMC, March 24, 2008 on YouTube
also on the Alt2war.org website

Corvallis Community Protest March of March 19, 2008 on YouTube
also on the Alt2war.org website

5th Commemoration of the War in Iraq, March 19, 2008

Words from Frank Shaw on PEACE AND JUSTICE SUNDAY June 11, 2006

Overview - ACTIVE for PEACE and JUSTICE Group - from June 2005 to May 2006

UMC-GBCS (General Board of Church & Society)
with links to the Natural World, the Nurturing Community, the Social Community, the Economic Community, the Political Community, and the World Community. Each year GBCS identifies the top UMC legislative priorities, following the examples of Jesus' teachings and ministry. The UCM 2007 Legislative Priorities are:

1. Support Comprehensive Immigration Reform
   
2. Expand Funding for Family Planning
   
3. End the War in Iraq
   
4. Increase the Minimum Wage
   
5. Reduce Gloval Warming Pollution
   
6. Provide Access to Primary Health Care for All

APJ initiates several petitions to local, state and federal government officials supporting the justice and peace positions of GBCS. These petitions may be signed by concerned FUMC members and friends at our APJ Justice Table in the library lounge, usually on a bi-weekly basis.

UMCOR (UM Committee on Relief)
The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is the not-for-profit global humanitarian aid organization of the United Methodist Church, whose mission is to alleviate human suffering-whether caused by war, conflict or natural disaster, with open hearts and minds to all people. UMCOR is working in more than 80 countries worldwide, including the United States, and responds to natural or civil disasters that are interruptions of such magnitude that they overwhelm a community's ability to recover on its own.

APJ has sponsored an Alternative Christmas UMCOR Mission gift each year.

The Peace Alliance - Campaign for a Department. of Peace
Since the beginning of our nation, individuals have attempted to create a Peace Department as a balance to the Department of Defense. In our era, legislation is introduced in every session of Congress to establish a Cabinet-level Department of Peace. The current house bill number is HR 808, introduced on February 5, 2007. The purpose of this Department would be research, articulation and facilitation of nonviolent solutions to both domestic and international conflict, providing adequate funding for existing and new programs to reduce violence in our culture. This legislation will only pass into law when enough citizen interest rises from the American people and they make themselves heard in the halls of Congress.

APJ supports the establishment of a Department of Peace.

EMO/ Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon
Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon advocates in communities statewide to create systems, institutions and public policies that ensure a life of possibility for all Oregonians. EMO's current public policy priorities include policies concerning hunger, poverty, affordable housing, work supports such as child care tax credit, farmworker needs, labor's right to organize, the death penalty, campaign finance reform, health care, discrimination and separation of church and state.

APJ supports many EMO justice petitions at our bi-weekly Justice Table in the library lounge.

ROP/ Rural Organizing Project
Started in 1992, ROP is a statewide organization of locally-based Oregon groups that work to create communities accountable to a standard of human dignity: the belief in the equal worth of all people, the need for equal access to justice, and the right to self-determination. Today ROP works with over 60 local community groups in rural and middle sized towns across all counties in Oregon.

APJ is a member of ROP, and serves as host site for their April 2007 annual caucus.

Alternatives to War
Alternatives to War is a Corvallis community peace group. Alt2War members sponsor an hour-long Peace Vigil and anti-war protest in front of the Benton County Courthouse every evening of the week from 5-6pm. This vigil began on the first day of US bombing of Afghanistan and has been ongoing since then.

APJ members participate in many of these vigils, flying our large Peace Dove, that we made of chicken wire, plastic pipe, and sheets, or holding signs stating 'Another United Methodist for Peace and Justice.'

Home