A Churchwide Special Sunday Of The United Methodist Church Changing the World, One Life at a Time. Peace with Justice Sunday “Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.” –Matthew 5:9, KJV

“BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS: FOR THEY SHALL BE CALLED THE CHILDREN OF GOD.” –MATTHEW 5:9, KJV

Your gift enriches peacemaking. People of all ages learn alternatives to violence; new resources foster global justice; and violence is stopped, and peace is restored. Peace with Justice Sunday, created by the 1988 General Conference, is one of The United Methodist Church’s six churchwide Special Sundays with offerings.

“Peace is not merely a distant goal that we seek. It is a means by which we arrive at that goal. We must pursue peaceful ends through peaceful means.... True peace is not merely the absence of tension: it is the presence of justice.” –The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Peace is…

When we talk about peace with justice, we focus on much more than the absence of war. Peace with justice means striving to live and work with people around the world - both those who share our beliefs and those who do not. It means advocating - speaking up - for others to free them from whatever prevents them from living full lives. Peace with justice means many things.

It means breaking down barriers so God’s children everywhere have access to jobs, housing, education, food, clean water and health care. We must do whatever we can to build a culture that welcomes economic equality, seeks peaceful resolutions, fights oppression and doesn’t pit one culture against another. Peace with justice means many things.

“It isn't enough to talk about peace. One must believe in it. And it isn't enough to believe in it. One must work at it.” Work for peace –Eleanor Roosevelt

As disciples, we should expect rejection and opposition. That is a sure indication that we are walking in the will of God. Peace must be translated --Tori Butler, Duke Divinity School

“Peace... must be translated into bread or rice, shelter, health and education, as well as freedom and human dignity.” –Ralph Johnson Bunche Peace must be translated

Peace with Justice Sunday calls for God’s shalom. Traditionally, we observe Peace with Justice Sunday on the first Sunday after Pentecost. However, congregations are welcome to celebrate Peace with Justice Sunday on any date that works for them.

Here are the dates. May 30, 2010 June 19, 2011 June 3, 2012 However, congregations may select an alternate date that works for them.

It allows The United Methodist Church to have a voice in advocating for peace and justice through many programs in the United States and around the world. Your offering reaches around the world.

“We have been implementing our programs and activities as planned,” said Frido N. Kinkolenge of the Peace Builders Club at the Brighter Future Children Rescue Center in Monrovia, Liberia. The project focuses on “training workshops, skill training, study sessions and discipleship from children to children. Your offering reaches around the world.

Here are some examples: Children from impoverished families, who often depend on school lunches, receive weekend food supplies. Former child soldiers in Liberia get counseling, education, medical treatment—and a chance for a new life. Homeless women benefit from a broad- based ministry that addresses their unique needs. Mentors nurture incarcerated youth and adults as well as their families.

Peace with Justice Sunday grants prepare the Democratic Republic of Congo for peaceful elections. Churches from diverse denominations cosponsor a peace fair. Summer camps for children and youth provide guidance on living peacefully and justly. U.S. pastors travel to Nepal to teach clergy about United Methodism. Youth learn alternatives to gang involvement and violence. Your offering reaches around the world.

Your contribution works in your conference and beyond. Half of the money stays in your annual conference for local ministries. Each annual conference has a Peace with Justice coordinator who networks with coordinators in other conferences across the connection. Peace with Justice coordinators meet annually for spiritual growth, empowerment and program resourcing. To contact your conference coordinator, go to Click on “Peace with Justice”; then click on “Peace with Justice Coordinators.”

You can give online! Go to and click on “Donate” at the top of the page to give to Peace with Justice Sunday.

Here’s how to order resources. Go online to and click on “Store” at the top of the page.

“Justice is conscience, not a personal conscience but the conscience of the whole of humanity. Those who clearly recognize the voice of their own conscience usually recognize also the voice of justice.” —Alexander Solzhenitsyn