Peace Committee

The Peace Committee seeks to promote peace in our local and global communities through education, involvement, advocacy, and prayer, in response to the gospel. Chair is Russ Walker.

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International Initiatives

Malawi

Malawi is among the world’s least-developed countries. The economy is heavily based in agriculture, with a largely rural population. Malawi has a low life expectancy and high infant mortality. There is a high prevalence of HIV/AIDS. Since 1991, Pittsburgh Presbytery has had a partnership with the Synod of Blantyre in Malawi to share friendship and faith, and has now added South Sudan as a partner. The Peace Committee at ELPC coordinates the Malawi Partnership. Our congregation has had a partnership with our sister church Balaka CCAP in Malawi since 1995. Several members of our congregation have visited there and members of Balaka have visited ELPC. Our congregation has supported the Balaka church’s efforts to build a guest house, a Sunday school wing, and benches for the new church building. When members of our congregation have visited Malawi, members of Balaka have graciously opened their homes, lives, and hearts to us.

South Sudan

South Sudan is acknowledged to have some of the worst health indicators in the world. The under-five infant morality rate is 135.3 per 1,000, whilst maternal mortality is the highest in the world at 2,053.9 per 100,000 live births. In 2004, there were only three surgeons serving southern Sudan, with three proper hospitals, and in some areas there was just one doctor for every 500,000 people. Last year, members of the ELPC Peace Committee, Pittsburgh Presbytery and from the Malawi Synod spent five days meeting at the Sudan Presbyterian Evangelical Church (South). Members of the committee participated in the signing of the Tripartite Covenant for peace and an end to conflict in the region. We also Hosted Rev. Thomas Tut from the Evangelical Presbyterian Church in South Sudan at ELPC worship services and coordinated the Peacemaking Offering to go to relief efforts for families caught in conflict in South Sudan

Other

  • Pakistan – Gift to Memorial Christian Hospital and Forman Christian College

Local Initiatives

Gun Violence

One in three people in the U.S. know someone who has been shot. On average, 32 Americans are murdered with guns every day and 140 are treated for a gun assault in an emergency room. The U.S. firearm homicide rate is 20 times higher than the combined rates of 22 countries that are our peers in wealth and population. In response to gun violence, our committee has hosted forums to end gun violence with panels of elected officials and community leaders.

The Peace Committee advocates on behalf of peace issues as they arise. We do letter-writing campaigns and endorse/participate with other groups in working to transform conditions and relationships that threaten peace. Please join us at our bimonthly meetings to learn more about mission opportunities for peace and help us with projects throughout the year.

For more information about ELPC’s mission ministries, contact the Rev. Dr. Michael Daiz at MichaelD@coh.net at or 412.441.3800 x223; or Jen King at JenK@coh.net or 412.441.3800 x222.

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