CAAT Christian Network - Arms Trade Day of Prayer Liturgy and Resource Ideas - Sunday 12th June 2005 Introduction The focus for this year’s Day of Prayer is the impact of the arms trade on global poverty. We encourage people to make the link with the Make Poverty History campaign. Two-thirds of the global arms exports are to the developing world. Countries such as Sudan, Eritrea and Pakistan are spending more on arms than on health and education combined.

What you might do Using the liturgy of the day You may be able to use the liturgy of the day to mark the theme. 12 th June is also the Eleventh Sunday of the Year, the readings for the day are • • • •

Exodus 19:2-6 Psalm 99 Romans 5:6 -11 Matthew 9:36-10:8

Themes from the readings that might be developed: •

•

Recall the invitation to be faithful to God, to create a community that seeks to live by the covenant a community that remembers that all the earth belongs to God. Recall the compassion of Jesus. Who are the harassed and dejected in our world today? Where is compassion and justice needed today? How might we be called to ‘proclaim the kingdom of heaven’ in our world today… in the face of world poverty, the violence created by the global arms trade?

You could also include the prayers of intercession as set out in the vigil which is offered and the Pope John Paul prayer Cry for Peace.

Organise the showing of a video and time for discussion War No More produced by the Movement for the Abolition of War which features the arms trade. Comes with discussion guide. Available from MAW, 11 Venetia Road, London N4 1EJ Where is the Love produced by a community school in Docklands. Young people challenge the organisers of the arms fair at the Excel Centre. Available from CAAT. Organise a special vigil or service The Penarth CAAT Christian Network group provide a complete service that could be used as it is or adapted for your local needs. Other resources Use as a poem or song The Tide Turns by Sue Gilmurray (see attached ) This comes from The Way of Peace, a cycle of seven songs. Sue can provide free leaflets about this and the CD for £5.00 from Sue Gilmurray, 1 Wildord Drive, Ely, Cambs CB6 1TL email [email protected] Called to be Peacemakers: Pack with prayers, action guide and discussion materials. Free. Available from Fellowship of Reconciliation, the Eirene Centre, Clopton, Kettering, NN14 3DZ Matter of Life and Death: biblical Reflection on Britain’s role in the arms Trade by Chris Cole. Price £2.50 Available from Pax C hristi St Joseph’s, Watford Way, Hendon, London NW4 4TY. E: [email protected]

Service for the Arms Trade Day of Prayer Notes on use of the materials 1.1 Words printed in standard typeface should be spoken by a single voice. 1.2 Words printed in bold s tandard should be spoken by the congregation in unison. 1.3 Words printed in italics are instructions should be read by leader 2. If it is intended to invite a preacher, we suggest a sermon is delivered after the section on peace and before the intercessions. 3. Three hymns have been suggested – you may choose others which are known to your community 4. Acknowledgements: W e acknowledge the following published sources: CAAT website The Guardian Newspaper John Donne, Devotions upon Emergent Occasions, 1623 The SPCK Book of Christian Prayer, SPCK, 1995 The Holy Bible, New Revised Standard Version, Oxford University Press, 1995 Pope John Paul II Geoffrey Duncan, Ed., Timeless Prayers for Peace, Canterbury Press, 2003. John Bell and Graham Maule, Love+ Anger, Wild Goose Publications, 1997. Common Ground Editorial Committee and St.Andrew’s Press, Common Ground, St.Andrew’s Press, 1998

1. Gathering of the people A cross, either freestanding or on a table, should be placed in a position where it can be easily accessed by the congregation. As each person arrives they should be given a stone approximately the size of a large pebble.

Welcome to this annual service, arranged by the Christian Network of the Campaign Against the Arms Trade (CAAT). We are gathered here today on behalf of those who wish to see an end to the international arms trade. In our coming together, we will express our deep sorrow for the use of arms, sold by companies in the West to developing countries, many of which cannot afford to feed their own populations. As Christians from various traditions, all over the UK, we believe that God is a God of justice and of peace, who is dishonoured when we are unable to resolve international disputes by peaceful means. Hymn no. 1

2. Repentance

On 24th November 2004, an arms fair was planned in Jakarta, Indonesia. 250 companies from western countries agreed to take part, including Rolls Royce, a subsidiary of BAE Systems, UK. The Indonesian army had already used arms in Aceh, not to protect it from foreign invasion, but in a civil war, committing atrocities against civilians. CAAT 29 December 2004

One month later, on St. Stephen’s (Boxing) Day 2004, this same area was engulfed by a Tsunami of epic proportions, arising out of the Indian Ocean. An estimated 80,000 people in the province of Aceh alone may have lost their lives. The Guardian Thursday 29 December. The money spent on arms was now needed as never before, to help survivors to repair their lives. The British Government, elected by ourselves, promotes arms exports. It has apparently agreed to pay £1 bn to BAE Systems, which is under corruption investigation, in the event that the Saudi regime, which is one of the company’s main military customers, collapses. The Guardian, Tuesday 14 December.

Through the tax system, we ourselves are involved in arms exports.

grief stalking unnumbered homes:

“No man is an island entire of itself; every man is part of the main ….any man’s death diminishes me because I am involved in mankind, and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls, it tolls for thee.” John Donne, Devotions upon Emergent Occasions, 1623

Weep over us, Lamb of God. The sin of the world Alienation from thee Not just weakness But evil intention… O Lamb of God Take away this sin. George Appleton (adapted) in The SPCK Book of Christian Prayer SPCK 1995

Prayer of Confession The sins of the world, such dreadful sins, not just the personal sins but the solidarity of sin greater than the total of individual sins, nuclear evil in endless fashion O Lamb of God The sin of racial pride that sees not the faith that all are divinely made… that each is the sibling for whom Christ died O Lamb of God The burgeoning greed that never heeds the needs of others involved in a merciless system looking only at profit and dividend the lust of possessions that cannot accompany us at our last migration. Take away these sins O Lamb of God The massive sin of war… billions of pounds wasted on weapons, bombs… the hungry still unfed,

Let each of us reflect for a few moments upon this trade in weapons and acknowledge our failure to oppose it more strongly. Quietly and reverently take your stone and lay down your burden at the foot of the cross. Appropriate music may be played during this time, if desired.

3. Forgiveness O God, We see and hear, and do not understand We see and see, but do not perceive. Sharpen our memory, unlock our grief, teach us to name what is evil and refuse it: even when it seems normal even when it seems necessary even when it is commanded by religion; then, now, always. Janet Morley, SPCK Book of Christian Prayer.

It is Christ who says: “Your sins are forgiven” Amen. Thanks be to God .

4. Peace A reading from the Gospel of Matthew (NRSV)

‘Jesus ……taught them saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” ‘ Short silence: music plays, for example a Taize chant or something similar. Prayer - A Cry for Peace To you, Creator of nature and humanity, truth and beauty, we pray: Hear our voice. For it is the voice of the victims of all wars and violence among individuals and nations. Hear our voice. For it is the voice of all children who suffer and will suffer when people put their faith in weapons and war: Hear our voice When we beg you to instill into the hearts of all human beings the wisdom of peace, the strength of justice and the joy of fellowship. Hear our voice.

For we speak for multitudes in every country and every period of history who do not want war and are ready to walk the road of peace. Hear our voice And grant insight and strength so that we may always respond to hatred with love, to injustice with total dedication to justice, to need with sharing of self and to war with peace. Oh God, hear our voice and grant unto the world your everlasting peace. Pope John Paul II (amended)

Hymn no. 2

5. Intercession We pray for each of the women, children and men who have been killed or injured by weapons sold through the arms trade, or who live in fear because of them. Lord hear us. Lord graciously hear us. We pray for the people who finance, produce and sell weapons, that your compassion will touch them in their innerm ost being. Lord hear us. Lord graciously hear us. We pray for politicians that they will recognise and promote the intrinsic value of every person, no matter what their nationality, colour, religion or status Lord hear us. Lord graciously hear us. We pray for members of the military in all countries, that they will take personal responsibility for what they do. Lord hear us Lord graciously hear us. We pray for ourselves, that you will give us the grace not only to pray but to act – with thoughtfulness, courage and love. Lord hear us Lord graciously hear us.

6. Covenant A Silent Reflection Let us remind ourselves of the words of President Dwight D. Eisenhower: “Every gun that is made, every warship that is launched, every rocket that is fired signifies a theft from those that hunger and are not fed, from those who are cold and are not clothed” President Dwight D. Eisenhower, in Timeless Prayers for Peace

Please observe one minute’s silence A Personal Covenant Lord, with your help, I commit myself to oppose the trade in weapons and to work for your peace. Amen. Please observe one minute’s silence

Optional as poem/song The Tide Turns It used to be normal to buy and sell people, To use them as cattle, to exploit or to kill, As long as their skin was a different colour, And some even said that this was god’s holy will. And any who spoke against slavery’s evils Was told you’re a fool, that’s just the way the world’s made, But some had the vision And some had the courage To work all their lives to see the end of that trade. And then the tide turned, a new light dawned in people’s mind As the tide turned, although the change seemed slow, And so the world learned a lesson for all humankind As the tide turned and freedom could start to grow.

A Blessing Almighty and eternal God, who has entrusted the minds of women and men with the science and skill which can greatly bless or wholly destroy: Grant us also a new stature of spirit to match your trust; that we may use our many inventions to the glory and benefit of humankind; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen ‘A Peace Prayer from 1946’, source unknown, in Timeless Prayers for Peace. (Amended)

Hymn no. 3

Today it is normal to justify warfare, In spite of its evils that are clear to be seen, To talk as if missiles were agents of justice And slaughtering thousands could be noble and clean. The minds of the leaders seem closed to all reason, The weapons they wield could put the whole world to death. We talk of a vision of peace for our children And who is to say that we are wasting our breath? Because the tide turns, a new light dawns in people’s mind As the tide turns, although the change seems slow, And so the world learns a lesson for all humankind As the tide turns and peace can start to grow. Sue Gilmurray The Way of Peace: a cycle of seven songs

Suggested Hymns Hymn 1 The love of God comes close where stands an open door to let the stranger in, to mingle rich and poor: the love of God is here to stay embracing those who walk his way. The peace of God comes close to those caught in the storm, forgoing lives of ease to ease the lives forlorn: the peace of God is here to stay embracing those who walk his way. The joy of God comes close where faith encounters fears, where heights and depths of life are found through smiles and tears: the joy of God is here to stay embracing those who walk his way. The grace of God comes close to those whose grace is spent, when hearts are tired or sore and hope is bruised or bent: the grace of God is here to stay embracing those who walk his way. Source: John L. Bell and Graham Maule, Love + Anger, Wild Goose Publications, 1997. Melody: Melanie. Can also be sung to John Ireland’s Love Unknown. Hymn 2 We cannot own the sunlit sky, The moon, the wild flowers growing, For we are part of all that is Within life’s river flowing. With open hearts receive and share The gifts of God’s creation, That all may have abundant life In every earthly nation. When bodies shiver in the night And, weary wait for morning, When children have no bread but tears And war-horns sound their warning, God calls humanity to wake To join in common labour,

That all may have abundant life In oneness with their neighbour. God calls humanity to join As partners in creating A future free from want or fear Life’s goodness celebrating That new world beckons from afar Invites our shared endeavour, That all may have abundant life And peace endure for ever. Source: “Abundant Life”, in Common Ground, melody “La Grange” 87. 87. D. Can also be sung to “The King of Love my Shepherd is”, melody “Dominus Regit Me”. Hymn 3 Lord, your peace disturbs us more than any war, wrecks complacent living opens every door. Christ, your peace is given now that we may give to your war-torn people better ways to live. Lord, your peace condemns us for we have not seen how far from your set-up ‘Christian’ ways have been. Lord, your peace empowers us with sufficient right to reject all violence, seeing love is might. Lord, your peace inspires us calmly to engage in the roughest battles for a gentler age. David J Harding, in Geoffrey Duncan, Ed., Timeless Prayers for Peace, Canterbury Press, 2003. Tune: Dungarven- Christine and David Harding. Eudoxia 6565.