Dear sisters and brothers ... : Letters link Colombia, Colorado churches

Mennonite Central Committee
Friday, 6 April 2001

AKRON, Pa. -- When Patrick Gillham read the open letter from Colombian Mennonite church leaders, he was moved by the urgency in their pleas for North American Christians to stand with them against violence and despair.

"I felt that the Colombian church deserved some kind of response," Gillham said. "If someone comes to your door, you at least need to give them the courtesy of a response."

The letter, distributed as part of an information packet from Mennonite Central Committee (MCC), motivated Gillham and his wife, Tammi Laninga, to talk to their fellow members of Boulder (Colo.) Mennonite Church. The church council decided to respond with fasting, prayer, donations -- and more letters.

Their letter to Colombian Mennonites offers encouragement and explains the actions the congregation is taking. "In learning of the difficulties and danger you are experiencing, we are called to unite with you," the Boulder church wrote.

The Boulder church is also sending letters to U.S. officials urging an end to the $1.3 billion U.S. aid package to Colombia, most of which is in military aid. The Boulder Mennonites say they feel confident in speaking out in part because of eye-witness accounts from their Colombian counterparts.

"I trust [Colombian Mennonites'] word more than those of U.S. politicians, and they are saying they feel endangered. We should respond based on what the marginalized people are telling us, not the powerful," Gillham said.

The information packet he received, including the letter from Colombian Mennonites first written in July 2000, is part of MCC's "Turning toward peace: dollars and letters for Colombia" project. The packet has background on Colombia and Colombian Mennonites' activities.

The packet also gives ideas -- based on Colombian Mennonites' suggestions -- for North American action, including the option of withholding income taxes and contributing this money to Colombian peacemaking efforts.

Gillham said he and other church members see the violence in Colombia as part of the U.S.-promoted global militarism. Conscious effort to expose the roots of this larger problem "are proactive and may decrease the need for providing aid after a war occurs," he said.

The Boulder congregation's commitment to fasting is tied to the Lenten season. Every Friday during Lent, members are encouraged to fast for at least one meal and donate money they would have spent on food in a special Sunday offering. On Easter, donations will be compiled and sent, via MCC, to support Colombian Mennonites' peace efforts.

"Our getting the letter during Lent is significant. We are fasting and praying as people awaiting resurrection, as people who are waiting for peace and justice to embrace -- and participating in bringing that about," Gillham said.

Church council chairwoman Susan Graber also noted that Lent is traditionally a time of repentance, an appropriate attitude for North American churches that have been silent too long in the face of their brothers and sisters' suffering, she said.

Graber described her congregation as usually very responsive to global peace and justice issues. Several members are active with Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT), an effort supported by peace churches including Mennonites. CPT has sent several delegations to Colombia and is considering supporting a long-term team there.

As a CPT reservist, church member Brian Ladd has protested U.S. military operations in Vieques, Puerto Rico, and is aware of many other situations of violence around the world.

"It seems particularly clear in Colombia that our nation is pouring a lot of money into actions that will just perpetuate the violence," he said.

The Boulder congregation is exploring ways to continue its response to Colombian Mennonites' call for action, and to place the situation in the larger context of the church's call to witness for peace. Some members are considering withholding all or part of their income tax and adding this money to donations.

Since announcing the two-year "Dollars and Letters" project early this year, MCC has received around $13,850 Cdn./$9,000 U.S. for Colombian Mennonite peacemaking. To order the "Turning toward peace: dollars and letters for Colombia" information packet, contact Titus Peachey at (717) 859-3889, tmp@mcc.org.

For more information, or to contact Mennonite Central Committee, see their website at: www.mcc.org