Be the Change: 9/11 Remembrances, The Ribbons of Hope Project and The Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations

One of my ongoing projects, the “BE THE CHANGE” series highlights people and projects that I encounter during my travels who are doing the hard work of changing the world for the better. Subjects are chosen by me with no committee or proposal process 😉 So if you know of a person or project that you think is doing something that is making the world a more just, compassionate and peaceful place, please feel free to send me a note or make an introduction.

[Artist Rendering by Bruce Rauffenbart]

With the 10 anniversary of the 9/11 attacks and a country still dealing with the impact of that day: socially, politically and theologically I am honored to feature the good folks at the Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations and The Ribbons of Hope Project in NYC. My hope is that we will continue to do the good work of remembering where we have been, taking a critical look at our activities and world and find ways to build lasting peace.  The Presbyterian Ministry at the UN staff members: Mark Koenig, Director; Ryan Smith, Presbyterian Representative to the United Nations; and Ricky Velez-Negron, administrative assistant.  Good folks all.

And now my “interview” with The Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations:

The Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations provides prayers, offers seminars, encourages participation in advocacy campaigns and other concrete acts of global discipleship, and shares educational resources to help Presbyterians (and others) live their faith in the global neighborhood – to “think globally, and act locally.” We  advocate within the UN system for peace and justice guided by policies of the General Assemblies of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). This involves meeting with representatives of nation states and UN staff members to share what the church has said on given issues. We advocate with partners in faith-based and secular NGOs.

Structurally speaking, we are a ministry of the Compassion, Peace and Justice Ministry of the General Assembly Mission Council of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).

The Ribbons of Hope Project is an interfaith initiative to mark the 10th Anniversary of September 11, 2001. Individuals in New York, across the United States, and around the world are invited to write prayers and messages of remembrance and hope on ribbons. The ribbons will be gathered and displayed in Battery Park in New York City on mesh panels over the weekend of September 9 through 11. On September 12, religious leaders of different faiths will dedicate the panels and a permanent location will be found for them.

Any color, length, or style of ribbon may be used. It is suggested that permanent markers be used since the ribbons will be displayed outside.

Several factors play a role in the Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations becoming involved with the Ribbons of Hope Project: we are located in New York—it is our community, it is where we act locally; the attacks of September 11 took place in the United States, but were global in impact–more than 90 countries lost citizens in the attacks; and the Ribbons of Hope Project is part of an effort to bring people together across our religious diversity.

The Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations recently provided an opportunity to participate in the Ribbons of Hope Project during a worship service we led at the Church Center for the United Nations.

Ten years ago, people wrote prayers and hopes and remembrances on ribbons that were collected and displayed in New York City. For ten years, guided by those remembrances, people have tried to bring those prayers into reality and to live into those hopes.

They can learn more at The Ribbons of Hope Project Website.

They can make ribbons and send them to Intersections International, 274 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10001. Be sure they arrive at Intersections by September 8th. Include your name and contact information, the name of your organization and any interesting story about making your ribbons that you’d like to share with others.

They can make ribbons and use them in their own community or place of worship.

There are many. The ministries and programs of Compassion, Peace and Justice ministries in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) are doing good work. Some of our partners in the UN community include:

• Givat Havivz – The Foundation comprises a community of supporters and activists who work to increase awareness of Givat Haviva Institute’s role in advancing Jewish-Arab relations in Israel.
• ECPAT – A network of organizations and individuals working together to eliminate the commercial sexual exploitation of children around the world
• UNICEF – The driving force that helps build a world where the rights of every child are realized. We have the global authority to influence decision-makers, and the variety of partners at grassroots level to turn the most innovative ideas into reality.  That makes us unique among world organizations, and unique among those working with the young.

The list goes on.

Thanks again to the crew at the Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations.  If you want to keep up with their work, please check out their blog, Swords into Plowshares, like their Facebook Page, follow them on Twitter at @PresbyUN or if you would like to support their work text “UN” to 20222 to donate $10 to the Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations.

You can also find more 9/11 resources for worship, discussion and interfaith dialog the Presbyterian Church (USA) September 11 Remembrance page.