by: Kenn Spiecher, Peace With Justice Coordinator; member, Board of Church & Society (Virginia Conference)

Where can our war-torn world find peace? How can our nation and communities end violence? There are no easy answers. But I cannot accept that war and violence must always be with us.

As Christians and as United Methodists, we are called throughout the year to be peacemakers and to oppose war and conflicts. On Peace With Justice Sunday on May 31st, we join together to reflect on peacemaking, to invite folks into conversation about United Methodist beliefs, and to support ministries that work for peace and fairness around the world. It’s a day when the church speaks out against violence and inequality and renews its commitment to be peacemakers—just as Jesus taught.

To assist clergy, lay leaders, and all of the peacemakers among us, here are talking points, resources, and suggestions for Peace With Justice activities.

Talking Points for Peace With Justice Sunday

* On Peace with Justice Sunday, United Methodists come together to speak out for justice and peace.

* Grounded in our Social Principles, we are called to love our enemies, seek justice, and serve as peacemakers in a world longing for healing.

* Peace With Justice Sunday is a time to renew our commitment to transform the world by working across nations, reducing reliance on weapons, and addressing the root causes of conflict with lasting, just solutions. Congregations are called to: pray, learn, and act.

* Peace with Justice is a faithful expression of shalom in the Bible. It calls the church to strengthen its capacity to advocate publicly in communities and nations throughout the world. (2020/2024 Book of Resolutions, #5207)

* Your gifts on Peace With Justice Sunday support ministries that educate, equip, and mobilize advocates. 50% of this special offering supports local efforts in our Annual Conference; 50% supports peacemaking ministries and social justice grants in the United States and beyond.

* Through its work with the United Nations, the General Board of Church and Society engages in global conversations that advance just and peaceful outcomes.

* The portfolio of Peace With Justice activities changes as current events unfold. Recently they have encompassed a Christian response to the war in Iran, justice for occupied Palestinian territories, gun violence prevention, root causes of migration, and abolishing nuclear weapons.

* Together, through our shared actions and connectional efforts, we answer God’s call to be peacemakers — actively working toward reconciliation and enduring peace in every corner of life.

What Does Scripture Say?

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God.” (Matthew5:9)

“But I say to you love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:44-45a)

“Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.” (Psalm 34:14)

 “Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.” (Romans 14:19)

“Seek justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God.” (Micah 6:8)

 “Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed.” (Isaiah 1:17)

 “Let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.” (Romans 14:19)

“He shall judge between the nations and shall arbitrate for many peoples; they shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation; neither shall they learn war anymore.” (Isaiah 2:4)

What Does the United Methodist Church Say?

“The church deplores war and all other forms of violent conflict and urges the peaceful settlement of all disputes. We yearn for the day when there will be no more war and people will live together in peace and justice.

We reject the use of war as an instrument of foreign policy and insist that every peaceful and diplomatic means of resolution be exhausted before the start of armed conflicts. Similarly, we oppose the increasing reliance on preemptive strikes unless they can be clearly demonstrated to be proportionate in response, delimited in human casualties, and undertaken in response to clear and immediate threats to human lives. We grieve that in a world where so many live in poverty, governments continue to dedicate enormous resources to preparing for and conducting wars. We are especially distressed by the proliferation of nuclear weapons and call not only for an end to their production, but for their complete elimination.

Christians have struggled with the issue of war since the time of Jesus. Some Christians have argued historically that war and other acts of violence are never acceptable, while other believers have asserted that it is sometimes necessary to take up arms in self-defense or to defend the innocent and prevent unchecked aggression, tyranny and genocide…

As a church, we commit ourselves to support all people as they discern how best to model the nonviolent example of Jesus. The church supports and guides those who serve in the military; those who are conscientious objectors; veterans living with physical, psychological, spiritual, and moral injury; and families of people affected by military service. We urge the church to care and work for systemic justice for all people affected by war, and to advocate for peacemaking and nonviolent conflict transformation in global and local conflicts.” (Social Principles, The Political Community, War and Military Service)

What You and Your Congregation Can Do

* Include “Working for Peace” as a sermon theme on Peace With Justice Sunday. Find PWJ worship resource from GBCS here

*Offer a “Prayer for Peace” during worship and/or Sunday School.

* Begin conversations with congregation members about peace and justice, how these align with Christian and United Methodist teachings, and what the Peace With Justice program pursue these teachings.

* Invite your congregation to support the Peace With Justice Sunday special offering. May 30 is the official date, but each congregation can choose a Sunday that is most convenient.’

* Invite your congregation to connect with the Peace With Justice program and portfolio by subscribing here.

* Organize study groups or Sunday School classes to learn about peace with justice issues. GBCS offers Biblically-based training resources and seminars for this.

* Advocate for peace and non-violence with your elected officials. Contact the Peace With Justice Coordinator for more information.

* Consider holding a prayer vigil for peace on your church grounds or in an appropriate public sitting. Consider inviting other faith communities to join together for an interfaith prayer vigil.

* Apply for a grant for a Peace With Justice project in your community. These projects can serve many purposes: education, community service, assisting refugees & immigrants, advocacy, gun violence prevention, etc. Contact the Peace With Justice Coordinator for information.

Resources

Peace With Justice Sunday Supports – Starter resources, promotional resources, worship resources, age-level resources.

Pope Leo XIV’s “Enough Is Enough” reflection and prayer for peace, April 11, 2026. The Pope’s message speaks to all people of peace.

“How to Plan a Prayer Vigil in Your Own Local Area” (2026, planning guide from GBCS)

“Justice Takes Courage Podcast: Our Current Social Environment and its Impact on Peace and Social Justice (Episode 6)” (Bishop Julius C Trimble and Bishop Tracy S. Malone, April 2026, GBCS)

“Call to Journey, Call to Welcome: A Biblical Perspective on Immigration Emphasizes the church’s call to hospitality, blessing beyond borders, and faithful risk in welcoming the sojourner (GBCS).

“Kingdom Dreams, Violent Realities; Reflections on Gun Violence from Micah 4:1-4” (3-session Bible study, GBCS) .

Kairos Palestine: A Congregational Study Guide on Kairos Palestine II (A Moment of Truth: Faith in a Time of Genocide). This resource invites congregations into a sacred dialogue with the Kairos Palestine II document—a living confession born from the heart of Palestinian Christian suffering.

Bishops Call for Peacemaking in the Holy Land (November 2023)

Contacts for Peace With Justice:

* Colleen Moore, Peace With Justice Director, General Board of Church and Society

* Kenn Speicher, Peace With Justice Coordinator, Virginia Conference