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       Extreme Poverty.
Child Mortality. Death by Hunger. HIV/AIDS.

Rev. Dr. Bob Edgar, General Secretary,
National Council of Churches USA

Eradicating Global Poverty.  The study guide, written by Lallie Lloyd, issues a challenge that will make us lose sleep. It tells of millions who suffer, starve and die for the sole reason that they live in crushing poverty. It breaks our heart with stories of children who die before the age of 5, young mothers dying in childbirth, millions burdened by HIV/AIDS and other diseases, all because of extreme poverty. And then it reveals a fact that's hard to grasp: all this suffering and death is unnecessary. Economists agree we have the means and the technology to eradicate global poverty forever. Individuals who read this guide will no doubt be haunted forever by one inescapable question: we can end poverty. But will we?

Rev. Kirby Lawerence-Hill, pastor of Warner Memorial Presbyterian Church, Kensington, Maryland:

The adult Sunday school class completed all six sessions of the curriculum on Feb. 26. Overall, the class, which ranged from 25-30 people, was very positive about the study. For the sixth session, instead of following curriculum, the class decided to focus more on Appendix C: “What Citizens Can do to Make a Difference.” The Rev. Lawerence-Hill said the class felt that after studying the lessons, they needed to focus more on actions to create peace in the world. “The study guide was received favorably and was a helpful resource,” said the Rev. Lawerence-Hill. “I would recommend it as a study for all congregations.”
 

Rhoda Stockwell, Des Moines United Methodist Church, Des Moines, Washington:  The Sunday school class is currently on Lesson 4 of the curriculum, “For the Peace of the World.” Each week the class size ranges from 12-20 people. Mrs. Stockwell said the Sunday school class found the curriculum to be very interesting and useful. The group is engaged in the discussions and very vocal about a wide range of issues in the study guide. After the curriculum is completed, Mrs. Stockwell hopes to form a Peace with Justice group in her church.
 

 Darlene Buss, Oak Harbor Lutheran Church, Oak Harbor, Washington:

 The church’s women’s bible study group started using the curriculum on Feb. 26 and completed the “Introduction”. Each week the group will rotate leaders to facilitate the discussion for each study session.
 

 Allen Holt, World Peace Makers/Covenant Community Church, a smaller community of the Church of the Savior Church (Washington):

 For one Sunday each month, starting January 2006, the pastor will incorporate each session into the worship service. Then the congregation will divide into “mission groups” or classes for study and discussion on a monthly basis. The sessions will run from January to June 2006.  Allen Holt believes that the curriculum is a great resource to churches in North America and is relevant to the times in which we are living.
 

Dr. Birch, retired pastor and member of Highland Presbyterian Church, Lancaster, Pennsylvania

The social justice group will begin a five-week curriculum study on “For Peace of the World" on Sunday, March 5. The congregation is politically diverse, so the study group will be led by a Moderator and will include two respondents. The moderator will lead the study and at the conclusion of the session each respondent will have 5-7 minutes to offer their perspective on the session’s theme and content. Then the session will be opened up to the entire group. The social justice group decided to take this approach because they are often viewed as the “left-leaning group” in the congregation. Therefore, in an effort to dispel misconceptions, the group decided to have a frank and open discussion where all opinions and perspectives are heard and respected.
 

Dana Jones, Presbyterian Church of Sewickley, Pennsylvania:

Dana Jones said his study group, which meets every Thursday, is currently on the third of six sessions. A group of 14 members, Jones said the group is “enthusiastic” about the study. He said they are following the curriculum and are “staying close” to the texts recommended in the study guide. “The guide has been very useful to us,” said Jones.