Horizons magazine is published by Presbyterian Women (PW) the national women’s organization of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
Issue link: http://horizons.epubxp.com/i/623149
January/February 2016 1 F o r a book whose primary messages are about finding hope and building peace, the Bible really has a lot of vio- l ence. Think about people in the Bible who play a prominent role in bringing us the message of everlasting life through God. If they didn't die a violent death (Jesus, for example), they dealt with vio- lence or the threat of epic violence. Take Moses, for example. He did not live in a peaceful home, learning conflict management skills by navigating inter- personal relationships with people of diverse backgrounds. Thanks to caring women, he was plucked as an infant from the river in which he had been placed to avoid being killed, under Pharaoh's order that all Hebrew baby boys be killed. He eventually led the Israelites (who have been described as "thirsty people behaving badly"*) through the desert to the "land of promise," but died before he reached there himself. Then there's Esther. Was she a wealthy noblewoman who became queen, then sat in a palace, enjoying luxury and universal adoration? Hardly! She was a Jewish woman who was chosen to be queen, then learned that royal advisors wanted all Jews killed! Violence in many forms (against entire races, sibling-on-sibling, cultural, physical, emotional) has been around since Cain and Abel. But it helps to remember that there are always those willing to speak up and end the violence. There always has been, and there always will be. We just need to follow the examples of Esther, Moses and our biblical ances- tors. When they saw injustices, they didn't get overwhelmed by the scope or persistence of violence, even when they were at risk. They looked around, l istened to others and had faith that they could help. They overcame mistrust of the stranger, fear of persecution and anx- i ety over their own shortcomings. They trusted in God to get them through their call to help others. In this issue, authors from around the world tell of violence in their areas. You'll learn about forms of violence that affect all people, but also unique forms perpetrated against women, people of color and other minority groups. You'll continue to learn about some of the areas PW has visited in Global Exchanges—India and Eastern Europe—and what forms of violence particularly affect those areas. But more than anything, in this issue, you'll learn how to faithfully respond to the problem of violence. There are net- works to join, resources through which to learn more, and there are actions to take. As Larissa Kwong Abazia shares, there's always a prayer to offer, in com- munity, in the knowledge that God is always with us. Notes * Judy Fletcher, Come to the Waters, p. 25 a b o u t t h i s i s s u e A Faithful Response to Violence t t t Circulation Information Letters to the Editor Send your comments to Horizons, 100 Witherspoon St., Louisville, KY 40202–1396; FAX 502/569–8026; or email Susan.Jackson- Dowd@pcusa.org. Due to the volume of mail received, letters may not receive a personal reply. Opinions expressed by individual authors are not necessarily those of the publisher. Visit PW and Horizons online Presbyterian Women • www.presbyterianwomen.org Horizons • www.pcusa.org/horizons Subscriptions To subscribe to Horizons, or if you have questions about your current subscription, call 866/802-3635, or visit www.pcusa.org/horizons. Allow 8–12 weeks for your new subscription to become effective. Moving? Send your new address (including your current Horizons label) to Horizons, P.O. Box 421, Congers, NY 10920-0421, call 866/802-3635, visit www.pcusa.org/horizons or FAX 845/267-3478. 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