About our group: keeping it relevant

Started in 2005 as Faith in Action, Calvary friends and members have considered current issues as they relate to faith.

Emerging as Peace, Justice and Mercy, the new 2010 name reflects a focus on emphases and structure. Through education, forums will present the pros and cons of peace/justice issues. The groups will serve as a clearing house for dissemination of information on important topics. Action-oriented interest groups will focus on specific concerns. These groups are open to all; participants will plan and implement plans on their own congruent with personal commitment rather than church-sponsored.

A biblical foundation undergirds us. As a congregation, we may not always agree on the "how" of living out the gospel, but we do want to live out our faith in the area of peace and justice social issues. Being Christian means being "Christ like"—something even those in Jesus’ day didn’t agree on. Justice for the poor, the widow, the stranger, the orphan and any of the disinherited is a major message in both the Old and New Testaments.

The words of Micah 6:8 motivate us, "What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?" Living out the gospel does not just mean evangelism in regard to personal lives, but working for peace, justice and mercy with compassion as we attempt to bring about change that serves the disinherited. Our focus is not judgment but compassion and presence. The God of the Bible is always personal but never private, political and always passionate about justice.

Our task is to re-establish realistic priorities and the goals of education, information sharing and action related to the needs of people in our own communities first of all and then perhaps beyond that to broader issues. We will keep you informed. You are invited to join with the Steering Committee in periodic planning meetings and/or in whatever activities planned to educate or motivate. We welcome ideas from all Calvary folks who see particular social needs they hope to have addressed. All are welcome to attend the meetings at Calvary.

Questions? Interested? Contact Gordon Kieft.

Past projects

Hands and Words Project—A continuing program of compassion and nonviolence where participants pledge, "I will not use my hands or my words for hurting myself or others." FIA is working toward spreading this program to schools and youth organizations around the metro area. More information can be found at www.handsproject.org.

The Christian Considers War—This series helped participants learn about historical Christian views on war and its economic and emotional impacts. The series included a viewing of the documentary film Why We Fight, which provided opportunities to discuss how we respond to war and the military-industrial complex.

Eight Days of Understanding—To promote dialog with the Islamic community, Calvary and Muslim youth and adults viewed and discussed a film about Islam and Christianity. Dr. Mohamed Hamdy, Islamic studies instructor at Regis University and Colorado Muslim Society member, hosted a visit to a mosque to observe prayer service. Hamdy concluded this series with a riveting program on "Islamophobia."

Political and Economic Issues Education—Speakers on faith-based perspectives facilitated weekly dialogue on key issues each summer Sunday morning. Topics included Colorado ballot issues, election reform, climate change, energy conservation, immigration and Wal-Mart business/employment policies.