Massachusetts Conference Edition
Return
to main page
Read
National Edition
Read the UC News Spotlight E-Newsletter
Return
to main page
Read
National Edition
Read the UC News Spotlight E-Newsletter
May, 2004
Look around Newburyport and surrounding towns later this month and you'll see bright-colored "Peace" murals, made by children, placed in front of buildings and attached to fences. Kids as Peacemakers, now in its fifth year, provides a way for young people to learn to live peace and make peace through art — cutting across religious and secular lines.
 |
Mural from
Brown School, Newburyport. |
Kids as Peacemakers is a part of the Dove Campaign, a coalition of community organizations and individuals committed to fostering a non-violent, "peace minded" environment for children. All houses of worship and schools in the vicinity have the opportunity to design and construct their own peace murals for display outdoors from May through Labor Day.
The Dove Campaign grew out of Bible study at Central Congregational Church, UCC, Newbury-port, from the parable of the sower: sowing seeds of peace.
A dozen children from Central Congregational painted a mural last year, assisted by the Sunday School director, and displayed it in front of the church. Altogether, 24 groups painted murals last year; 32 have committed to do so this year.
May, celebrated as Peace Month in Massachusetts, is the ideal time for children to plan, design and paint the murals. They are made on sheets of 4' x 8' plywood supplied by the project, and put up with display stands made by The Exchange Club of Greater Newburyport, one of the supporters.
"In a time when the images of war are so prevalent on our TV screens, the Peace murals provide a dramatic contrast," said Kent Allen, pastor of Central Congregational. "Driving the main streets of our city, it is impossible not to be affected by their message. The murals are a great reminder from our children, `there is another way.' Our hope is that this idea will spread and hundreds of communities will participate in this program that delivers a subtle but powerful message."
The Dove Campaign encourages individuals, families and organizations to implement effective ways of creating safe, nurturing communities in which children may thrive. Besides the mural program, Dove has initiated several successful community projects and events, including family play days, violent toy turn-in, a workshop on "Raising Gentle Children in a Violent World," and formation of a September 11th Community Response Team. Participating organizations engage their young people in discussions of peace, counteracting the destructive impact of violent media.
"We hope this program grows to the point that both residents and visitors come to view the murals as part of the beauty of our area," said Dove Campaign coordinator Merle Forney, a member of Central Congregational Church. He may be contacted at 978-388-3955 by those interested in the project.