From January 13 through 17, 2009, at Arch Street Meetinghouse in Philadelphia, nearly 400 people from 48 Christian denominations and organizations, along with Jewish and Muslim participant-observers, met to participate in Heeding God’s Call: a Gathering on Peace. The gathering was hosted by the “historic peace churches” (Quakers, Mennonites, and Brethren) but strove to be widely ecumenical on all levels. Participants worshiped and worked together, under the guidance of the Spirit, to develop new bonds, new ideas, and new energy for the work of building peace in themselves, their cities, the nation, and the world. Gathering participants continue to report stories of personal change, convincement, hearing the God’s word with new ears and rekindling of passion of faithful justice and peacemaking. A Spirit-filled event, the Gathering encouraged new–and renewed– work for peace and justice and infused new energy and hope into the lives and work of many.

The “outcomes” of the Peace Gathering were documented in 21 Statements of Witness and Call to Action. Participants identified these 21 areas in which they felt God’s call to new and renewed prophetic witness and collaborative action. These 21 Calls Action (attached) became the starting point for the further work of the PYM Peace and Concerns Standing Committee