WCC-US Conference annual meeting: churches award peacemakers

The US Decade to Overcome Violence committee honoured five individuals and organizations from the Chicago area for their peacemaking efforts during the US Conference for the World Council of Churches Annual Meeting and Pre Assembly event.

"Blessed are the Peacemakers" awards are given to persons, congregations and groups that exemplify creative and courageous peace and justice-making efforts in the world. These special awards are given on behalf of the US Decade to Overcome Violence (DOV) Committee, made up of church and ecumenical representatives from throughout the USA.

Following a presentation by DOV Coordinator Rev. Hansulrich Gerber, the US DOV committee co-chairs Dr Jean Martensen and Dr Tom Paxson presented the "Blessed are the Peacemakers" award to the following recipients:

• Michael Terrien, founder of the organization Play for Peace;
• Melineh Kano, Program Director of Interfaith Refugee and Immigration Ministries of Illinois;
• Committee for a Just Peace in Palestine and Israel;
• The Interfaith Worker Justice;
• The Chicago Religious Leadership Network on Latin America.

The recipients expressed gratitude and excitement at the awards, mentioning that such recognition provides an excellent way for spreading information about their organizations and work. Further information about each of the awardees will be made available on the DOV website (www.overcomingviolence.org) and on our peacemakers Awards page.