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''God of the past, present, and future, we long to see your 'kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven.' We long to see justice and peace in every corner of our lives and every corner of your world. Teach us to recognize even the smallest signs of your grace among us. Teach us to be faithful to our calling, so that in all we do we proclaim your coming. Amen." (Esther's Feast, page 52)

This summer, in gatherings, conferences, seminars and workshops, members of Presbyterian Women throughout the church have prepared themselves to teach and study Esther's Feast: A Study of the Book of Esther. As I listened to the news reports on September 11, Mordecai's words to Esther (Esther 4) that I heard so often over the summer were echoing in my mind: " . . . if you keep silence at such a time as this . . . ." Perhaps we were called for just such a time as this. The story of Esther suddenly took on a new and urgent meaning. The questions it raises became more immediate. How do God's people faithfully resist evil and promote peace? As women who are followers of Jesus the Christ, what do we say at a time such as this? What is God calling us to say to power? What is God calling us to do today, tomorrow and in the future?

At this time, it is especially critical for Presbyterian women to face the challenges that confront us-racial prejudice, gender conflict, violence, vengeance, the use and misuse of power and telling the truth to power-the same issues the book of Esther raises with such clarity. As women of faith, we must bear witness to God's grace in an increasingly violent world, stand firmly for reason and compassion, speak boldly to our sisters and brothers, and work steadfastly for a just and lasting peace throughout the world.

Prayer
"God of all life, give us the gift of discernment. Help us to distinguish between what is evil and destructive, and what is merely different. Teach us to live in the midst of the grace that you pour out upon your creation. Amen." (Esther's Feast, page 59) --Ann Ferguson, Presbyterian Women Program Coordinator

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance sent $10,000 to the Presbytery of New York City, $10,000 to Church World Service (the ecumenical relief agency of the National Council of Churches), and $10,000 to Church World Service's operations in Pakistan, where church workers are trying to help meet the needs of the millions of Afghan refugees who are pouring out of Afghanistan into Pakistan. Those contributions all came from the One Great Hour of Sharing offering. To learn more visit www.pcusa.org/pda for information on PC(USA) relief efforts and instructions on how Presbyterians can contribute to the relief work. To contribute through Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, make a check payable to Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), mark it "Account 9-20000157: Pastoral Care Work" and give it to your local church or mail it to Central Receiving Services, Section 300, Louisville, KY 40289. To make a donation using a credit card, visit their Web site at www.pcusa.org/pda or call PresbyTel at 800/872-3283. (Photo: Attock Camp, located near Islamabad, Pakistan.)

Information

PresbyTel, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)'s toll-free telephone information service, is open from 9:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m., et, Monday through Friday, to answer questions about the denomination's response to the events of September 11. PresbyTel can be reached at 800/872-3283.

You can also visit special pages on the PC(USA)'s Web site www.pcusa.org/crisis. The site has four sections: how to help, educational resources, worship resources and news. Each section includes links to other sites that have additional information on the crisis.

Officials in the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program and the Office of Theology, Worship and Discipleship have prepared new lesson plans for adult and children's church school classes continuing to struggle with the aftermath of the September 11 terrorist attacks on New York and Washington, D.C. Both lesson plans are now available on the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) crisis Web site, www.pcusa.org/crisis or may be requested by calling Martha Miller at 888/728-7228, ext. 5448.

The study session for adults is entitled "Hope from the Lord" and includes suggested scripture lessons and questions for discussion. The lesson plan for children, "Peacemaking with Children," includes a variety of activities designed to help children explore how God has created them all to be different and how to embrace those differences. Activities include games, artwork, Bible readings and the reading of the renowned children's book, Old Turtle by Douglas Wood.

We were on the last day of our Healing Retreat at Silver Bay, Lake George, New York on Tuesday, September 11 and I was at the front desk dealing with details for our day's activities. I could not understand why there were so many people watching television in the lobby on such a gorgeous day. Then someone told me about the events in New York and Washington D.C., and I joined the others in front of the TV.

The conference center's chaplain was out of town that day, so I offered to lead a prayer and memorial service. Two of our participants were professional musicians and they provided consoling music in addition to the prayers and psalms we chose. Somehow we managed to follow our schedule through the rest of the day. We anointed each other and felt blessed to be together; it gave us strength to travel home where we would each worry and pray for family and friends.--Helenmarie Sunkenberg, former PW moderator, Synod of the Northeast

National Council of Churches Office of News and Information Church World Service (CWS)-the relief agency related to the National Council of Churches-is preparing to shelter tens of thousands of Afghan refugees fleeing cities or trying to enter Pakistan to escape military action from the United States in the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in New York and Washington, D.C. It is estimated that about half of the population of Kabul (the capital of Afghanistan), Kandahar and Jalalabad have already fled.

Prior to this crisis there were already one million internally displaced persons in Afghanistan. The land-locked country was suffering from a three-year drought and the United Nations had already declared the situation in Afghanistan as the worst humanitarian crisis in the world.

CWS offices in Pakistan and partner programs in Afghanistan remain open with more than 300 staff and volunteers. CWS is the global humanitarian service and witness ministry of the (U.S.) National Council of Churches and its 36 Protestant and Orthodox member denominations.

An account has been established to accept financial donations to respond to this emergency. Mail contributions to Pakistan/ Afghanistan Emergency, Account #6930, Church World Service, P.O. Box 968, Elkhart, IN, 46515. Donations may also be made online at www.churchworldservice.org or call 800/297-1516 for information or credit card donations.

As I listened to news reports while driving to a planning meeting for the 2002 Synod of the Mid-Atlantic PW summer gathering, my initial shock gave way to speculation about who was responsible and why. My thoughts settled on the Middle East. Would there be blame and further misunderstanding?

Today, October 9, the United States is bombing selected targets in Afghanistan. I cannot predict what will be happening when Horizons readers receive this magazine. But, I can remind readers that Presbyterian Women is committed to partnership with the people of the Middle East, carried out, in part, by the 1999 PW Global Exchange trip. In addition to a visit to Detroit, which has the largest arabic community in the United States, the women visited five middle Eastern countries: Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Egypt and Israel/Palestine. The intent was to interact with women-church women, women in government and education, women in neighborhoods and refugee camps. After almost four weeks, 23 other participants and I recommitted ourselves to PW's purpose for the trip in our own words based on our experience. We affirmed that all people are created equal by God and that "a life of dignity, freedom, justice and peace is God's intention for every person." Furthermore, we said we would continue to study the issues we saw-health, civil rights and human dignity-and share "forcefully, bravely and honestly" what we had experienced in the Middle East.

As we struggle with what September 11, 2001 means to us personally, to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and to the world, remember: "Forgiven and freed by God in Jesus Christ and empowered by the Holy Spirit," Presbyterian Women is committed "to work for justice and peace." --Ellen S. Newbold, Chair, 1997--2000 Global Exchange Committee

Global Exchange participants continue to share their experiences and are available as resources to speak to your circle, Sunday school class or organization. For more information, see the March/April 2000 issue of Horizons, available from Presbyterian Distribution Service (PDS) 800/524-2612, item # HZN-00-210. To receive a list of Global Exchange participants, contact Cindy Goodman, PW program assistant, 888/728-7228, ext. 5387; CindyG@ctr.pcusa.org.

An African proverb says, "When elephants fight, the grass is trampled." After 22 years of fighting in Afghanistan, the mass exodus of impoverished families shows they know about being trampled. Although Heifer International has been providing desert-hardy trees, goats, cows and chickens to stable tribal communities within Afghanistan for several years, it was too dangerous to visit them this year. But last May, Robert Pelant went to the refugee camps Heifer International is helping inside Pakistan. "The suffering was heartrending," Pelant said, "especially in the unofficial sections of the camps that have sprung up recently." He saw families of 11 huddled in shelters made from rags and scraps of cardboard or plastic. "What aid they receive comes from a mishmash of sources, including tents from Japan and flour from the United States."

What can the U.S. do to overcome the tremendous hostility between this country and Afghanistan? Pelant says "Heifer International is on the right track when it helps individuals and families develop a sustainable income. Building relationships through this type of grassroots approach goes a long way. But we have to remember that the United States recognized the Taliban regime in 1996 because of our interest in a pipeline from central Asia to the Arabian Sea, to bypass the Persian Gulf. The general citizenry of Afghanistan has no idea of the depth of the Taliban and Osama bin Laden's infamy. A friend of mine in Pakistan suggested that the United States should air-drop pamphlets telling the truth about them all
over Afghanistan."--by Anna Bedford

Looking at women's faces is forbidden, but giving them a Heifer International chicken is not. Life is hard in burned and bombed Afghanistan, especially for women. Working through the Committee for Rehabilitation Aid to Afghanistan in neighboring Pakistan, Heifer International has provided 3,000 Afghan women with Fayumi (a sturdy local breed)
hens to supply eggs for their families.

To learn more about Heifer International and the aid they offer to women around the world, visit www.heifer.org or call 800/422-0474.

Here's What One PW Did

Utica's PW in the Presbytery, Synod of the Northeast, had planned their annual fall retreat for September 11--12 at the Presbyterian camp nearby. As is our custom, the women make full payment to our treasurer as part of their advance registration.

After viewing the horrible events on television we decided to cancel the event entirely. The camp director was gracious enough to accept only the down payment for our arrangements. The women then had the option of either receiving a partial refund or forwarding this amount for disaster relief in New York City. A check for $500, along with our prayers, was sent to our sister PW in New York City to use where they saw the greatest need. --Anne Reynolds, PW moderator, Utica Presbytery

God of infinite compassion, we give to you our anger and our fear, our feelings of despair and rage. Remind us that despite what may be happening in our world, you have not abandoned us. Call us to remember that you stand in opposition to injustice and needless suffering, wherever they may occur. Forgive our violent thoughts. Forgive our arrogance. Speak to us words of healing and grace. Use us as instruments of hope in these days of confusion and pain. If our nation engages in war, keep us from atrocities. Show us what you would have us do to be the light in this present darkness. We pray in the name of the one who suffered and died and rose to life again that all might have life. Amen. --Prayer written by Elaine McRobbie for worship at Bethel Presbyterian Church, Kansas City, Kansas, September 16, 2001

The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is committed to building relationships with sisters and brothers of other faiths. In response to an overture to the 211th PC(USA) General Assembly (97-2) to strengthen our ecumenical resolve by encouraging interfaith dialogues locally, regionally, nationally and internationally, particularly with our sibling monotheistic traditions, commissioners approved "Principles for Interfaith Dialogue" and encouraged Presbyterian participation.

1. Pluralistic U.S. and global societies are the context within which Christians relate to people of other faiths.
2. God is the Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer of our world. God's Spirit works in surprising places throughout creation and is found even among people who are unaware of the Spirit's presence.
3. We are called to work with others in our pluralistic societies for the well-being of our world and for justice, peace and the sustainability of creation.
4. In our pluralistic world, we confess that Jesus is the truth and the way; through him God gives life. Jesus does not point to truth but is the truth, in his person.
5. We are called to relate to people of other faiths in full humility, openness, honesty and respect.
6. We need to be equipped to meet others in dialogue and witness.
--Adopted by the 211th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (1999)

War memorial becomes a
makeshift tribute to victims
of the September 11 attack.

Before the events of September 11, our PW had scheduled a day-long bus trip to Canada. But due to the difficulties people were having crossing the border, we decided to cancel the trip. What a fortunate decision! Instead, our program coordinator arranged for a group of five local Muslim women to join us and a handful of guests for the day.

The Muslim women told us some of what it means to them to be Islamic and how grateful they were to be invited to share some time with us. All of them spoke to us briefly and then shared a meal with us, with one Muslim woman sitting at each table. They had many perspectives to share. One of the women owns a mortgage company and a real estate company, another works for the electric utility company and another is a social worker for immigrants. They each participate in a Middle Eastern women's group that has advisory board members that work for General Motors, American Express and other major corporations in the Detroit area.

The most poignant presentation was from a woman whose son was on the 64th floor of the World Trade Center at the time of the attack. She said that he is now home and having all kinds of flashbacks, including visions of a woman who didn't make it out of the building. We are meant to be peacemakers at a time such as this.--Marilyn Donnelly, Detroit Presbytery

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