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Adam Bray's Peace Walk
Adam Bray finished his Walk for Thanksgiving and Peace through Western Washington in Olympia on Dec. 1, 2002. Initially a response to the threat of war between Iraq and the United States, Adam Bray restricted his food intake during the walk to the rations allotted to an average Iraqi citizen. But Bray's Peace Walk also expressed wider concerns, in particular repressive violence in many parts of the world, including Colombia, Palestine and Israel, as well as in the United States.The Peace Walk followed US route 99 to Tacoma, and then smaller roads to Olympia. Bray spent nights in various churches along the route, as was reported in a Dec. 17 article published by the United Methodist News Service.Adam Bray reflects on walking for peace Day 1: Who
are we thanking, and what are we thankful for?
Adam Bray invites you to join him in this Peace Walk Prayer. On November 7, 2002, Adam Bray issued this press release: United Methodist Missionary Calls For
Peace
As a response to global violence and the growing threat of war, Adam Bray, 23, will walk 95 miles from Seattle to Olympia to show his support for peacemakers. Bray is a United Methodist Social Justice Missionary working for the campus ministry program at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, WA. In his position as Social Justice Coordinator for the Center for Spirituality and Justice, Bray became overwhelmed working on peace and hunger issues. After months of local actions and letters to Congress, Bray grew frustrated and decided he needed to make a bolder statement. Inspired by the 211-mile Peace Walk from Pittsburgh to Washington D.C. by Mennonite pastoral intern Peter Eash-Scott, Bray felt called to start a similar, yet smaller, walk in Washington starting on Thanksgiving morning. Though initially a response to the threat of war between Iraq and the United States, Bray's Peace Walk will also focus on violence in many parts of the world, including Colombia, Palestine and Israel, and the United States. And if walking 25 miles a day isn't enough, Bray plans to eat the rations allotted to an average Iraqi citizen, consisting of meager amounts of rice, flour, oil, beans, and cheese. The Mennonite Central Committee published the Iraqi rations in 1999, in response to sanctions on Iraq. "I'm beginning the walk on Thanksgiving morning for personal reasons more than anything," says Bray. "I think I am guilty for taking what I have for granted. I rarely consider how lucky I am for having access to necessary things like food, shelter, water, and the luxury of transportation. What better way to harness genuine thankfulness for what I have, than to take some time experiencing the hunger and weariness that most of the world feels on a day-to-day basis?" Bray plans to make the trek in 4 days, beginning on November 28 and ending in Olympia on Dec 1st. Bray invites people to join him along the walk, whether for a few hours, a few days, or the entire trip. "I hope that many people will join me in proclaiming that violence is not the answer. You cannot end fear and suffering in this world by causing more fear and suffering. Every religion and every great philosopher and prophet has emphasized this; you can only defeat evil with good. The movement towards peace starts in the hearts of individuals and requires tough love and tireless work in the name of peace." The weekly ration of food for Iraqi adults and children, according to a July 9, 1999 MCC article, includes:* Wheat flour 5 lbs.
United Methodist Related Links: Eight United Methodist leaders speak out against the war with Iraq. United Methodist Church Executive Urges Bush not to Attack Iraq. Please write to Adam Bray for more information or call him at 253-879-2846. To subscribe to the People for Peace, Justice, and
Healing mailing list, please email
tacomapjh-subscribe@yahoogroups.com Last updated: December 17, 2002 |
