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Violence surrounds us: open warfare among nations; civil, tribal, and ethnic wars within nations; random violence unleashed by gangs; unexplained acts by mere children using guns to kill schoolmates, sometimes themselves. On another level, a more pervasive form of violence tears at our relationships. Verbal, emotional, or physical violence comes from the anger, rage, hatred, and fear inside each of us--the same dark emotions that lead to war.
The EPF Membership is comprised of those who commit themselves to the following statement:
For Christians working to establish God's kingdom here on earth, the violence which permeates our society demands a Christian response. As a member of the Episcopal Peace fellowship, I join with other Episcopalians who seek a deliberate, Christian response to violence that is in keeping with our baptismal covenant to"...strive for justice and peace among all people...".
In loyalty to the person, teaching and Lordship of Jesus Christ, my conscience commits me to His way of redemptive love: to pray, study, and work for peace, and to renounce, so far as possible, participation in war, militarism, and all other forms of violence.
In fellowship with others of like mind, I will work to discover and create alternatives to violence and to build a culture of peace. As a member of the holy catholic church, I urge the Episcopal Church in accordance with our baptismal vows, "to renounce the evil powers of this world which corrupt and destroy the creatures of God" and to wage peace across all boundaries, calling upon people everywhere to repent, to forgive, and to love.
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