Episcopal Peace Fellowship (EPF)
The purpose of the St. James chapter of the Episcopal Peace Fellowship is to aid and encourage all Episcopalians to strive for justice and peace among all people and to bear nonviolent witness to Christ’s call to peace. Our mission is to live out our baptismal vow to renounce the evil powers of this world, which corrupt and destroy the creatures of God. We are dedicated to discovering and practicing the biblical concept of peace. In order to fulfill its purpose, the St. James Episcopal Peace Fellowship engages in reflection and study aimed at better understanding God’s call to all Christians to be peacemakers. EPF also undertakes activities that strive to promote peace, nonviolence, and social justice. We are a chapter of the national Episcopal Peace Fellowship, which has been an official ministry of the Episcopal Church USA since the 1930's.
In 2006, for example, the EPF participated in the Martin Luther King Day March in Knoxville; assisted at the EPF table at Diocesan Convention; hosted coffee hour on Mothering Sunday; joined the Hiroshima Day March in Oak Ridge; hosted the Fellowship Supper with a program by Interfaith Power and Light; co-sponsored the world premiere in Knoxville of the film "The Ground Truth"; and helped to organize the first annual Peace Sunday at St James. We also networked with other peace and justice groups and with the new diocesan Peace and Justice Committee. Individual members attended numerous events such as the protest at the School of the Americas in Fort Benning, Georgia; the peace fair in Lexington, Kentucky; and ECUSA's General Convention in Columbus, Ohio.
EPF meets twice each month. On the second Sunday we meet in the Children’s Chapel immediately after the 10:30 servuce. On the fourth Wednesday we meet at 6 p.m. for a study session that focuses on a particular issue or topic. The Wednesday evening meetings are often potluck suppers as well. EPF meetings are regularly announced in the bulletin, the newsletter, and on the St. James' Calendar. Everyone is welcome!
The St. James chapter of the Episcopal Peace Fellowship hopes, among other things, soon to develop a children's peace curriculum for use in a variety of settings.
~ For more information on EPF, click on the logo above ~
– Contact Barbara Hickey or Elizabeth Armstrong