“Happy New Year” is a prayer
Greetings, fellow peacemakers!
On Monday, January 5, we had our first staff meeting of the new year. We were joined by a couple of colleagues who are collaborating with us in the planning of Peace Camp 2026. At the beginning of the meeting, we were exchanging pleasantries. One person commented that it did not feel like such a “happy” new year, while another gently responded, “Happy New Year is a prayer.” Interestingly, both reflections are true, reminding us that two things can be right at the same time.
These two statements were reflections of what is currently going on between the USA and Venezuela. Our friends were right in being open and attentive to those events. Their comments also reminded us of what is not right. First, the bombing in the city of Caracas, Venezuela and the kidnapping of the President Nicolás Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores. Second, the lying about a conspiracy of selling drugs illegally to disguise the Donald Trump’s administration genuine interest: stealing Venezuela’s natural resources and assuming control over the world’s largest oil reserve supply. These two things are not right.
Venezuela's resistance, along with other important voices and movements that denounce imperialism, remind us that God is not a violent, Western imperialist focused on power and domination. Jesus is still the Prince of Peace. To that end, in keeping with our organization's mission and vision, we stand with the people of Venezuela and their sovereignty. We join the voices denouncing the ongoing violence and corruption that compel us to pray: Happy New Year!
Let us prepare and brace ourselves for the greater challenges ahead and stand in solidarity with our family of peacemakers actively committed to the struggle for peace in places like Colombia, Cuba, México, Puerto Rico, and other destabilized countries that are continuously negatively impacted by imperialism. The theme for this year's Peace Camp is a testament and commitment to their struggle: Reimagining Solidarity: A Path to Peace.
We invite you to join us at the University of Guelph in Guelph, Ontario, Canada, from July 13–17 to continue meaningful conversations and practices of peacebuilding.
