The Episcopal Peace Fellowship calls upon Episcopalians and all other people of faith to renounce violence and militarism, and to embrace the way of nonviolence in seeking peace with justice. This call to nonviolence is especially urgent, given the grave state of aggression of "the war on terrorism" and the threatened war of the United States with the government of Iraq, which has the potential for mass destruction and carnage.

We are particularly alarmed at the new and unprecedented doctrine of first-strike force espoused by the current administration of the United States, in that it violates the Geneva Conventions, and could lead to the United States officially becoming an aggressor nation in dealing with world affairs.

Especially heinous in this time is the use of billions of dollars for weapons of destruction by the US government, when the same dollars could be used for humanitarian concerns of food, shelter, medical care, and jobs, not only in the United States at a time of this serious economic downturn, but in many other areas of the world.

We call upon all governments to renounce the use of chemical, biological, and nuclear weapons, and their sale or trade to other nations. We ask that all nations immediately end the production and storage of chemical and biological weapons, and that every nation be open to inspection and monitoring for such weapons by agencies of the United Nations.

We call for the end of sanctions on Iraq, which have seriously disrupted and destroyed the lives of many of its citizens, and for an end to the saber-rattling in the name of vengeance for the events of 11 Sept. 2001. We hear the voices of many family members of the victims of 11 Sept. who seek a "Peaceful Tomorrow" without revenge and with reconciliation and hope.

We call for the restoration of the life of the people of Afghanistan and for intensive international relief efforts, that the people of that nation might have a hope and a dream for a future without war and the ravages of military conflict.

We call for a settlement, by international means, of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, a concern to both the Arab and the western world, so that both peoples can live in peace, security, and freedom, with self-determination for their future as individual nations and as mutually coexisting groups in a society.

We call for the development on international levels for ways of conflict resolution and enforcement of United Nations resolutions, so that all nations might live in peace and harmony with their own peoples, and with each other. We seek an end to the pursuit of inexpensive oil and the diplomatic priority that accompanies such pursuit, and the development of renewable and environmentally friendly energy resources.

We call upon all people of faith to see their beliefs as ways of salvation and healing of division, rather than violence and conflict. We ask people of faith to work actively for reconciliation in their own lives, as well as with their own society and among the nations of the world. We seek a global security in which "violence will no more be heard in your land, and ruin and destruction within your border" (Isaiah 60.18) for all people.

This day we commit ourselves to the promise of our Baptismal covenant, and urge others to commit themselves as well to peace with justice, reconciliation, and the dignity of every human being . -adopted in October, 2002, by the EPF National Executive Council

Check out the new EPF Website!! www.episcopalpeacefellowship.org Each time you go into your web site, you'll notice lots of up-to-the-minute information. You'll see an extensive list of peace web sites-just click on links. Peaceful Tomorrows is now linked to the EPF web site. Peaceful Tomorrows is an advocacy organization founded by family members of September 11th victims. Its mission is to seek effective nonviolent responses to terrorism, and identify a commonality with all people similarly affected by violence throughout the world. If you don't have a computer or Internet access-contact EPF Chicago office, 312-922-8628, for any materials or information you want.