Across North America and the world, we are seeing a frightening rise in authoritarian governments. In the United States, ICE is tyrannising communities by kidnapping, imprisoning, and deporting loved ones. The administration is steadily eroding the rights of groups including migrants, LGBTQ+ people, women, and people with disabilities, while dismantling life-saving public services. In Canada, we are seeing both federal and provincial governments bring forth multiple oppressive bills: restrictions on migration that will result in many students and workers losing their status; “security” and “tough on crime” bills that will increase surveillance and incarceration; and “economic security” bills that fast-track resource extraction projects with little regard for Indigenous rights or environmental impact. The violence of empire is all around us.

In this environment, the Christian church has a special role to play in speaking back to empire and dismantling it. Many people have come to CPT to practice their peacemaking through a lens of spirituality, and we still hope to be a resource for the many people in our constituency who came to CPT because of their Christian faith. The church’s witness during this turbulent time is critical.

We know congregations of faith and peace are striving to support local communities that are witnessing and experiencing violence. Despite the violence and fear around us, we want to stand together and work for peace. On November 8, 2026, CPT invites your congregation to take part in a Peace Sunday. CPT has put together a Peace Sunday Worship Toolkit for congregations that includes scripture, stories, poetry, litanies, and sermon prompts. We also want to encourage you to invite a CPT speaker that Sunday to speak to your congregation, either virtually or in person. And as we look forward to another 40 years of peacemaking, we ask that your morning offering be a donation to CPT.

Reach out to outreach@cpt.org to receive a copy of the Peace Sunday Worship Package for your congregation!