October 24, 2024
The flag of the United Nations flies in New York City. The
U.N. emblem and flag speak to the hopes and dreams of
peace and unity for people the world over. U.N. Photo/Mark
Garten (credit: U.N.)
As I sit here in the Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations (PMUN) office across from U.N. headquarters, I can see the large U.N. flag fluttering in the wind. That flag is a beacon of hope for so many around the world. When the United Nations was created in 1945, after the devastation of World War II, it was determined “to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war.” And yet, almost 80 years later, we are again facing multiple wars and crises posing existential threats.
In September, world leaders attended the U.N. General Assembly to address these problems and acknowledged that the systems and institutions of bygone years no longer worked so well, “no longer fit for purpose” in U.N. language. From the green-marbled podium, world leaders lamented the loss of trust and solidarity to act for the common good and repeatedly called to restore trust. That is a tall order.
PMUN carries out the policies of PC(USA) at the U.N., but perhaps more importantly, we serve in a more intangible way, to be ministry of presence to the U.N. community at large. We are here at the U.N. to be witnesses to God’s love and to follow Christ’s teaching to love our neighbors, to bring moral integrity, and to build trust and understanding.
The U.N. Charter begins with “we the peoples.” The U.N. was created by and for the people to live in a peaceable world: for the U.N. to defend the rights of the weak, to provide assistance to people who face hunger, disaster and conflict; and to work together to solve world’s problems before conflicts arise. World leaders came together this year to tackle the problems that beset us. All 193 member states signed the Pact for the Future outlining steps needed to build a better world now and into the future. That is a start.
The flag flutters in the wind. A beacon of hope for a tired and battered world. It may be worn and tired, but there is a sense that the leaders, in fact the world, genuinely desire for renewal. May it be so.
Sue Rheem, Head of Office and Representative to the United Nations
Today’s Focus: United Nations Day
Let us join in prayer for:
PC(USA) Agencies’ Staff
Dennis Tomkins, Site Manager, Stony Point Conference Center, Presbyterian Mission Agency
Julie Tonini, Director of Production, Publishing & Editorial Presbyterian Publishing Corp.
Let us pray
Lord God of all Creation and of All People, we pray that you will grant world leaders the strength and courage to follow through on their commitments to build a better United Nations and a better world for now and for future generations, and may each of us do our part to create a beloved community as you intended. Amen.
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