Photo: The group holds their banners June 20 in front of the Colorado Springs city hall. Photo provided.

More than a dozen people gathered June 20 in front of the Colorado Springs city hall while holding two banners that promote conscientious objection to the U.S. military. One banner said, “Conscience against war? Call the Mennonite church,” and one said, “Tired of endless war? Call the Mennonite church.” Each banner gave a local phone number that rings on the phone of Peter Sprunger-Froese, coordinator of the project.

Cole Chandler and Vern Rempel, pastors of the Beloved Community Mennonite Church, led a blessing ceremony in front of city hall. The congregation, part of Mountain States Mennonite Conference of Mennonite Church USA, is based in Englewood, Colorado.

Fifteen adults, including four Mennonite pastors, and three children gathered as the group prayed, read Scripture and sang to support the effort to take the banners to local military bases and military contractors.

“This invitation holds a powerful sense of purpose for our Mennonite movement, that we might be a place of freedom and restoration from a culture of war-making, and that we’re only a call away,” Rempel said. “In so doing, we are inspired by the Spirit of Christ who moves among us, calming our fears, strengthening our courage, and so making good conditions for a lasting and authentic peace.”

The banner project launched after Sprunger-Froese met with area pastors and members of the Mountain States Conference’s SEED (Seek, Explore, Encourage, and work to Develop vital churches) project, which donated a year’s subscription for the phone number.

Sprunger-Froese announced monthly “bannerings” at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado Springs, as well as other locations to be determined.

“The bannering invites conscientious objection to warmaking, as we offer communities of faith to receive, welcome and support anyone considering a decision to leave that employment or deployment,” Sprunger-Froese said. “We as the church hope to offer help in job transition as well as financial assistance where needed.”