The Iowa Annual Conference Board of Church and Society Peace with Justice Scholarship Essay Contest is now open. This contest is available to students who are high school juniors or seniors during the current school year and who live in Iowa or attend an Iowa high school.
The applicant need not be a member of a United Methodist Church nor any other religious organization.
"This scholarship is funded through the Peace with Justice special offerings. Through this essay contest, we hope to encourage high school students to engage with issues of racism, injustice, and war in our society and to explore ways to bring the gospel to bear in working to make our world a more just and peaceful world for all," said Laura Oliver, member of the Iowa Conference Board of Church and Society.
Essays will be judged by a committee selected by the Iowa Conference Board of Church and Society of the United Methodist Church. Three winners will be selected; each winner will receive a $500 scholarship award. Winners’ names will be announced and awards presented at the annual awards ceremony during the Iowa Annual Conference session in June 2020.
Essay Topic
The Social Principles of the United Methodist Church call us to recognize the systems that destroy human lives through poverty, war, and exclusion; and to advocate for justice and care in our communities and social structures.
In a society that is alarmingly divided, how can we promote justice,
build understanding and acceptance of others, and promote systemic changes
that will enable all people to live in freedom and peace?
Essay Requirements
Essays must be less than 1,000 words and the original work of the applicant. With the essay, please include your name, address and email and a brief summary of school, church and community activities, including efforts for social justice.
Completed essays must be submitted as a Word document or PDF and electronically submitted to the Iowa Conference Peace with Justice Coordinator, Laura Oliver, at
[email protected]. Entry deadline is April 1, 2020.
Email Laura with any questions.
