Learning Peace

Implementing a CRCNA SynodicalRecommendation of 2006

Presented by Mary DengerinkApril 23, 2009

outline

• True stories of peace• What is there to learn about peace?• Is belief in the potential of peacemaking

and peace building a realisticperspective?

• Be prepared for change• Resources

True Stories of Peace• Nigeria: “The Crisis” in Takum, 1997 - 2003. A three year Peacemaking

Process began in 2001 and led to the creation of Peace, Justice andReconciliation Committees that continue the Peace Process.

Peace, Justice and Reconciliation CommitteesContinue the Peace Process.

True Stories of Peace, cont’

Iraq: A US Marine General listened to theChaplain and avoided escalation of a villagedemonstration into gun violence.

– As told by Chaplain Keizer under the heading: Peace is Never LostPeace is Never Lostwww.crcjustice.org/issues/peaceandjustice/mobile

Learning about PeaceHeeding God’s Call: A Gathering on Peace

Philadelphia, January 2009

Historical Peace Churches, Quaker, Mennonite and Brethren were joined byChristian peacemakers from 20 other traditions, together with Jewish and

Muslim participants, at Arch Street Friends Meetinghousecalling us to

HOPE, LAMENT, BE PROPHETIC and ACTHOPE, LAMENT, BE PROPHETIC and ACT

With this ecumenical gathering, united for peace, I recognized more deeply that God’sredemption through Christ, offers Peace on EarthPeace on Earth. That is the cause of my HOPE.

I LAMENT that power used violently does not resolve problems, but causes new problems.

I learned the value of joining with diverse voices who are PROPHETIC for peace in ourworld.

I exercised my capacity to ACT, joining advocacy against gun violence on the streets ofPhiladelphia.

It is not enough to say,’We must not wage war’.It is necessary to love peace and to sacrificefor it. We must concentrate not merely on theeradication of war, but on the affirmation ofpeace.

Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Definitions

• Peace Building: The preventiveintervention to decrease possibility ofviolent conflict by actions to increasecommunication and collaborationbetween participants or groups.

• Peacemaking: Intervention with personsand groups involved in violent conflict tofacilitate alternatives to violence.

Peace Building• Peace building work includes:

1) Careful assessment of goals2) Assessment of potential for an interventionto increase connections or divisions3) Recognizing community leaders, but also planning with input from all community groups4) Encouraging equity between groups5)Facilitating opportunity for communication6) Creating plans for future problemresolution

Peacemaking• Peacemaking work includes:

1) Listening to all sides of an issue2) Respect, Patience, Courage*3) Attitude of partnering to explore themeaning of relevant events4) Stimulating curiosity regarding the ‘other’side5) A proposal to meet the ‘other’6) Building a common history of the conflict’sorigin and progression7) Agreement to look to the future

Faith, but no Formula

“Traveler, there is no path.We make the path by walking.”

Antonio MachadoSpanish 1875-1939

Supports for Peace Work• Trauma Healing• Education• Identity/Worldview Exploration• Justice• Conflict Transformation• Religion/Spirituality & Values• Leadership• Space• Humanitarian Assistance & Development• Security

from Peacebuilding Wheel by Barry Hart

We must be ‘RealisticRealistic’’

Peace building efforts contain conflict betterthan military action because:* Peacemaking efforts create less continuingtrauma for communities.* Peace building efforts assist people toresolve rather than pass the injustice theyhave experienced to the next generations.* Peace building efforts assist communities towork for a better future for themselves andtheir children.

Hope in God’s Promises for Peace.

Quoting a speaker from the Peace Conference:

“Hopefulness, being a prisoner of hope, keeps us inline with God’s future for the world.”

Dr. Colin Saxton

Peace Learning Will Change Us

• Scriptural references to peace will have afresh and deeply practical meaning.

• Peace knowledge will inspire reassessment ofour personal relationships and behaviors.

• Confidence in peace alternatives will inspireour peace building acts.

• Awareness of effectiveness of peace work willprovide another perspective to opinion aboutpolitical policy and practice.

An Act of Peace Advocacy

Jews, Muslims and Christians Agree onGaza-Israel CrisisThis is the headline on a document signed by three Abrahamic communities inBoston in January of this year:

We… are anguished by the events unfolding in Israel and Gaza. Recognizing thelegitimate needs of all peoples, including all those living in the Middle East, fordignity, peace, safety and security -- regardless of religion, race,or nationalorigin -- we issue this joint statement with the hope and belief that our interfaithvoices will be heard clearly, above the din of war.As guiding principles,*

ResourcesAnd the Children Shall Lead Them edited by Bill LowreyBlind Trust by Vamik VolkanCovenant of Peace by Willard M. SwartleyExclusion and Embrace by Miroslav VolfPeacebuilding in Traumatized Societies edited by Barry HartResolving Identity-Based Conflict by Jay RothmanThe Little Books of Justice and Peacebuilding, Howard Zehr, general

editor.The End of Memory by Miroslav VolfThe Journey Toward Reconciliation by John Paul Lederach

• Alternatives to Violence - www.ATV.org• CRCNA Office of Social Justice - www.crcjustice.org• Envision Peace Museum - www.envisionpeacemuseum.org• Every Church a Peace Church - www.ecapc.org• Acts of Synod 2006: War and Peace Report