Peacemaking in Church and Community

with J. Daryl Byler, Director of the the Washington, D.C. Office Mennonite Central Committee

Saturday, November 20, 2004
8:30 am - 1:00 pm

Program:
The program includes: Introduction to non-violence training (exploring violence and non-violence; social change; community building), and group discussion of peace and justice work in our congregations --sharing our experiences; ideas for getting started; networking, and new resources led by J. Daryl Byler*, director of the Washington, D.C. office of Mennonite Central Committee.

Also:

Schedule:
Registration and coffee at 8:30 am; program begins 9:00 am
includes light mid-morning brunch; and wrap-up by 1:00 pm

Registration:
Advance registration by November 16 is requested, but there is no registration fee. Contact Bob Moyer, 215-766-0827, bobpax70 @ aol.com, or Walter Sawatzky, 215-723-5513.

On Saturday evening, J. Daryl Byler will present the first part of his message on "Being the Salt and Light in an age of Terror." Following his message, there will be a time for questions, fellowship, and refreshments in the fellowship hall. There will also be some displays and resource materials available.

For the Sunday Worship service, J. Daryl Byler will continue his message on "Being Salt and Light in an age of Terror." Then, during the Sunday School hour, he will test the group with a 10-point alternative security vision that his office has developed based on feedback from conferences held this past year.

• From Violence to Wholeness, by Ken Butigan, Patricia Bruno, O.P. and the Pace e Bene Noviolence Service. A ten part program in the spirituality and practice of active non-violence.

  Fellowship of Reconciliation (FOR) has adapted the Pace e Bene program to a 20-hour training program "Creating a Culture of Peace: Nonviolence Training for Personal and Social Change." The program’s "popular education" style includes one-on-one, small-group and large-group activities and discussion, role-play, journaling, storytelling, and quiet reflection to accommodate different learning styles. (Training sessions are being held across the U.S., including Pennsylvania; contact the PJC for further information.)

  Major topics of the program are:

  1. Exploring Violence,
  2. Exploring Active Non-Violence,
  3. Social Change Movements,
  4. Community Building, and
  5. Action Planning.

• A Force More Powerful, six-part video series on non-violent social movements in the 20th century (produced by PBS, 2000; available from MCC Resource Center).
• Engaging the Powers, by Walter Wink (Fortress: 1992). A scholarly (but readable) study of violence and non-violence from historical and biblical perspective.
• Doing Democracy, by Bill Moyer, et al (New Society Pub. 2001). Describes the life-cycle of social movements and provides examples of effective long-term strategic planning for social change.