Posts in the ‘In the Community’ Category

She saw only too clearly the fragility of peace, saying that peace needs to be nurtured as carefully as an egg. Dekha found deep fulfilment in enabling others to develop their full potential as leaders for peace and justice, never seeking the limelight for herself.

In a culture of violence, what has to happen within the political, economic, social, educational and development agendas to engage and enable the reconciliation of communities and individuals? What are the things that make for peace?

Rev. Carol Windrum. a United Methodist pastor in Nebraska, won the People of Faith award for her commitment to peacemaking.

“I am concerned about the rights of women, the rights of children and, just as equally, the rights of men – because there can never be a community, there can never be a family, there can never be true freedom when any sector of humanity is not free,” she says.

Any reporter thinking Bethke would allow herself the satisfaction of revenge would be disappointed. Her family’s loss because of 9/11 has not changed a lifelong commitment to peace…From the beginning, she has chosen reconciliation over retribution.

“On this, the occasion of the tenth anniversary of the tragedy of September 11, 2001,” Bishop Goodpaster said, “I call upon United Methodists and all people of faith to a renewed commitment to ministry of reconciliation

The Methodist Church has launched an appeal for donations to go towards communities that have suffered as a result of the civil disorder. The funds will be used to support the Church’s work in the areas of reconciliation and community rebuilding.

“And I am impressed with our church members who, on the day after the break-in, were already talking about forgiving and moving on and how God could bring something good out of this.”

As a practicing attorney, Linda Warren Seely deals with a certain amount of conflict. But her Christian faith calls her to help people settle disagreements outside the legal process where possible and in ways that might be more satisfying and sustaining for all parties.

Coming this Fall on PBS, will be a bold new mini-series, Women, War & Peace. The series, which begins in October 2011, challenges “the conventional wisdom that war and peace are men’s domain and to place women at the center of an urgent dialogue about conflict and security.”