On Earth Peace - News and Events - Reports on Recent Activities

This update is sent to Church of the Brethren districts and agencies, as well as other leaders and interested persons. The information listed below is a way for On Earth Peace to share what we are doing in congregations and the community. Please feel free to share this information widely. Click a link to choose any year's report.

2006
2005
2004
2003
2002
2001

October-December 2006

Brethren Volunteer Service Trainings– Matt Guynn provided two days of training for the fall Brethren Volunteer Service Unit in October. The sessions helped participants recognize the ways the spirit of domination infects and affects us, and reflect on ways that Jesus’s grace helps prepare us to live in the world. Activities included scripture study, prayer practices, practicing vulnerable speaking, street preaching, and exploring the idea of a nonviolent army of love and reconciliation.
Ministry of Reconciliation workshops – On October 7, Bob Gross led a workshop on Understanding Congregational Conflict for the Oregon/Washington district, at the Olympic View Church of the Brethren (Seattle, WA). The Roaring Spring (PA) Church of the Brethren held a reconciliation skills workshop, led by Bob Gross, on November 11, to which all deacons and church board members were invited.
Counter Recruitment Networking Calls and Resources – Conference calls took place in October and December to connect organizers who are working to build positive alternatives to the militarization of youth’s lives. Each call offered spiritual and theological reflection on counter-recruitment from the basis of Christian faith and life. The latest calls connected thirteen individuals from a total of nine states and represented five districts of the Church of the Brethren, as well as Quakers, Catholics, and others, and included staff from the American Friends Service Committee and the Center on Conscience and War. Rev. Deb Oskin of the Living Peace Church of the Brethren (Columbus, OH) joined Matt Guynn as co-facilitator. More than 100 copies of On Earth Peace’s Organizing and Outreach Packet related to military recruitment were distributed by the end of 2006. For more information or a copy, contact Matt Guynn (765-962-6234).
District Conference Participation – In October and November, Bob Gross represented On Earth Peace at the Middle Pennsylvania, Western Pennsylvania, and Illinois/Wisconsin district conferences, bringing an oral report and a variety of resource materials for conference participants.
Decade to Overcome Violence – In October, Matt Guynn represented the Church of the Brethren in meetings of the United States Decade to Overcome Violence Committee, along with Jim Stokes-Buckles and Brethren Witness/Washington Office Director Phil Jones, who is committee-co-chair. Representatives of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, Presbyterian Church USA, American Baptist Churches USA, National Baptist Convention USA, Inc., Christian Peacemaker Teams, Episcopal Church USA, and the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America met to share about efforts to address violence in their faith communities. The meetings were hosted by the World Council of Churches at the Interchurch Center in New York City.
Professional Growth – Susanna Farahat attended the Training for Social Action Trainers led by Training for Change, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as a professional growth opportunity. The weekend provided participants with opportunities to strengthen their leadership and facilitation skills, and learn some new tools.
Counter Recruitment Conference – On Earth Peace sponsored a sixteen-member delegation from the Haitian First Church of the Brethren (New York, NY), to attend the November 3-5 event, “Counter-recruitment: Countering Military Recruitment with Gospel Nonviolence,” in San Antonio, Texas. Click here for a reflection about the delegation, including photos and quotes from participants.
Veterans Day Activities– This year, On Earth Peace remembered Veteran's Day with two events addressing issues of Faith and Militarism. The Messiah Church of the Brethren (Kansas City, MO), hosted an all-day workshop entitled, "A Faithful Response: Supporting and Welcoming Those Who Choose Conscientious Objection or Military Service." Susanna Farahat facilitated sessions on Christian non-violence and sharing stories in community http://www.vva.org/. Barbra Davis and Sonja Griffith led the group in worship, encouraging participants to listen for God's word in seeking a faithful response. Matt Guynn provided music and session leadership for the Southern Ohio Fall Youth Rally at Camp Woodland Altars, November 10-12. The theme was, “Reclaiming God’s Grace: You and Your World,” with prayer practices and bible study focused on God’s grace, and the Pharisee tendency to attempt to control and limit grace.
On Earth Peace Gatherings – Bob Gross met in November with groups of interested church members to discuss ways On Earth Peace works with individuals and congregations. These meetings were in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Manassas, Virginia, and Palmyra, Pennsylvania.
Peace Retreat Leadership Team – Susanna Farahat met with the Peace Retreat Leadership Team (Debbie Eisenbise, Rick Polhamus, and Dena Lee) at the Living Peace Church of the Brethren (Columbus, OH), in November to focus on strategic planning for leadership development and working to reach the goal of providing all Church of the Brethren youth with significant peace learning experiences.
Congregational Participation – On October 22, Bob Gross preached at the Ridgeway Church of the Brethren (Harrisburg, PA) and led the adult church school class in looking at the peace ministries of the church, and on November 12, preached at the Roaring Spring (PA) Church of the Brethren.
Communications and Publications – from October to December:
- On Earth Peace Winter 2006/2007 Newsletter, provided articles and resources about “Passing On Your Faith and Peace Witness”;
- Living Peace Church News & Notes, a monthly column created for congregational and district newsletters, focused on the new Brethren Service Committee DVD, the Youth Peace Travel Team, and an Advent call to peace;
- 39 news items about nonviolence were sent out through the Peace Witness Action List;
- Shalom, Christ’s Way of Peace, the first book in On Earth Peace’s new Shalom Series, was published in December.
For more information, contact On Earth Peace at 410-635-8704 or oepa_oepa@brethren.org, or contact our staff members directly:
Annie Clark, 260-982-8595, annieclark@mchsi.com;
Susanna Farahat, 410-635-8706, sfarahat_oepa@brethren.org;
Bob Gross, 260-982-7751, bgross@igc.org;
Matt Guynn, 765-962-6234, mattguynn@earthlink.net;
Darlene Johnson, 410-635-8704, djohnson_oepa@brethren.org; and
Barb Sayler, 502-222-5886, bsayler_oepa@brethren.org.

July-September 2006

New Website Design – We’re excited to share about the launch of a new design for our website at www.brethren.org/oepa. In addition to a new look, we have restructured the site with easier access to resources and information about programs and projects.
New Brethren Service Committee DVD – A new DVD “Food and Clothing, Cattle and Love – Brethren Service in Europe after World War II” was produced by On Earth Peace and made its debut at the National Older Adult Conference. The work of Brethren Service in Europe, following the devastation of World War Two, is an example of the church at its best and is featured in two documentary versions (12-minute and 27-minute), as well as a music video. Also included is a selection of historical photos, information, and personal reflections prepared Wilbur Mullen.
New Peace Resource Book – “Shalom – Christ’s Way of Peace,” the first title in our Shalom Series of practical peacemaking booklets, will be available in November. Written by Susanna Farahat and Lani Wright, this book examines a theology of Shalom and provides basic ideas about peacemaking.
Ministry of Reconciliation Consultations – Marty Farahat and Bob Gross facilitated a three-day consultation/mediation with a denominational program area in August.
Annual Conference – On Earth Peace’s Annual Breakfast featured Denique Conner, Deb Oskin, and Matt Guynn, who shared stories about the practices of military recruiters and ideas about how to pro-actively encounter recruitment. Staff and friends of On Earth Peace presented ten insight sessions with leadership from all program staff as well as these volunteers: Doris Abdullah, Doug Archer, Judi Brown, Denique Connor, Esther Frey, Rachel Gross, Greg Helle, Ruthann Johansen, Carla Kilgore, Val Knickrehm, Verdena Lee, Jim Meyer, Craig Alan Myers, Brenda Petry, Marianne Pittman, Nathan Polzin, Doug Reichenbach, Kathy Reid, Jonathan Shively, Ludovic St. Fleur, David Waas. And once again this year, On Earth Peace was on hand during all business sessions to assist with clear communications, provide a listening ear, or mediate between persons in disagreement.
Song & Story Fest – On Earth Peace co-sponsored the tenth annual Wild Rose Song & Story Fest “Blossom Into Wholeness” held at Camp Pine Lake near Eldora, Iowa, following Annual Conference. Participants enjoyed morning gatherings, jam sessions, story swaps, campfires, and concerts each day. There workshops on music and story telling, as well as workshops on peacemaking led by Louie Rieman, Jonathan Hunter, Mike Stern, Reba Herder, Bob Gross, Grace Lefever, Phil Rieman, and Barb Sayler.
National Youth Conference (NYC) – On Earth Peace had a strong presence at NYC this year with a skilled and energetic team of staff and volunteers: Susanna Farahat, Matt Guynn, Michaela Camps (Miami, FL), Carla Gillespie (Richmond, IN), Rick Polhamus (Fletcher, OH), and Daniel Radcliff (Elgin, IL). The spirited team served as small group leaders and led eight workshops focusing on topics such as resisting empire, conflict transformation, creative, prayerful, and positive Christian living, and militarism.
Youth Peace Travel Team (YPTT) – The 2006 YPTT, Karen Duhai (Beford, PA), Corrine Lipscomb (Springfield, IL), Margaret Bortner (Palmyra, PA), and Christina McPherson (Boise Valley, ID), traveled to seven camps across the midwest and west, and provided leadership at Annual Conference and National Youth Conference. The YPTT is sponsored by the General Board, the Outdoor Ministries Association, and On Earth Peace.
Counter-Recruitment Networking Calls – Matt Guynn facilitated networking calls in August to connect and strengthen those in the Church of the Brethren and beyond who are involved in countering the presence of military recruiting in high schools and communities.
National Older Adult Conference (NOAC) – Bob Gross and Susanna Farahat were at NOAC in September with a display table and the debut of the DVD documentary about Brethren Service Committee. On Earth Peace offered seven workshops at the conference with the help of many volunteer leaders: George Eisele, Marty Farahat, Nancy Faus, Rachel Gross, Wendi Hutchinson, Glenn Kinsel, Shawn Kirchner, Eugene Lichty, Dorotha Fry Mason, Marianne Pittman, Lucile Vaughn, and David Waas.
District Conferences – From July to September, On Earth Peace staff were present at six district conferences. At the Southern Pennsylvania District Conference, Susanna Farahat presented two Matthew 18-based workshops on “Practical Ways for Laity to Work through Church Disagreements.”
Board of Directors Meeting – The On Earth Peace board met on September 21-23. Highlights of the meeting include: four sessions of Together: Conversations on Being the Church, led by Joe Detrick; a financial report showing a balance of income and expense; lively program activity reports from staff; election of officers (Chair – Bev Weaver, Vice Chair – Verdena Lee, Secretary – Lauree Hersch Meyer, Treasurer – Doris Abdullah, Executive Committee – Dena Gilbert and Robbie Miller. Before the meeting, a commemoration of International Day of Peace was held, with hundreds of hand-made pinwheels-for-peace.
Congregational Visits – In July, Bob Gross taught a Sunday School class at the Lancaster (PA) Church of the Brethren, and led a program on counter-recruitment for interested members of the Quinter (KS) Church of the Brethren, and Susanna Farahat taught a Sunday School class at Black Rock (PA) Church of the Brethren. In September, Bob Gross preached and led a workshop at the Trinity (MI) Church of the Brethren, and Matt Guynn worked with the youth group at the Brooklyn (NY) Church of the Brethren, on issues of peacemaking and military recruitment.
Communications and Publications – from July to September:
On Earth Peace Fall 2006 Newsletter, provided overviews of On Earth Peace’s involvement at Annual Conference, Song & Story Fest, and National Youth Conference, as well as resources created for Annual Conference insight sessions;
Living Peace Church News & Notes, a monthly column created for congregational and district newsletters, focused on promoting the International Day of Peace and spreading the word of peacemaking through bumperstickers and t-shirts (www.brethren.org/oepa/resources.html);
Thirteen news items about nonviolence were sent out through the Peace Witness Action List (www.brethren.org/oepa/emailAction.html);
The Ministry of Reconciliation E-Newsletter was produced this summer, with news and resources of interest to practitioners and friends of the Ministry of Reconciliation and On Earth Peace.
Spanish translation of the Ministry of Reconciliation brochure.

April-June 2006

On April 7 and 8, Annie Clark and Bob Gross led the third and final weekend of a course at Bethany Theological Seminary, “Conflict Transformation in the Congregation.” Strong affirmation came from students and faculty for the way the course was organized and the engaging, practical approach.
For the third year in a row, Annie Clark and Angie Breiner led a training at the Brethren Retirement Community in Greenville, Ohio, with twelve employees participating in“Dealing with Conflict Resolution in the Workplace.” This spring’s workshop covered listening skills, conflict theory, negotiation, and mediation over a seven-week period.
Susanna Farahat made a brief presentation about the programs and mission of On Earth Peace to the students from Lutheran Theological Seminary, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, as part of their orientation to the Brethren Service Center.
The Oakton (VA) Church of the Brethren hosted a peace fair on a Sunday afternoon in May. More than thirty participants attended a parenting workshop and a conflict transformation workshop led by Annie Clark, along with other peace-related workshops.
Matt Guynn facilitated three networking calls, in April and June, to connect and strengthen those in the Church of the Brethren and beyond who are involved in countering the presence of military recruiting in high schools and communities. The most recent round of calls involved new participants from New Jersey, North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Indiana.
Shalom Team members from four districts attended a Matthew 18 Training for Trainers workshop in Westminster, Maryland. Participants received curriculum for the new Matthew 18 workshop and are equipped to lead the workshop in their home districts.
The On Earth Peace Board of Directors met in September at New Windsor, Maryland, focusing on the theme of “A Passion for Peace.” A few highlights from the meeting included a review of the Doing Church Business paper that was brought to Annual Conference this year from a study committee; a review of the vision and goals from the 2000-2001 strategic planning process, then beginning to look at how to move forward in beginning new planning; affirmation for the staff to go ahead with planning the nature and direction of the three big goals that are already in process: for every youth in the denomination to have a real opportunity for an extended peace learning experience while in high school, for every pastor in the denomination to learn effective conflict transformation approaches and skills, and for every congregation in the denomination to have a vibrant peace/justice ministry which affects the life of its community or beyond.
At Regional Youth Conference at Manchester College at the end of April, Susanna Farahat led a workshop on seeing the world through Christ’s eyes which generated an excellent discussion of love for self and others.
As On Earth Peace seeks to serve the whole Church, Susanna Farahat and Annie Clark attended this year’s Cross Cultural Ministries Consultation to make connections and share stories. Held in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, the event was characterized by lively worship celebrations and meaningful conversation
This spring, the Ministry of Reconciliation consulted with one congregation and one organization, facilitated by Celia Cook Huffman, Bernie Fuska, and Annie Clark.
Rick Polhamus led a session on conflict transformation at the Church Planting Conference at Bethany Seminary in May.
Thanks to a grant from the H.C. Gemmer Family Christian Foundation, counselors and staff at five midwestern camps, Emmanuel, Woodland Altars, Mack, Brethren Heights, and Inspiration Hills, received training in conflict transformation skills. The interactive trainings led by Rick Polhamus, Dena Lee, Annie Clark, and Susanna Farahat were well-received by more than one hundred participants.
The Welcome Home Project, a living peace church response for returning military and congregations, has prepared a bulletin insert including a call for congregations to reach out to returning soldiers. It will be downloadable here after the first of August.
Sponsored by On Earth Peace, Junior high youth from the Lancaster (PA) Church of the Brethren came together in Washington, D.C., for a weekend focused on Christian advocacy and peacemaking. Youth learned negotiation skills, strategized to end social hierarchy in their schools, became acquainted with the Brethren Witness/Washington Office on a tour of the Capitol, and committed themselves to accepting the call to advocacy grounded in faith.
This year’s Youth Peace Travel Team is off to an exciting start! The four young women kicked off the summer with orientation in Indiana and are traveling throughout the Plains states and the West coast. The team made a splash at Annual Conference, leading off each morning’s activities for the Sr. High youth.
On Earth Peace felt honored to be a stop on Camp Brethren Woods’ first ever junior-high heritage camp tour in June! The group’s afternoon activities centered around envisioning themselves as significant members in the living peace church.
In April, Bob Gross brought a brief message of greetings and inspiration to the Midland (VA) Church of the Brethren, and led a session on Peacemaking in the Middle East at the Arlington (VA) Church of the Brethren. In June, Susanna Farahat led a combined Sunday school session at the Hanover (PA) Church of the Brethren focusing on issues of youth militarization and alternatives to military service.
The Peace Witness program produced a truth-in-recruiting organizing and outreach packet, which includes basic information, flyers for use in community outreach, resources for congregations, and a ten-minute DVD video on faith and militarism. Thirty-five copies were distributed at Annual Conference. To order a copy, contact Matt Guynn at mattguynn@earthlink.net or 765-962-6234.
Communications and Publications – from April to June:
- On Earth Peace Summer 2006 Newsletter, focused on Voices from Palestine and Israel with glimpses from a delegation sponsored by On Earth Peace and Christian Peacemaker Teams through thoughtful reflections, journal entries, and photos, as well as personal voices of Palestinians and Israelis;
- Living Peace Church News & Notes, a monthlycolumn created for congregational and district newsletters, focused on domestic violence in the church, a peaceable summer with kids at home, and resources for the church on war and its lasting effects (website);
- 39 news items about nonviolence were sent out through the Peace Witness Action List (website);
- The Peacebuilder newsletter, an e-newsletter for friends of On Earth Peace.
- Informational flyers, brochures, and packets: Outreach Packet flyer featuring Spanish and English translation of “Passing On Our Faith and Peace Witness” poster; Welcome Home Bulletin Insert; Counter-Recruitment Informational Packet;
- Spanish translation of “Passing On Our Faith and Peace Witness” poster and the On Earth Peace brochure.

January-March 2006

Israel/Palestine On Earth Peace and Christian Peacemaker Teams co-sponsored a delegation in January which traveled to Israel and Palestine to meet with peacemakers on all sides and learn about this tragic situation first-hand. The group visited Hebron, Jerusalem, Bethlehem, and the village of At-tuwani in the southernmost part of the West Bank. Bob Gross led the delegation, with staff Susanna Farahat and board member Lauree Hersch Meyer participating. (website)

Truth in Recruiting In Richmond, Indiana, in January, Matt Guynn organized three events, with leadership provided by Oskar Castro of the American Friends Service Committee, as part of a kick-off for local organizing around the prevalent militarism surrounding youth and how to organize positive alternatives. In late March, Matt Guynn gathered with persons from three Washington, DC area congregations for "On Earth Pizza," talking about peace witness, Christian faith, and counter-recruitment. Also, at the Bethany Seminar/Earlham School of Religion Peace Forum, Matt Guynn spoke about military recruitment and the theology of empire. (website)

Peace Retreat Leadership Team In January, Carrie Eikler and Rick Polhamus (two of the Peace Retreat Leadership Team members) led a weekend youth peace retreat in Western Pennsylvania with the theme "What DID Jesus do?" (website)

Facilitation and Planning Barb Sayler facilitated conversation and planning about a joint fall retreat between the Mid-Atlantic District Peace Committee and the Brethren Peace Fellowship at a day-long retreat in January, in Union Bridge, Maryland.

Youth Peace Travel Team The 2006 Youth Peace Travel Team, jointly sponsored by On Earth Peace, the General Board, and Outdoor Ministries, has been chosen: Karen Duhai (Bedford, PA), Corrine Lipscomb (Springfield, IL), Margaret Bortner (Palmyra, PA), and Christina McPherson (Boise Valley, ID). This team will travel for ten weeks this summer providing leadership at seven camps in the Plains and the West coast, as well as Annual Conference and National Youth Conference. (website)

Together: Conversations on Being the Church In February, On Earth Peace provided three process observers, Annie Clark, Ernie Thakor, and Mark Chidley, for the "Together: Conversations on Being the Church" training held in New Windsor for over 140 persons with every district and agency represented.

Welcome Home Project The Welcome Home Project calls church congregations to educate themselves and develop ministries related to the massive returns of military personnel that our country is currently experiencing. A website has been created, and a listserv connects congregations and individuals wishing to develop ministries for returning service members. The main emphasis of the committee is directing churches to the wealth of resources that are available about what vets from Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom have faced, the ongoing impact of service to their health, and how congregations can be supportive as they return. (website)

Ministry of Reconciliation MoR practitioners facilitated two church retreats, one congregational discernment process, provided consultation services for one one congregation, and provided process observers for one denominational event.

Practitioner Network The Practitioner Network has one newly recognized practitioner, Bernie Fuska of Timberville, Virginia.

Bethany Seminary Teaching Annie Clark and Bob Gross are co-teaching a course at Bethany Seminary entitled Conflict Transformation in the Congregational Setting. Seminary dean Steve Reid is assisting in the three-weekend intensive course, which has ten students. The first weekend was held in February, with subsequent weekends in March and April.

Congregational Visits This quarter, congregational visits were made by the following staff: at the Potsdam (OH) Church of the Brethren, Matt Guynn provided leadership in worship January; at the Rock Run Church of the Brethren (Goshen, IN), Annie Clark provided leadership in worship and taught communication skills in Sunday school; and at the Westminster (MD) Church of the Brethren, Barb Sayler provided the keynote address at a banquet where they were awarding their first annual peace education scholarship.

Regional Youth Conferences Representing On Earth Peace, Susanna Farahat and Rick Polhamus provided workshop leadership at Regional Youth Conferences at Elizabethtown, Bridgewater, and McPherson Colleges, focusing on recognizing the divine in ourselves and others, being present with God, the Biblical root of pacifism, and conscientious objection.

Shalom Team Workshop Carol Waggy and Bob Gross led a training and planning workshop for the Shalom Team of the Northern Plains district in Waterloo, Iowa, on March 31 and April 1. The Northern Plains team, like those of several other districts, called on the Ministry of Reconciliation for orientation and preparation for their role, which will be primarily educational and preventative in nature.

Communications and Publications — from January to March:

Living Peace Church News & Notes, a monthly column created for congregational and district newsletters, focused on prayer and faxing as a practical peacemaking idea, preparing for Lent, and how to face difficult conversations (website);
Forty-four news items about nonviolence were sent out through the Peace Witness Action List;
The 2005 On Earth Peace Annual Report, based on Matthew 19:14, was created as a poster that gives suggestions to persons on how to pass on their faith and peace witness to children. Sent with this report was the 2005 On Earth Peace Activities Report and Listing of Donors (website);
The final Coming to Life: Worship Aids for a Living Peace Church, created in cooperation with the Brethren Witness/Washington Office, provided resources for the Lenten season (website).

October - December 2005

Matt Guynn convened support calls for truth-in-recruiting organizers in October and December. In the semester check-out, participants expressed gratitude for the strength, connection, and practical ideas they received from the opportunity to meet and share with other organizers from around the country.
Church of the Brethren congregations from Papago Buttes (AZ), Koinoina (CO), and Bear Creek (MD), borrowed the Peace Baskets, as did the Westminster Presbyterian congregation in Munster, Indiana. All four of the Peace Baskets were borrowed for extended periods of time this quarter.
The Adult Peace Basket has given birth to eight smaller, topical peace baskets! The new baskets cover Christian service, peace and war, international conflicts, the Palestinian/Israeli conflict, peaceful parenting, racism, reconciliation and forgiveness, and Brethren heritage.
Ministry of Reconciliation (MoR) Practitioners consulted with three congregations this past quarter.
Matt Guynn provided three days of training for the Brethren Volunteer Service orientation which too place in New Windsor, Maryland, in October. Topics included Christian spiritual formation, tools for grappling with the powers and building a better world, dynamics of diversity.
On November 12, Paul Roth led the MoR workshop, "Ministry with Difficult Behaviors," in the Middle Pennsylvania district. Forty six pastors, deacons and other church leaders attended the popular workshop, learning how stay healthy, differentiated, and caring when dealing with difficult behaviors.
A pilot congregational ministry for recently return veterans debuted at the Good Shepherd Church of the Brethren, Blacksburg, VA. Other congregations are now making plans to begin healing and reconciliation ministries for vets with support from the Welcome Home Project, a collaboration of On Earth Peace and the Association of Brethren Caregivers.
At the Church of the Brethren Women's Clergy Retreat in November, Barb Sayler served as music coordinator and helped plan the worship services.
In November, Matt Guynn met with American Friends Service Committee staff person for Youth and Militarism, Oskar Castro, to consider further expansion of On Earth Peace's truth-in-recruiting program.
Thirteen practitioners attended MoR's "Advanced Reconciliation Skills" workshop November 16-18. Led by Mike Crump and Bob Gross, participants learned a new set of skills to manage polarities, or differences of deeply held beliefs and understandings.
On Earth Peace shared a booth with the Brethren Witness/Washington Office at the School of the Americas (SOA)/Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation (WHINESC) demonstrations, in Ft. Benning, Georgia, November 19-20. Susanna Farahat engaged in conversations about counter-recruitment and conscientious objection with youth and youth leaders throughout the weekend, and sold an abundance of the "When Jesus said "Love your enemies,' I think he meant don't kill them," bumper stickers.
In October and November, On Earth Peace staff attended four district conferences providing workshops and sharing about the ministries of On Earth Peace.
In December, twenty-five On Earth Peace supporters and friends in the Richmond, Indiana, area, gathered with On Earth Peace staff or an evening of sharing and updates on current ministries.
On Earth Peace staff continued their journey towards becoming an actively anti-racist organization, working toward goals for each of the program areas and prioritizing accessible organizational printed and digital communications.
This quarter, congregational visits were made by the following staff: Bob, Orlando (FL) Haitian, Miami (FL) Haitian, Richmond (IN) Churches of the Brethren; Susanna, Lampeter (PA) Church of the Brethren.

From October to December, On Earth Peace sent out the following communications: Living Peace Church News & Notes column was sent monthly focusing on alternatives to the military for youth, violence is not child's play, and promotion of the Youth Peace Travel Team; fifty-one news items were sent out through the Peace Witness Action List; the winter newsletter went out in December with the focus "Reading the Signs of the Times"; Reconciliation News, a quarterly e-mail newsletter for practitioners and friends of the Ministry of Reconciliation, was sent in October.

July - September 2005

At Annual Conference, On Earth Peace sponsored ten insight sessions: "Teaching Peace to Youth;" "Listening Skills for Deacons" (co-sponsored with Association of Brethren Caregivers); "Spiritual and Prayer Disciplines for Deeper Christian Living;" "Helping Soldiers Heal from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder" (co-sponsored with Association of Brethren Caregivers); "Conflict Transformation for Pastors: Dealing with Difficult Behaviors;" ""Seek the Welfare of the City' A Bible Study on Jeremiah 29;" "Christian Peacemaker Teams: Stories of Creative Nonviolence and Courage" (co-sponsored with Christian Peacemaker Teams); "Making Meetings Go Better;" "Parenting and Peacemaking;" and "Becoming a Testimony of Peace in Our Local Communities" (co-sponsored with the Brethren Witness/Washington Office).
On Earth Peace co-sponsored the 2005 Heartland Song & Story Fest "Rooted and Grounded in Love!" This year it was held at Joyfield Farm in North Manchester, Indiana. On Earth Peace provided workshops on prayer and peacemaking, being a Living Peace Church, peaceful parenting, peacemaking and living in community, making a smaller footprint around the world, being a healing/welcoming/caring place for returning soldiers, ending the war in Iraq, and congregations as a base for peacemaking. Also, members of the peace retreat leadership team provided workshops all week for the youth.
In July, Kim Stuckey Hissong (staff of On Earth Peace at that time) served as director for a Senior High Youth Workcamp at the Bella Vista Church of the Brethren, Los Angeles, California, sponsored by the General Board's Youth/Young Adult office. While working at human service agencies on Skid Row in down Los Angeles, the youth had the opportunity to hear firsthand stories from people living on the street, see abject poverty that crossed ethnic and racial lines, and witness faith testimonies from persons who had battled additions and violence for much of their lives.
Matt Guynn provided teaching and preaching leadership for Oregon/Washington district's family camp at Camp Myrtlewood (OR) in July. Youth and adults explored what it means to live free and flourish in a culture of fear and division, looking to the Way found in the book of Acts. Participants were invited to another way of living, embracing the vision of the church as a community of resistance to a culture of fear, suspicion, and militarism.
We're excited to welcome Susanna Farahat who began in August as the Coordinator for Peacemaker Formation. Susanna is a member of the York Center Church of the Brethren in Lombard, Illinois, and a recent graduate of Bryn Mawr College. She brings teaching experience and a strong sense of the educational process, along with a wide variety of community service experiences. She will be based in the New Windsor office of On Earth Peace. Kim Stuckey Hissong, former Coordinator of Peacemaker Formation, began graduate studies in social work this fall.
On Earth Peace sponsored the following workshops at Caring Ministries Assembly in Bridgewater, Virginia, in August: "From Acceptance to Affirmation" led by Clyde Carter; "Faith's Imprint During Times of Stress and Violence" with panelists Doris Abdullah and Art Gish (co-sponsored with Association of Brethren Caregivers); "Having the Courage to be a Living Peace Church" led by Barb Sayler; and "Sacred Conversations" led by Reba Herder. In connection with Caring Ministries, Paul Roth led a CEU-accredited class on Ministry with Difficult Behaviors for the Susquehanna Valley Ministry Center. Caring Ministries Wrap-Up
On Earth Peace had staff representatives at six district conferences in July, August, and September providing workshops, worship leadership, and sharing about the ministries of On Earth Peace.
Kay Gaier and Helen Beery led a Ministry of Reconciliation Communication Styles workshop for sixty members of the Wellington United Church of Christ in Chicago, Illinois.
The fall newsletter for On Earth Peace featured glimpses of Song & Story Fest, excerpts from David Waas' speech, "Together We Just Might Save the World" at the On Earth Peace's Annual Conference breakfast, and announcements about events and opportunities sponsored by On Earth Peace.
The Annual Conference Study Committee on Doing Church Business met in August in New Paris, Ohio, and via conference calls through August and September. The committee is approaching a first public draft of their response to the 2006 Annual Conference and welcomes continued prayers and correspondence. E-mails can be sent to doingchurchbusiness@brethren.org.
On August 12 in Westminster, Maryland, On Earth Peace sponsored the public showing of "Seeds of Peace," a film which highlights a ground-breaking peace education program bringing together Israeli and Palestinian youth in a setting which allows them to begin to see each other as real persons, rather than simply as enemies. The film was part of a reunion of sea-going cowboys (those who sailed with boatloads of horses and cattle sent as post-war relief to Europe) held at New Windsor, Maryland. Bob Gross attended the reunion and introduced the film at the community event.
The Youth Peace Travel Team (YPTT) concluded their dynamic summer of outdoor ministry by debriefing with On Earth Peace staff over the weekend of August 12. Nicole Fowler, Rachel McFadden, and Ben Ritchey-Martin met in New Windsor with Kim Stuckey Hissong and Susanna Farahat, and with Ministry Summer Service interns. The MSS interns and YPTT members enjoyed sharing stories from the summer, as well as time for worship and fellowship which lent closure to their ministry experiences.
Ministry of Reconciliation practitioners provided consultations for three congregations this past quarter.
The On Earth Peace Board of Directors met in September at the Anderson Church of the Brethren, Anderson, Indiana, focusing on the devotional theme "Seeking." A few highlights from the meeting included a review of the responses received from a survey conducted at Annual Conference during the On Earth Peace report, a positive financial report for fiscal year 2005 where it appears income will be sufficient to cover expense, the approval of a balanced budget of $502,000 for fiscal year 2006, a report from the staff on emerging goals resulting from work with consultant Erika Thorne on being an anti-racist organization, and recognition of outgoing board member Eugene Lichty for his long service, excellent leadership, and faithful witness. Board Meeting Summary
"Seeking Peace: The Courage to be Nonviolent" was held September 8-11 in Indianapolis, Indiana, hosted by the historic peace churches, held in partnership with the Plowshares Peace Studies Collaborative, Christian Peacemaker Teams, Every Church a Peace Church, Mennonite Central Committee Great Lakes, Mennonite Church USA Peace Advocate and Peace and Justice Support Network, On Earth Peace Assembly, and Quaker House. This gathering brought together over 300 persons from across the United States to build mentoring relationships and explore practical and intellectual approaches to peace and peacemaking through worship, workshops, and fellowship.
Congregational leadership was provided by the following On Earth Peace staff: In August, Barb Sayler led Sunday School at the Bridgewater (VA) Church of the Brethren. In September, Bob Gross spoke at Westernport (MD) Church of the Brethren and Everett (PA) Church of the Brethren.
Brethren from all over the country gathered in front of the Brethren Witness/Washington Offices (BW/WO) on September 24. The group of over 80 included BW/WO and On Earth Peace staff and a very strong showing of Manchester College students. The call for "Books, not bombs," when passing by an enormous book fair on the Mall attracted new (and sometimes very young) folks to Brethren demonstrators. Event organizers estimate 300,000 turned out to express their opposition to American occupation of Iraq.
The Welcome Home Project, a collaborative effort by On Earth Peace and the Association of Brethren Caregivers, helps congregations strengthen circles of care around military personnel and others returning from active duty in conflict zones. Insight sessions offered at Annual Conference (July) and Caring Ministries Assembly (August) provided background and insight into the experiences of those serving in war-torn regions. A committee comprised of Mary Dulabaum, Matt Guynn, Darlene Johnson, Doris Abdullah, and Marianne Pittman, is meeting to identify next steps.
On Earth Peace coordinated national conference calls in August and September for those working to provide alternatives and clear information to youth and young adults considering military service. Network participants have begun setting up information tables in high schools as the school year opens. For information about how to get involved, contact Matt Guynn at 765-962-6234 or mattguynn@earthlink.net. Counter Recruitment

April— June 2005

In April, 27 pastors, Shalom Team members and practitioners gathered at the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, Maryland for the Ministry of Reconciliation workshop, "Building Healthy Congregations," led by Barbara Datè. The workshop covered techniques for assisting congregations in conflict including impact preview and the Datè Discernment Circle.
Matt Guynn provided keynote leadership for Midwest Regional Youth Conference at Manchester College, April 16-17, 2005. Working with the theme, "Seeing God," participants examined the ways the world blinds us to each other and to God, and sought together the promise of Jesus' healing, the basis for a life of powerful discipleship.
Ministry of Reconciliation practitioners Celia Cook-Huffman and Annie Clark co-facilitated a joint meeting of the Council of District Executives and other denominational leaders and Brethren Benefit Trust to discuss the future of the Brethren Medical plan. Participants agreed that a Brethren Medical Plan resolution be taken to the 2005 Annual Conference to receive denominational guidance regarding the future of the plan.
The Mid-Atlantic District Junior High Lock-In, held at the Frederick (MD) Church of the Brethren, brought thirty-five junior high youth together to explore the theme of "One." Scriptural stories included how one person can make a difference in the world, as well as the importance of all the parts of the community working in harmony together.
Co-director Bob Gross attended, and board member Verdena Lee provided worship leadership, at the Cross-cultural Ministries Consultation and Celebration in Richmond, Indiana in April.
The On Earth Peace Board of Directors and staff met April 14-16, 2005 at New Windsor, Maryland. The theme "Signs of the Present; Hope for the Future" provided a focus for the weekend, centering on scriptures that showed signs of God's promise, release, action, mercy, and healing. A few highlights included: reports from board members about the "multi-cultural pulse" of the church at district and local levels with reflections from eighteen districts; discernment of next steps of the board and staff's ongoing commitment to be an anti-racist organization; and discussion of a survey for Annual Conference that will ask questions about the importance and priority of peacemaking in the life of the church.
Jubilee Troupe, an Anabaptist-rooted performance troupe bringing stories and worship experiences to congregations around the country, ended its spring tour in April with performances in North Manchester, Indiana. www.jubileetroupe.org/index.htm.
In May, Bob Gross led a workshop on Christian Peacemaking and Conscientious Objection at the York Center Church of the Brethren. Approximately thirty youth, young adults, and advisors from three Church of the Brethren congregations participated.
Sixteen artists, musicians, educators, theologians, and other creatives gathered May 9-11, in Dayton, Ohio, for POLLINATE, a time of sharing and co-creation, co-sponsored by On Earth Peace, Mack Memorial Church of the Brethren, and First United Methodist Church of Dayton. Participants shared from recent creative work and spent time in worship, culminating in a time of shared creativity. The theme for this prophetic faith-based peace &justice gathering was "CITY-VISION-ART-JUSTICE.".
Twelve Lancaster (PA) Church of the Brethren Junior High Youth came to New Windsor in May for a Peace Retreat to think about inequalities in our world and ways Jesus calls us to be peacemakers and caretakers of our neighbors. The youth also experienced SERRV's "International Fair Trade Festival," held at the Brethren Service Center that weekend.
In May, Barb Sayler led a workshop at the Brethren Service Center on biblical and denominational heritage of peacemaking with the Ministry Formation groups of Atlantic Northeast and Southern Pennsylvania districts.
Bob Gross led three Ministry of Reconciliation (MoR) workshops: a full-day workshop for over fifty pastors, ministers-in-training, and spouses in the West Marva district; an introduction to congregational conflict session at the Missions Alive! conference in Goshen, Indiana; and conflict transformation and mediation workshops for an academic conference at Manchester College.
Recent publications include: the On Earth Peace newsletter "Following Your Conscience," with reflections, information, and resources on conscientious objection; and the Summer 2005 "Coming to Life: Worship Aids for a Living Peace Church," a resource from On Earth Peace and the Brethren Witness/Washington Office, with useful and practical ideas to deliver the gospel message of peace through litanies, prayers, poetry, and ritual. www.brethren.org/oepa/resources.html.
Employees of the Brethren Retirement Community in Greenville, Ohio, participated in a seven week series of "Conflict Transformation in the Workplace" workshops throughout May and June. Participants expressed appreciation for the series, with many earning Continuing Education Units certified by State of Ohio agencies. Annie Clark and Angie Briner of Education for Conflict Resolution, Inc. (North Manchester, Indiana) co-led the workshops.
In June, the 2005 Youth Peace Travel Team (YPTT) — Ben Bear (Nokesville CoB), Nicole Fowler (Roanoke First CoB), Rachel McFadden (Manchester CoB), and Ben Ritchey Martin (Grossnickle CoB) — began their summer training by participating in the General Board's Ministry Summer Service program. Their orientation continued at Camp Inspiration Hills (OH) as they met with YPTT staff members. The YPTT, a joint project of On Earth Peace, Outdoor Ministries Association, and the General Board's Brethren Volunteer Service, Brethren Witness/ Washington, and Youth/Young Adult Ministry offices, attended Annual Conference and will provide leadership at eight camps. www.brethren.org/oepa/yptt.html.
MoR practitioners consulted with three congregations around the denomination this spring. Clyde Carter, Daleville, Virginia, led one Matthew 18 workshop at the Williamson Road Congregation in Roanoke, Virginia.
Since April 2005, On Earth Peace has been supporting people who are reaching out to youth to provide alternatives to military service and uncovering the untruths that military recruiters often offer. Congregations and community groups in California, Nebraska, Colorado, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Michigan, and beyond are planning activities in local high schools. A series of calls and an e-mail list are supporting networking and co-inspiration. Contact Matt Guynn at 765-962-6234 or mattguynn@earthlink.net if you would like to join the e-mail list or be on the next call.
Congregations are invited to take part in The Welcome Home Project: A Living Peace Church Response for Returning Military Personnel and Others. The mission of the project, a joint effort between the Association of Brethren Caregivers and On Earth Peace, is to help congregations become places of healing and reconciliation for military personnel and others as they deal with the physical, mental, psychological, and spiritual wounds from war zones, and to strengthen the circles of care surrounding them. www.brethren.org/oepa/WelcomeHomeProject.html.
On Earth Peace is giving a copy of Biblical Pacifism by Dale Brown to each ministry student, and minister-in-training, in the Church of the Brethren. This was made possible by a donation from long-time supporters of On Earth Peace. The On Earth Peace staff recently read and discussed Biblical Pacifism together and created a study guide for congregations. BiblicalPacifismStudyGuide.pdf.

January — March 2005

In January, Kim Stuckey Hissong, Rick Polhamus (Fletcher, Ohio), and Dena Lee (Kent, Ohio) provided leadership for a peace retreat at Camp Harmony in the Western Pennsylvania district. Using the theme "Life on the Road," forty youth spent time learning and discussing peacemaking and forgiveness.
At the College of Wooster in Ohio, Matt Guynn, along with On Earth Peace board members Dena Lee and David Jehnsen, led a four-hour training on using Martin Luther King, Jr.'s methods of nonviolent conflict reconciliation to address social problems, as part of the college's annual King Day celebrations.
The On Earth Peace staff went on their annual staff retreat in January at Camp Harmony in Western Pennsylvania. For part of the retreat, they were joined by the staff of Association of Brethren Caregivers for mutual updates and collaborative planning.
Also in January, Bob Gross was with the York Center Church of the Brethren to preach and lead Sunday school, followed by a meeting with members of the Springfield (IL) Church of the Brethren interested in peace and reconciliation ministries.
Barb Sayler met with the steering committee of the new Church of the Brethren denominational initiative titled TOGETHER: Conversations on Being the Church, at Bethany Seminary in January. The goal of TOGETHER is a denomination-wide conversation on the state of the church, which will begin with a training in New Windsor, Maryland, in February 2006.
Each Wednesday evening for eight weeks in January - March, Kim Stuckey Hissong met with the middle school youth at the Frederick (MD) Church of the Brethren. Using the theme "Peace is ...," youth explored scriptures and participated in activities to help develop a comprehensive view of peacemaking.
In early February, Barb Sayler and On Earth Peace Chair Bev Weaver attended the Inter-Agency Forum (IAF) meetings in Daytona Beach, Florida, meeting with executives and board chairs from all Annual Conference agencies. While there, Barb Sayler and Brethren Benefit Trust staff Nevin Dulabaum presented a proposal for shared representation and a rotation schedule among the agencies at district conferences. This plan will be implemented in the 2005 district conference season.
Matt Guynn provided one-on-one leadership encouragement related to peace witness for individuals and congregations in North Carolina, Kansas, California, Iowa, and Indiana. These visits included discernment, encouragement, and support for emerging faith-based peace projects with pastors, church members, and a district executive. If you would like this kind of support for your peacemaking ministries, contact Matt at 765-962-6234 or mattguynn@earthlink.net.
Annie Clark presented a review of Church of the Brethren approaches to reconciliation to a joint meeting of Church of the Brethren and American Baptist leaders in early February in New Windsor, Maryland.
Programs on the Middle East conflict and efforts for peacemaking were presented in February by Bob Gross to several high school classes, the Manchester (IN) Church of the Brethren, and a group at the Timbercrest Retirement Community.
In February, Dena Lee, On Earth Peace board member, and Annie Clark joined over seventy college administrators, college chaplains, pastors, young adults, and others for the "Church-College Conversation" on issues of faith, leadership, and vocation hosted by Manchester College.
In February and March, Jubilee Troupe, comprised of Chris Fitz, Holly White, Christina Cruz, and Tabea Steinbesser, performed or led workshops in twelve congregations in California, Arizona, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Maryland, including seven within the Church of the Brethren. An improvisational theater and performance troupe sponsored by On Earth Peace and several other agencies, the troupe brings a message of jubilee justice and the Beloved Community where all have a chance to tell their stories. For information on Jubilee's April 2005 tour in Indiana, visit www.jubileetroupe.org.
In February, the "Peace Retreat Leadership Team" met for the first time at the On Earth Peace offices in New Windsor, Maryland. The team has been selected to help expand and energize the existing retreat program of On Earth Peace. The Planning Weekend brought the Team together to get to know one another and to begin to share ideas related to how to teach peace to youth. Current team members include Carrie Eikler (Richmond, IN), Debbie Eisenbise (Kalamazoo, MI), Dena Lee (Kent, OH), and Rick Polhamus (Fletcher, OH). Watch for this Team to be in action throughout the denomination in 2005!
Twenty five youth, young adults, and parents attended "Wanted: 13-26, A Workshop on Conscientious Objection" at the Manchester (IN) Church of the Brethren in February. John Hartsough, Manchester Church of the Brethren, and Dena Lee, Akron (OH) Eastwood Church of the Brethren, provided leadership for the event. The format was designed to educate the youth, allow them to formulate their own thinking about conscientious objection, war, and the selective service, and consider filing a conscientious objection statement with the Brethren Witness/Washington Office.
Matt Guynn met for the second time with the Annual Conference Study Committee on Doing Church Business, which is considering how to enhance and model Christ-like ways of doing business at the Church of the Brethren Annual Conference. The committee laid plans for interviews and information-gathering during spring and summer 2005 in preparation for drafting its report. Please correspond with the committee at doingchurchbusiness@brethren.org.
In March, On Earth Peace began producing a monthly column, "Living Peace Church News & Notes," for congregations and districts to include in their newsletters and publications. This ready-to-use column, sent via e-mail in PDF format, will have information about topics of concern for Brethren peacemakers, announcements of upcoming events, and practical guides for reconciliation and peace work. If you would like to receive this column monthly, e-mail Barb Sayler at bsayler_oepa@brethren.org. Be sure to specify if it should be sent to an address other than your own.
In March, an Anabaptist Consultation on Alternative Service, held at the Church of the Brethren General Offices in Elgin, Illinois, brought together more than 90 people from different religious groups to dialogue about the draft, alternative service, and current volunteer service programs. Kim Stuckey Hissong represented On Earth Peace, as well as board members Dena Lee, Kent, Ohio, and Debbie Roberts, La Verne, California. Staff from Selective Service provided a presentation during the consultation, saying that the Selective Service office is NOT preparing to re-institute the draft. However, given the present situation, On Earth Peace and many related groups are considering how to organize alternatives to military service and to do counterrecruitment. Visit www.brethren.org/oepa for more information.
Members of On Earth Peace's Peace Witness Action List received an average of fifteen e-mails a month in January-March, with inspiring and compelling news of creative nonviolence in the United States and around the world. As of April 1, the list had 384 members. To join, contact mattguynn@earthlink.net.
On Earth Peace provided a workshop about conscientious objection to twenty youth and advisors at Eastern Regional Youth Conference held at Juniata College. Juniata senior Denique Connor shared her personal story of coming to conscientious objection after being called up from the Army Reserves to serve in Afghanistan.
The fourth and final 30th Anniversary event for On Earth Peace took place March 4-6 in the Pacific Southwest region. Two concerts featured the 1994 JOYA (Journey of Young Adults) quartet, LuAnne Harley, Shawn Kirchner, Brian Kruschwitz, and Barb Sayler, at the Modesto (CA) Church of the Brethren and the La Verne (CA) Church of the Brethren. Also at La Verne, JOYA provided worship leadership, and Sunday school leadership was provided by Annie Clark and Bob Gross. JOYA also spent time that week recording a CD which will be released in June 2005. At the Empire (CA) Church of the Brethren, thirty-two pastors, church board members, and lay leaders attended the Conflict Transformation for Congregational Leaders Workshop. Participants explored their relationship to conflict, leadership, and power, practiced communication skills, and chose between afternoon sessions for pastors, deacons and other caregivers, and meeting facilitators. Leadership was provided by Tom Longenecker, pastor from Glendale (CA) Church of the Brethren, Bob Gross, and Annie Clark.
In the midst of a March snow storm, five families attended the Northern Ohio Peace Skills in the Family workshop at Camp Inspiration Hills. Friday night, the district's Peace Task Team led the families in an evening of learning, devotion, and recreation. On Saturday, Russ Veal, Northern Ohio Peace worker, taught peace skills to the children, while Anke Pietsche, Cinncinnati (OH) Church of the Brethren, and Annie Clark led the parents in listening skills, dealing with anger, stress relief, and discussing the pressures the media imposes on the family.

October — December 2004

Annie Clark and Bob Gross worked with a congregation in the Midwest in October to envision their outreach in the local community. This occurred through worship, group interactions, visioning exercises, and dreaming how the church can play an active part in the world.
In October at the Brethren Volunteer Service Orientation in New Windsor, Maryland, Matt Guynn led three sessions focusing on unconditional grace and love: "Empowered Action for Change and Nonviolence in the Christian Tradition"; "Conflict & Communication"; and "Dynamics of Diversity."
From July through November, On Earth Peace staff and board attended twenty District Conferences. Leadership was provided at sessions on conscientious objection, practical ideas for peacemaking, Peace Basket resources, and how to be a living peace church, as well meeting with the youth at several districts.
Matt Guynn and 2004 Youth Peace Travel Team members Carrie Fry-Miller and Jeff McAvoy led a peace retreat November 5-6 for approximately 45 youth at Camp Emmaus in the Illinois/Wisconsin district. Receiving God's grace and staying rooted in love while in the midst of conflict were the themes of the retreat.
The Ministry of Reconciliation workshop "Mediating Interpersonal Conflict" took place November 11-13, at Camp Mack, Milford, Indiana. Fourteen participants from four districts gathered to learn communication skills, the Biblical basis for conflict transformation, the mediation process, and applying these newly-acquired skills in role play situations. At the close of the workshop, participants expressed appreciation for skills applicable both to the life of the church and to one's personal life.
The third of four 30th Anniversary events for On Earth Peace took place November 11-13 in the Plains region. Two concerts featured the 1994 JOYA (Journey of Young Adults) quartet, LuAnne Harley, Shawn Kirchner, Brian Kruschwitz, and Barb Sayler, at the Kansas City (KS) First Central Church of the Brethren and the McPherson (KS) Church of the Brethren. Also at McPherson, over forty persons attended a day-long "Conflict Transformation for Congregational Leaders" workshop, led by Leslie Frye, Vicki Samland, and Bob Gross. That same weekend, worship leadership was provided by Bob Gross at the Hutchinson (KS) Community Church of the Brethren and by JOYA at the Wichita (KS) Church of the Brethren. One more 30th Anniversary event will occur in March 2005 in the Pacific Southwest region.
The Ministry of Reconciliation Practioner Network recognized one new practitioner this fall: Mike Crump from Cascade, Michigan, at the apprentice level.
In November, Matt Guynn led an evening of strategic planning for Brethren Peace Fellowship members meeting at the Codorus (PA) Church of the Brethren. Members considered the history of the group and what is happening right now politically as they envisioned their next steps.
The weekend before Thanksgiving, 16,000 people gathered in Columbus, Georgia, to participate in the annual faith-based witness against the School of the Americas, located at Fort Benning (see www.soaw.org). On Earth Peace and the General Board's Brethren Witness/Washington Office co-sponsored a Church of the Brethren gathering on Saturday evening of more than 100 people, including students of at least five of the Brethren colleges. The gathering featured Mutual Kumquat, a fusion-funk-rock band including several recent Manchester College graduates.
From November 18 to December 9, Bob Gross was in the Middle East, leading a delegation to Israel/Palestine and working with Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT). The fifteen-member delegation, sponsored by On Earth Peace and CPT, included six members of the Church of the Brethren. In addition to meetings with Israeli and Palestinian peace, development, and human rights groups, the delegation helped to replant 100 olive trees in a Palestinian village where trees had been uprooted by the Israeli army in September.
The Ministry of Reconciliation provided consultation, workshops and/or facilitation services to five churches, three districts, one college, and one community group this fall.
Matt Guynn provided one-on-one support and coaching for several individuals across the denomination who are considering their vocation for peacemaking and how to grow stronger in their peace witness. These included pastors, church board members, and other church members. If you would like support for your vocation of peacemaking in your congregation or community, contact Matt at 765-962-6234 or mattguynn@earthlink.net.
Plans were laid this fall for the spring tour of Jubilee Troupe, a performance group using theater, storytelling, and dance to address themes of justice, community, and church renewal. An independent project supported by On Earth Peace, Jubilee Troupe will be touring the denomination in the late winter and spring of 2005. Learn more about Jubilee Troupe at www.jubileetroupe.org, or contact coordinator Chris Fitz toll free at 888-228-4491.

July — September 2004

At the 2004 Annual Conference in Charleston, West Virginia, On Earth Peace staff and friends were busy providing leadership at ten insight sessions; sponsoring our annual breakfast featuring the 1994 JOYA (Journey of Young Adults) quartet who have regathered this year to help On Earth Peace celebrate our 30th Anniversary; staffing our display with its numerous resources, bumperstickers, and buttons; and, through the Ministry of Reconciliation, being available to assist in clear communication, resolving conflicts, and providing mediation. In the business session, Matt Guynn was named to a denominational study committee on "Doing Church Business."
On Earth Peace co-sponsored a Senior High Workcamp this July in Los Angeles, California. Beth Rhodes, 2004 Workcamp Co-Coordinator, Gilbert Romero, pastor of the Bella Vista (CA) Church of the Brethren, and Kim Stuckey led this experience of peacemaking in an urban setting as 22 youth and advisors trekked through Skid Row and downtown Los Angeles. The group worked at mission shelters and handed out cups of cold water to homeless folks on Skid Row. Bella Vista Church of the Brethren provided hospitality for the group for the week.
At the beginning of August, Holly White, a recent Bethany Seminary graduate, represented On Earth Peace during Western Regional Youth Conference in San Francisco, California The theme for the conference was "Living In God's Hands Together. Holly led a workshop and participated in worship leadership. Participants at the conference also collected $400.34 in an offering for the work of On Earth Peace.
The 2004 Youth Peace Travel Team (YPTT) and staff gathered at the Brethren Service Center for a time of wrap-up and debriefing from the summer experience The YPTT, a joint project of the General Board's Brethren Volunteer Service, Brethren Witness/ Washington, and Youth/Young Adult Ministry offices, as well as Outdoor Ministries Association and On Earth Peace, attended National Young Adult Conference and Annual Conference and provided leadership at seven camps this summer. 2004 YPTT members were Tiffany Carty, Seville, OH; Carrie Fry-Miller, Ft. Wayne, IN; Jeff McAvoy, Live Oak, CA; and Matt Witkovsky, Huntingdon, PA.
The second of four 30th Anniversary events for On Earth Peace took place in August, in the Mid-Atlantic region. This weekend featured two concerts by the 1994 JOYA (Journey of Young Adults) quartet, LuAnne Harley, Shawn Kirchner, Brian Kruschwitz, and Barb Sayler, held at the Brethren Service Center (New Windsor, MD) and the Bridgewater (VA) Church of the Brethren. That same weekend, worship leadership was provided by Bob Gross at the Bridgewater Church of the Brethren, and by JOYA at the Linville Creek (Broadway, VA) Church of the Brethren, M.R.Zigler's home congregation. Upcoming 30th Anniversary events will be in the Plains region in November and the Pacific Southwest in March 2005
Matt Guynn set up speaking engagements in three congregations for Peggy Gish, a Christian Peacemaker Teams member who has just returned from Baghdad, among Church of the Brethren congregations. If you are interested in inviting Peggy to speak in your congregation or community, contact Matt at mattguynn@earthlink.net or 765-962-6234.
Matt Guynn and Annie Clark provided continued conflict transformation training at the Brethren Retirement Community, Greenville, Ohio, for a group of 20 manager-level staff.
At Week-in-Office in August, On Earth Peace staff planned events for the 2005 calendar year, worked on the budget for fiscal year 2005, worked with Phil Jones of the Brethren Witness/Washington Office on coordinating future activities, and met with Chris Fitz to talk about Jubilee Troupe, an independent project supported by On Earth Peace.
From July through September, On Earth Peace staff and board attended eleven District Conferences. Annie Clark and John Hartsough of the Manchester (IN) Church of the Brethren co-led an insight session on conscientious objection at the Northern Ohio district conference, co-sponsored by the district's Peace Task Team. Bob Gross led an insight session on practical ideas for peacemaking, and met with the district youth, at the Northern Plains district conference.
Matt Guynn participated in the continued planning meetings for "Conversations on Being the Church," an initiative catalyzed by the Council of District Executives. Plans are being laid for district, regional, and national conversations in 2006-2007 about what it means to be the Church of the Brethren today.
At the National Older Adult Conference, September 6-10, On Earth Peace provided leadership for six workshops attended by more than 300 people overall Bob Gross led three of the workshops, and hosted a meeting for persons interested in the welcome project for returning soldiers, described above.
The Ministry of Reconciliation provided consultation services to one Church of the Brethren congregation, one midwestern Christian congregation, and one secular business partnership. Workshops covering leadership, personality styles and communication skills were given at two churches this summer.
The Peoria (IL) First Church of the Brethren hosted SueZann Boslerin mid-September in a "Taking Action" program as a way to lift concerns about the death penalty Bosler, of Hollandale, FL, survived a violent attack which left her father dead, and through her Christian commitment, reconciled with the attacker in prison If you would like to invite SueZann to share her testimony in your congregation, contact Matt Guynn at mattguynn@earthlink.net or 765-962-6234.
The On Earth Peace Board of Directors and staff met September 24-25, at the Brethren Service Center, with the theme "Living God's Peace — Together" providing a focus for the weekend. Highlights from the weekend included: a 5-hour training with the General Board's Anti-Racism Team; a positive financial report just days before the end of the fiscal year; stories of inspiration, transformation, and cooperation by the staff; calling the 2004-2005 Executive Committee of Bev Weaver (Chair), Ken Frantz (Vice-Chair), Phil Miller (Treasurer), Lauree Hersch Meyer (Secretary), and Doris Abdullah and Dena Gilbert (At-Large); working on a "case study" to think about how to respond in situations in which the peace testimony of the Church of the Brethren is not being supported, perhaps even being attacked, within the denomination; adopting a budget of $440,000 for fiscal year 2005; and recognizing Tom Leard Longenecker for five years of service to the On Earth Peace board .
On Earth Peace and the Association of Brethren Caregivers have developed a working group to plan a new project focused on concern for persons returning from military service in Iraq or Afghanistan. Still in the formative stage, the effort will help congregations reach out to returning soldiers in their communities, many of whom will bear emotional and spiritual scars from their experience.

April — June 2004

The On Earth Peace Board of Directors and staff met April 16-17, 2004 at New Windsor, Maryland.With the theme "Sown, Grown, and Living" providing a focus for the weekend, the group took time to reflect on sowing the seeds of peace while reaping the fruits of reconciliation. Highlights included: welcoming special guests Santos Morales, Bryan Hissong, and David Ort; sharing plans about On Earth Peace's 30th Anniversary celebration (see below for more information); developing a three-year evaluation cycle of the executive directors and the organization by the personnel committee; and, showing a positive financial report with both income and expense on budget.
Forty church leaders from seven districts gathered at the Brethren Service Center on April 23 to attend "Conflict Transformation for Congregational Leaders," a workshop co-sponsored by Southern Pennsylvania and Mid-Atlantic Districts and On Earth Peace. Overall leadership was provided by Angela Lahman-Yoder (Glendale, Arizona), Bob Gross, and Matt Guynn. Participants spent the morning learning the dynamics of conflict, and transformation in conflict settings; and in the afternoon chose one of three tracks to sharpen their reconciliation skills in meeting facilitation, deacon ministry, or pastoral ministry.
The Ministry of Reconciliation Practitioner Network Coordinating Team met in New Windsor, Maryland, in April, recognizing three new practitioners: Mark Chidley (Cape Coral, FL), Anne Haynes Price (Laguna Beach, CA), and Carol Spicher Waggy (Goshen, Indiana).
Using the theme "Simply," McPherson College held its annual Regional Youth Conference in April. Matt Guynn provided keynote leadership, using meditative "centering prayers" as a focus point, while challenging youth to look at priorities in the context of U.S. consumer culture, and the need to turn toward the living presence of God. Kim Stuckey also provided leadership, leading workshops and discussions about conscientious objection.
In early May, Barb Sayler provided leadership at the Northern Ohio district "Snapshots of a Living Peace Church" event. The weekend was filled with music, brainstorming, and examining the many aspects of loving our enemies.
The West Marva district invited Bob Gross to lead a two-day workshop, "Understanding Church Conflict", for its Discipleship and Reconciliation team and other district leaders, May 13-15 at Grantsville, Maryland.
Bob Gross and Tom Leard Longenecker led a workshop on consensus decision-making for the Oregon/Washington district on May 22. Oregon/Washington has been using a consensus approach in district board meetings and in the 2003 district conference. Some congregations have also been using a consensus process in their meetings.
Also in May, Matt Guynn and Bryan Hissong participated in meetings of the U. S. Committee for Decade to Overcome Violence (DOV). This meeting brought together persons from eight denominations to lay plans for the next two years of DOV activities and to confer about what's happening in each of the denominational programs.
Consultation services were provided by the Ministry of Reconciliation to five congregations and two districts. These services were provided by Carol Spicher Waggy, Celia Cook-Huffman, Paul Schrock, Paul Roth, and Matt Guynn. In addition Bob Gross and Annie Clark worked throughout the summer in conjunction with Education for Conflict Resolution (North Manchester, IN) to provide organizational mediation services to a secular partnership.
In June, the 2004 Youth Peace Travel Team (YPTT) — Tiffany Carty, Seville, OH; Carrie Fry-Miller, Ft. Wayne, IN; Jeff McAvoy, Live Oak, CA; and Matt Witkovsky, Huntingdon, PA — completed their training at the Northview (IN) Church of the Brethren. The YPTT, a joint project of the General Board's Brethren Volunteer Service, Brethren Witness/ Washington, and Youth/Young Adult Ministry offices, as well as Outdoor Ministries Association and On Earth Peace, attended National Young Adult Conference and Annual Conference and are providing leadership at seven camps this summer.
Kim Stuckey attended and provided leadership for three padares (a term in Zimbabwe that means "a meeting place of ideas") at National Young Adult Conference in Colorado. Padare participants discussed the Church of the Brethren as a Living Peace Church and shared ideas for how to energize their home congregations and the denomination. During worship one evening, a monetary offering was taken to support the ministries of On Earth Peace, collecting $847. The Youth Peace Travel Team was also present to provide leadership for a padare and to serve as hosts for an evening coffeehouse.
In June, On Earth Peace co-sponsored Trailblazer Camp at Brethren Woods in the Shenandoah district. This special senior high camp met each morning for Bible study and corresponding sessions, focusing on different issues of peace and justice. Afternoons were devoted to recreation and adventure activities. Providing leadership throughout the week were Paul Roth, Linetta Ballew, Kim Stuckey, and the 2004 Youth Peace Travel Team.
On Earth Peace co-sponsored the Antietam Song & Story Fest, "Gathered at the Cross-Roads of Conflict and Conscience," June 28-July 2, 2004, at Camp Shepherd's Spring (Sharpsburg, MD). Bob and Rachel Gross, Phil and Louie Baldwin Rieman, Mark Lancaster and Barb Sayler provided peace workshops on working from struggle to nonviolence, loving our enemies, and following the call of conscience. One afternoon, participants spent time at the nearby Antietam battlefield ending at the Dunker Meeting House for worship and reflection about our foreparents' witness as pacifists in a war-torn situation.
Matthew 18 workshops, which focus on effective communication, the Biblical basis for Christian reconciliation, and conflict transformation, took place at Mt. Hermon Church of the Brethren (Bassett, VA) and Bunkertown Church of the Brethren (McAlisterville PA). Both were led by Clyde Carter of Daleville, Virginia.
Rick Polhamus (Pleasant Hill, Ohio) led summer staff in learning and practicing conflict transformation skills at Camp Woodland Altars (Peebles, OH) in June.
The first of four 30th Anniversary events for On Earth Peace took place in the Great Lakes region in June. These events, held at the Trotwood (OH) Church of the Brethren and the Bethany (New Paris, IN) Church of the Brethren, featured two concerts by the 1994 JOYA (Journey of Young Adults) quartet, LuAnne Harley, Shawn Kirchner, Brian Kruschwitz, and Barb Sayler. Also at the Bethany Church of the Brethren, ten persons attended a day-long "Conflict Transformation for Congregational Leaders" workshop, led by Annie Clark, Kay Gaier, and Bob Gross. Upcoming 30th Anniversary events will be in the Mid-Atlantic region in August, the Plains region in November, and the Pacific Southwest in March 2005.
In response to the 2003 Annual Conference resolution, "A Call for a Living Peace Church," On Earth Peace and the Brethren Witness/Washington Office released the first issue of "Coming to Life: Worship Aids for the Living Peace Church" in June. Original submissions as well as resource ideas from anyone in the church are welcomed and can be sent via e-mail to bsayler_oepa@brethren.org.

January — March 2004

In January, Matt Guynn and Rachel Peterson participated in a Decade to Overcome Violence (DOV) meeting in New York, sponsored by the National Council of Churches (NCC) and the World Council of Churches (WCC). The WCC has decided to make United States peacemaking efforts the DOV focus for 2004, with the theme of "The Power and Promise of Peace." The meeting brought together denominational representatives from the US and and the international DOV advisory group to confer about the progress of DOV efforts especially within the U.S.
At Camp Brethren Heights in Rodney, Michigan, twenty-five youth gathered for their annual winter rally with leadership from On Earth Peace. Focusing on the "great cloud of witnesses" found in Hebrews 11, Kim Stuckey and Debbie Eisenbise, pastor of the Skyridge (Kalamazoo, MI) Church of the Brethren, activities and games related to learning about Brethren history and heritage, conscientious objection, and nonviolence as a method of solving problems.
Staff development: Bob Gross participated in the Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT) orientation and training in Chicago, and will be a part of the CPT reserve corps, available to serve in a violence reduction role in the Middle East, Columbia, or elsewhere; Matt Guynn participated in a five-day consultation on how to teach social change strategy in Occidental, CA; and Barb Sayler participated in "As Jesus Lived and Taught," a "Welcoming Table" retreat sponsored by Every Church a Peace Church.
Barb Sayler met with the Mid-Atlantic District Peace and Justice Committee in late January to brainstorm ideas to help the district actively answer the 2003 Annual Conference "Call to be a Living Peace Church."
At a Pacific Southwest District Youth Retreat in La Verne, California, youth were encouraged to "Disturb the Peace" by examining the life and examples of Jesus, Church of the Brethren movers and shakers, and other peacemakers who work(ed) actively to change injustice in our world. Erica Schatz, 2003 Youth Peace Travel Team member and a graduate student at the University of La Verne, and Kim Stuckey used role plays, simulations, prayer, and scripture from Micah 6:8 to encourage youth to think about what God is requiring of them right now.
In February, Bob Gross led a workshop for staff of Camp Mack, Milford, Indiana. The sessions focused on working styles and communication skills. Early reports indicate that the workshop has been of significant value to the staff of the camp, and a follow-up session is planned.
At the end of February, twenty junior high youth from the Frederick (MD) and other area Churches of the Brethren gathered to learn more about a Christian response to anger. Entitled "Temper, Temper," youth examined scriptures and participated in activities to determine the nature of anger — is it good or bad?
Matthew 18 workshops on conflict, faith, and communication were given at Mount Pleasant Church of the Brethren (Harrisonburg, VA, by Paul Roth), and Peace Covenant Church of the Brethren (Durham, NC, by Clyde Carter and Karen Mortimer).
In mid-March, over 120 Church of the Brethren members and friends from various faith traditions came to the La Verne Church of the Brethren in southern California for the third annual Organizing for Peace gathering, "Widening the Circle: Peacemaking in the Midst of Diversity." The event, co-sponsored by On Earth Peace, the University of La Verne (ULV), and the La Verne Church of the Brethren, was intended to deepen the spiritual roots of faith-based peacemakers working in a world diverse in race, class, and religion. Seventeen Church of the Brethren congregations and eight colleges or universities were represented. Speakers included Lourdes Arguelles, professor of education at Claremont (CA) Graduate University; Daniel Loera, director of Multicultural Affairs at ULV; Muslim imam Ali Siddiqui; James Lawson, an associate of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.; Elizabeth Conde-Frazier, professor at Claremont School of Theology. Jubilee Troupe, an Anabaptist-based interactive arts ensemble, made its debut at the conference.The troupe contributed sacred drama and dance, reflecting the feelings and dreams expressed by conference participants.
Matt Guynn provided a workshop on creativity and working as an ensemble for Jubilee Troupe, a new Church of the Brethren-related performance group. Please visit www.jubileetroupe.org for more information on the Troupe's upcoming activities.
We're excited to announce that Annie Clark of North Manchester, Indiana, has joined the staff of On Earth Peace as Coordinator of the Conflict Transformation program. In addition to teaching elementary school, Annie brings extensive experience as a caseworker, mediation practitioner, and trainer at mediation and conflict transformation centers in northern Indiana. Annie can be contacted at annieclark@mchsi.com or 260-982-8595.
Bev Weaver and Bob Gross provided consultation services through the Ministry of Reconciliation program for a congregation in Indiana. Also, Matt Guynn facilitated a community meeting in Richmond, Indiana, related to a school rezoning controversy, and co-facilitated (with Barbara Daté) a community conflict meeting in the OR/WA district.
This quarter, congregational leadership (worship, Sunday School, DOV, etc.) was provided: Kim Stuckey at Mountville (PA) and Union Bridge (MD); Matt Guynn at Springfield (OR) and Pleasant Hill (OH); and Barb Sayler at Lorida (FL).
In mid-March, Rachel Peterson completed more than a year of volunteering through Brethren Volunteer Service (BVS) as a Program Assistant for On Earth Peace and as Coordinator for the Church of the Brethren Decade to Overcome Violence. Rachel brought high energy, creativity, and a wonderful intellect to her work. BVSer Bryan Hissong has stepped into the role of Interim Coordinator for DOV, while he also continues with the Brethren Witness/Washington Office as Senior Legislative Associate. He will serve as Interim DOV Coordinator until August 2004.

October-December 2003

In October and December, Jan Long, Bob Gross, and Matt Guynn led two day-long staff development workshops for managers at the Brethren's Home in Greenville, Ohio. The trainings focused on conflict and communication skills.
Bob Gross led four sessions with Brethren Volunteer Service Unit #257 which was based at the North Manchester, Indiana home of the Kindy and Gross families for two weeks of the unit.
On Earth Peace launched a new initiative in October, called "Sharing the Story," to spread books among denomination members and beyond. Five different books related to peace have been released to individuals across the country, with several copies of each book in circulation. After reading the book, these individuals are asked to pass the book along to another person. For more information, contact Kim Stuckey at 410-635-8706.
From July through November, On Earth Peace staff, board members, and volunteers attended twenty District Conferences. Leadership at these conferences included meeting with district peace committees, preaching, consultations regarding controversial issues, using consensus decision-making, and facilitating open discussion forums. Insight sessions on being a living peace church, reconciliation, biblical peacemaking, the Decade to Overcome Violence, and Matthew 18 workshops were also provided.
A unique workshop sponsored and led by the Ministry of Reconciliation and held at Camp Mack on November 20-22 was called "Through the Storm - Leadership in Times of Controversy". The heart of the training event, which drew 45 participants from nine districts, was a day in which key leaders from the Michigan and South/Central Indiana districts reflected on the storms of controversy about homosexuality and related issues in their districts and the lessons learned as they sought to provide leadership in difficult times. The issues behind the conflicts were not discussed, so that the focus could be on learning from the experience. The primary purpose of the workshop was for pastors, deacons, reconcilers, and other leaders in the church to learn from the experience of these leaders and strengthen their own leadership abilities. However, it became apparent that another important benefit of the event was providing a safe and prayerful space in which those invited could share with each other and with other workshop participants about the experience of facing stormy times in the church. Leadership was provided by Bob Gross, Matt Guynn, Jan Long, Don Parker, Mark Flory Steury, and Christy Waltersdorff.
Forty-eight participants braved a snowstorm to attend the second biennial Decade to Overcome Violence training event, "Overcome Evil With Good," in December at New Windsor, Maryland. Co-sponsored by On Earth Peace and the Brethren Witness/Washington Office, this event was formative in organizing district and congregational organizers for the work of the Decade throughout the Church of the Brethren. BVS staff person Rachel Peterson coordinated the event with the assistance of staff leadership from On Earth Peace and the Brethren Witness office, and worship leadership provided by Jeff Carter and David Radcliff. Central to the training event were the presentations provided by Bernard Lafayette, Jr. and David Jehnsen, who both worked with the nonviolent Luther King, Jr. Other events of the weekend included shared meals, shared stories, and a shared dialogue in how the Decade to Overcome Violence program could best be structured within the Church of the Brethren.
On Earth Peace and the Brethren Witness/Washington Office are working together to answer the Call from the 2003 Annual Conference to be a Living Peace Church, by deepening existing programs, developing new efforts, and reaching out to other agencies within the church, as the denomination seeks a living peace tradition. Beginning April 2004, a quarterly resource including worship resources, sermon illustrations, Bible studies, and ideas for Sunday school, will be distributed to all congregations, called "Coming to Life: Worship Resources for the Living Peace Church." For Annual Conference in 2004, there will be several Insight Sessions growing directly from the Call as well as ways that congregations and individuals will be able to share about how they are working to create a living peace tradition.
In December, Barb Sayler led the Middle Pennsylvania District Living Peace Church Committee through a time of discernment and planning as they work to answer the Call to be a Living Peace Church.
Staff have worked directly with several congregations this quarter. Bob Gross taught Sunday School and preached at the Spring Run (PA) Church of the Brethren, and led a Matthew 18 Workshop and provided leadership in Sunday School and worship at the Circle of Peace (AZ) Church of the Brethren. Barb Sayler taught Sunday School and provided leadership and special music for the peace pole dedication at the Hanover (PA) Church of the Brethren. Rachel Peterson and Kim Stuckey spent an afternoon of planning and resource sharing with the Palmyra (PA) Church of the Brethren's Peace Action Team, who is working on more ways to involve the congregation in peacemaking efforts.
On Earth Peace staff continue to work with a group of church members, staff, and students in La Verne, CA to plan Organizing for Peace 2004. Entitled "Widening the Circle: Peacemaking in the midst of diversity," this event continues the opportunity of providing a hands-on, Biblical peacemaking conference for church members, college students, and ecumenical friends. Registration for the conference is available on-line or by contacting Kim Stuckey at 410-635-8706. For more information, visit the website, www.brethren.org/oepa/ofp2004.html.

July - September 2003

At Annual Conference in Boise, Idaho, this summer, the delegate body passed a "Call for a Living Peace Church" resolution brought from On Earth Peace and the General Board. In addition, On Earth Peace staff and friends provided leadership at twelve insight sessions; sponsored our annual breakfast; staffed our display with its numerous resources, bumperstickers, and buttons; and, through the Ministry of Reconciliation (MoR), assisted in communication, resolving conflicts, and providing mediation.

Two youth groups interested in learning more about the heritage of the Church of the Brethren and the Brethren Service Center came to New Windsor for learning and working. Barb Sayler led two sessions on peacemaking and communication with the youth from the Bridgewater Church of the Brethren (VA) and a "sister" church from Germany. Kim Stuckey led a session with the youth group from the Ephrata Church of the Brethren (PA) about the work of peacemaking and reconciliation in the church.
On Earth Peace sponsored five workshops at the Association of Brethren Caregiver's Caring Ministries Conference in August. Leadership included: Marty Barlow, Clyde Carter, Barbara Daté, Matt Guynn, and Barb Sayler. Barb Sayler also served on the overall planning committee for the conference.
In August, Matt Guynn, Jim Moore, and Liz and Greg Bidgood-Enders led "Conflict Transformation for Congregational Leaders Workshop," co-sponsored with the Southern Ohio district. This workshop which featured sessions on power, leadership, transformation, and communication skills, and afternoon breakout sessions for pastors, deacons, and those wanting to build facilitation skills, drew 31 participants from at least 15 congregations.
From July through September, On Earth Peace staff and board attended eleven District Conferences. Leadership at these conferences included consultations regarding controversial issues, using consensus decision-making, and facilitating open discussion forums. Insight sessions on biblical peacemaking, the Decade to Overcome Violence, and Matthew 18 workshops were also provided.
In late August, Barb Sayler along with six others traveled to Sudan and Kenya on a Faith and Advocacy trip sponsored by the General Board Global Mission Partnerships to learn more about Sudan's history of famine, civil war, slavery, terrorism, and oil.
On Earth Peace staff provided leadership at several retreats and workshops. In August, Rachel Peterson led a retreat at the York First Church of the Brethren (PA) focusing on the Decade to Overcome Violence (DOV). Kim Stuckey led a retreat at the Little Swatara Church of the Brethren (Bethel, PA) at the beginning of September where youth and adults examined their beliefs about violence and peacemaking. Bob Gross led a Matthew 18 workshop at the Panther Creek Church of the Brethren (Adel, IA). At the Skippack Church of the Brethren (Collegeville, PA), Rachel Peterson and Kim Stuckey provided workshops for youth and advisors about the Decade to Overcome Violence and teaching peace issues to their youth.
Matt Guynn is working with the staff of the Brethren Retirement Community in Greenville, Ohio, to design an eighteen-month training program for managerial-level staff on themes of conflict transformation and communication skills, which will be provided by trainers from the Ministry of Reconciliation.
Staff have worked directly with several congregations this quarter. At the Madison Ave Church of the Brethren (York, PA), Kim Stuckey led an Adult Sunday school class based on the Second Mile curriculum. Bob Gross led Sunday school and preached at the Panther Creek Church of the Brethren (Adel, IA), as well as met with persons interested in peacemaking at the Ivester Church of the Brethren (Grundy Center, IA).
On Earth Peace staff gathered for three days at New Windsor for "Week-in-Office." After assessing our work and spending time with our strategic plan, two goals were set. The first: to challenge every youth in the denomination to be part of a peace-learning experience before they graduate from high school. The second: providing training in conflict transformation for every pastor in the Church of the Brethren. These goals celebrate our desire to serve the whole church as we celebrate our 30th Anniversary in 2004, as well as respond to answering the Call for a Living Peace Church.
In September, staff from On Earth Peace and the Brethren Witness/Washington Office met to share about the various programs offered by each office and how these programs can complement one another. There was extensive discussion on the working partnership between the two offices with the Decade to Overcome Violence and the Living Peace Church resolution.
At our fall meetings, the staff and board of On Earth Peace gathered around the theme, "Life-affirming Choices" Items of business included: the financial report, given just days before the end of the fiscal year, showing a close balance of income and expense; adoption of a $430,000 budget for fiscal year 2004; a positive evaluation from denominational and district leaders of the co-executive directors as well as the organization; creating a Finance Committee to provide assistance to the staff and board in financial matters such as endowments and investments; reviewing and generating ideas for the Annual Conference Resolution Call For A Living Peace Church; forming a planning team of board and staff to prepare for On Earth Peace' 30th Anniversary in 2004; recognizing Kathy Leininger for 11 years of service to the On Earth Peace board; and, reorganizing the 2003-2004 Executive Committee: Bev Weaver, chair; Tom Leard Longenecker, vice-chair; Lauree Hersch Meyer, secretary; Charles Kwon, treasurer; and Ken Frantz and Doris Abdullah, at-large.
Upcoming events: November 20-22, 2003 — "Through the Storm — Leadership in Times of Controversy," Camp Mack, Milford, IN; December 5-7, 2003 — Decade to Overcome Violence (DOV) training "Overcome Evil with Good," New Windsor, MD; March 11-14, 2004 — Organizing for Peace conference "Widening the Circle: Peacemaking in the midst of diversity," LaVerne, CA.

April-June 2003

At our spring meetings, the staff and board of On Earth Peace agreed to join in prayer and fasting on Wednesdays at noon, praying that all might know the things that make for peace. Others in the church are invited to join On Earth Peace in this prayer and fasting, which will continue until the board reconvenes in September.
Other items of business at our board meetings included: a proposal to allow staff members to lower the amount of taxes paid for war by reducing their salary level voluntarily and designate the amount deducted for specific types of expenses, pending legal review by tax consultants; acceptance of a working document "Roots and Branches — the next stage in developing On Earth Peace," which provides ideas for staffing and finances that will develop both present program areas and new programs; discussion regarding moving a portion of On Earth Peace' endowment funds into the Community Investment Fund now offered by Brethren Foundation; a learning exercise on the mainstream and the margins of On Earth Peace' identity and organizational life; and "The Call for a Living Peace Church" resolution (co-sponsored by On Earth Peace and the General Board to be taken to Annual Conference).
In May, On Earth Peace welcomed Cliff Kindy (North Manchester, IN) to the Brethren Service Center for a retreat entitled "Peacemaking in Action." Throughout the weekend, Cliff shared stories about his recent experiences in Iraq with Christian Peacemaker Teams and challenged participants to consider how to put "feet" on their prayers for peace "so that God knows we're serious about what we're praying for." The weekend worship times were planned by Carrie Fry-Miller (Ft. Wayne, IN), a springintern with On Earth Peace. Cliff also spoke at a Brown Bag Briefing held at the Brethren Service Center for employees and friends of the Center.
At the West Marva District Women's Spring Rally in May, Barb Sayler preached and provided leadership focusing on "Peace and Love Among Us."
In May, Bob Gross led a two day retreat in a Church of the Brethren district to help them increase coordination and cooperation among different parts of the district program.
A workshop led by Kim Stuckey at the Church of the Brethren Young Adult Conference at Camp Eder in Fairfield, PA focused on the "Call to be a Living Peace Church" Resolution to be presented to the delegate body at Annual Conference. Participants examined the paper and shared their thoughts about the state of the peace witness in the Church.
Bob Gross served as one of the primary leaders at the annual Conflict Transformation Institute at Manchester College which attracted participants from all the Church of the Brethren colleges.
This summer, On Earth Peace staff provided leadership at two denominational workcamps. In Germantown, Pennsylvania, Bob Gross provided anti-racism training for participants and Kim Stuckey provided leadership for senior high youth at the Maranatha School for the Deaf in Jamaica.
The 2003 Youth Peace Travel Team (YPTT) held their three-day orientation at Camp Woodland Altars in Southern Ohio, getting to know one another and the YPTT staff and preparing for their summer camp programs. Team members Erica Schatz (Lomita, CA), Laura Sweitzer (Auburn, IN), and Mandy Wampler (Annville, PA) traveled to six Church of the Brethren camps in the Midwest and Annual Conference, speaking to youth about issues of peace and justice. More information about the team and their summer schedule is available at www.brethren.org/oepa/yptt.
In June, Barb Sayler led a minister's retreat in the Western Pennsylvania district focusing on "Congregational Unity."
Rachel Peterson and Kim Stuckey provided workshops at the Antietam battlefield and then at New Windsor for about sixty junior high youth and advisors from the Virlina District who were on their district heritage tour.
Kim Stuckey led a workshop for Carroll County (Maryland) educators at their annual Character Education Institute. The workshop provided an introduction to conflict transformation and provided teachers with ideas and resources for teaching healthy communication skills to their students.
Summer Camp Staff at Woodland Altars (Peebles, OH) took part in an evening of learning and practicing healthy conflict resolution skills during their June summer staff training. Kim Stuckey worked with the group to refresh old skills, as well as practice some new ways to deal with problem campers, tricky staff situations, and the issues that can arise when persons live in close community together. Staff worked at naming some of the barriers to good communication, identifying a list of qualities of active listening, and then role-played some tense camp situations to practice their skills.
The week prior to Annual Conference, On Earth Peace co-sponsored the "Big Sky Song & Story Fest: Weaving Peace Together" at Camp Wilbur Stover in Idaho. This unique family camp, which featured Brethren musicians and story tellers, brought together more than 160 persons of all ages from coast to coast. In addition to many other workshops offered, On Earth Peace staff led workshops daily on methods of peacemaking.
In June, the second (of four) installment of the Second Mile: A Peace Journey for Congregations curriculum became available from Brethren Press. Entitled "Pathway B: Heading for the Promised Land," this pathway addresses two major topics — stewardship or the "Economy of God" and exploring Native American heritage and peace traditions — using a looseleaf pamphlet form. Similar to the first pathway, "Heading for the Promised Land" also provides resources on conflict transformation and the spirituality of peace. On Earth Peace serves on the steering committee of this joint project with several Mennonite groups in the U.S. and Canada. This resource, as well as "Pathway A: The Land that I Will Show You" is available from Brethren Press for $14.95. More information can be found by visiting www.gosecondmile.org, with a free leader's guide to the curriculum available on-line.
Matt Guynn and Rachel Peterson are laying plans for December 5-7, 2003 Decade to Overcome Violence (DOV) training, "Overcome Evil with Good," which will bring together district and congregational DOV workers from around the denomination.

January-March 2003

On Earth Peace is excited to welcome two new faces to our offices at New Windsor. Rachel Peterson, of New Carlisle, Ohio, is in her first year of Brethren Volunteer Service and will be supporting the existing programs of On Earth Peace, as well as working with the Decade to Overcome Violence. Carrie Fry-Miller, of Ft. Wayne, Indiana, is an intern working with On Earth Peace for 5 weeks before returning home to graduate from high school and attend Manchester College.
With threats of war and high terrorist alerts, attendees at "Organizing for Peace: Arts, Activism, and Spirituality" (March 13-16, 2003, in Richmond, Indiana) felt the looming conflict between the U.S. and Iraq quite keenly. Just days before the U.S. attack on Iraq, 125 people gathered from around the country to discover how to work for peace skillfully and constructively. Folk from the age of 2 months to 80 years, and backgrounds ranging from Quaker to Mennonite to Brethren — even Buddhist — shared and worshipped and ate together. Students from 5 colleges and church members from as far afield as the Pacific Southwest, Middle Pennsylvania, and Mid-Atlantic districts came together at Bethany Theological Seminary and Earlham School of Religion for three full days of skill-building in active nonviolence, creating art, and sharing in many ways. Music, dance, poetry, and visual art were all explored as modes of spirituality and activism at this On Earth Peace and Bethany-sponsored event. Topics addressed in the workshops included creativity & legislative advocacy, justice in the Bible, theater that awakens social conscience, and poetry as a means of peacemaking. Erika Thorne (Future Now) and Matt Guynn (On Earth Peace) led large group sessions. Other leadership included Paul Grout, who served as Artist-in-Residence, and Father Roy Bourgeois, the founder of the School of the Americas Watch. Melissa Bennett contributed overall spiritual coordination for the event as well. On Saturday evening, worship ended with a procession of drums and dancing under a clear sky. Paul Grout, watching the dancing figures and hearing the beating of drums in time with the human heart, extended his arms and said, "This is what heaven's going to be like."
The 13th annual Youth Peace Travel Team has been selected: Laura Stone of Kokomo (IN) Church of the Brethren; Mandy Wampler of the Annville (PA) congregation; Erica Schatz of South Bay Community (Redondo Beach, CA); and Laura Sweitzer of Cedar Lake (Auburn, IN). Jointly sponsored by On Earth Peace, Outdoor Ministries Association, and the General Board's Brethren Witness office, Washington Office, and Brethren Volunteer Service, the foursome will spend the summer doing peace education at Church of the Brethren camps, primarily in the Midwest.
Bob Gross and his wife Rachel spent one month in India, as Bob continued to work with the Church of North India and the Brethren group there to help them work toward a better relationship. This project is sponsored by the General Board. For a part of their visit they were accompanying members of the Ge

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