Peace Witness
Taking Action on the Death Penalty
Journey from Anger to Forgiveness
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"Acting as a peace witness means taking action.
It means opening
ourselves to learning from one another's
journeys."
And in the words of
Rev. Billy Bosler,"It's remembering the sacredness of life."
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In 1986, SueZann Bosler and her father, Rev. Billy Bosler, were attacked in their home. Her father died from multiple stab wounds, and SueZann barely survived. Since that time, in her personal journey from anger to forgiveness, SueZann helped to spare the life of James Bernard Campbell, the man who killed her father and attacked her.
SueZann, a member of the Miami First Church of the Brethren, is deeply committed to sharing her journey. As a Peace Witness program initiative, On Earth Peace is working with SueZann to provide the opportunity for her to be available to congregations, districts, and other groups to help them consider options for active witness against the death penalty. This witness will move first toward a moratorium on executions, and eventually to end the use of death as a penalty.
Prior to a "Taking Action" program, a packet will be sent that would enable congregations and individuals to become more personally aware of death penalty issues and to learn about Church of the Brethren statements against the death penalty by providing discussion questions, videos, and other resources to study. Hearing SueZann’s journey will then allow a "face" to be put with a story that many have heard but have not directly experienced. SueZann will discuss ways that a congregation can actively witness against the death penalty and share her experiences of working with Journey of Hope … From Violence to Healing, Murder Victims Families for Reconciliation, the National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty, and with Sister Helen Prejean in her passion to abolish the death penalty.
If your congregation or district would like SueZann to present "Taking Action: The Journey from Anger to Forgiveness", contact Matt Guynn (765-962-6234 or mattguynn@earthlink.net) to make arrangements.
For more information, contact Matt Guynn, Peace Witness Coordinator.
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