Historic Peace Churches in Florida hold consultation.

On Jan. 30, 54 peacemakers in Florida--five Mennonites, nine Friends (Quakers), 34 Church of the Brethren members, and six people from other groups--met for a day at Camp Ithiel. Sponsored by the Action for Peace Team of the Church of the Brethren's Atlantic Southeast District, this event was designed as a "Consultation" of those three denominations with long-standing histories of an emphasis on nonviolence.

The event was held to get acquainted with each other as peace people, to learn what the other denominations are doing, and to explore what projects could be accomplished together. There was also time for worship, singing, and conversations over lunch. It was a day of purposeful activities and fellowship, with several expressions of commendation and appreciation by attendees. Most of the participants were already active peace workers.

Bob Gross, executive director of On Earth Peace, was the skilled facilitator, guiding the participants in a variety of activities that resulted in identifying peace-related concerns and laying groundwork for action in the future.

The six concerns receiving the greatest interest for future cooperative efforts were: witnessing to lawmakers, peace education in schools and for children, the Kids as Peacemakers Project, praying for peace, building relationships with Muslims, and peace influence to the media. There were 14 other areas of interest listed for possible future consideration.

On Feb. 13 the Action for Peace Team met to begin the follow-up implementation. A Steering Committee is being formed with representation from all three Historic Peace Church traditions; six printed pages of discussion results are ready for distribution to those who attended; and several leads of other possibilities for involvement will be pursued.

-- Phil Lersch is chair of Atlantic Southeast District's Action for Peace Team.

Source: 3/10/2010 Newsline