About 35 campers came together on Labor Day weekend at Camp Ithiel in
Gotha, Fla. Quakers, Catholics, and Brethren from six congregations met
with Donald E. Miller of Richmond, Ind., to hear stories from Africa,
Asia, and Latin America, where Christians face violent threats to human
life.
The Action for Peace Team of Atlantic Southeast District and Camp
Ithiel co-sponsored this Sixth Annual Family Peace Camp, providing a
rich experience for peacemakers young and old.
The theme for the weekend was “Decade to Overcome Violence,” a
program of the World Council of Churches that led to peace conferences
of the Historic Peace Churches being held on several continents between
2000 and 2010--skillfully coordinated with help from Miller, professor
emeritus at Bethany Theological Seminary and a former general secretary
of the Church of the Brethren.
His clear, inspiring sessions raised challenging questions: Does
commitment to peace make a difference? How do peacemakers address the
principalities of power? What does a peace person or group do with a
violent adversary? What about the victims? Is there really a “Just War”?
What does “Just Peace” look like?
The camp also gave participants opportunities to sing, play, pray,
and explore new ways to be peacemakers. Miller brought his clarinet.
Other musicians joined in on recorder, mandolin, and banjo, teaming with
a participant who sang and played guitar. Someone else played an
original number on piano, composing as he played. Sisters invented a
stately “trust dance.”
-- Merle Crouse provided this report.
Source:9/20/2012 Newsline
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