East Pennsylvania Congregations Attend Second Annual Peace Gathering

How many Mennonite Peacemakers does it take to fully occupy the Deep Run East Fellowship Hall? Answer: Who has time for fellowship with so much work to be done for Peace and Justice in the world? All peacenik jokes aside, The Peace and Justice Committee of Eastern District and Franconia Conference was encouraged to see so many persons from area Mennonite churches come out for its 2nd Annual Fall Gathering on Saturday, November 20. From 9 a.m. until 1 in the afternoon participants gathered for a time of reflection, learning, sharing around the making peace in the name of Christ. But make no mistake; there was plenty of fellowship to be had in the hall that day.

The morning opened with the Peace & Justice Committee chair, Bob Walden, introducing the work and training of The Fellowship of Reconciliation. In an hour, participants were given a tantalizing preview of the five basic premises of the training: A Look at Violence; What Nonviolence can do; Social Change Movements; Community Organization; and Action Planning. With such a limited window of time, it was no surprise to hear many participants say that they wished for more than a small portion of the training that morning. Therefore, Bob encouraged each person present to consider how the full 20 hour training could benefit the work of reconciliation in our home churches and communities.

After enjoying a time of refreshments and conversation with individuals from Philadelphia -and others from the conferences who came near and far to attend the gathering- the group was then introduced to the speaker that morning. At the invitation of the P&J Committee, Daryl Byler, director of the MCC Washington D.C. office, spoke and facilitated a brilliant conversation on being a Christian Peacemaker in today's political and social climate. While offering encouragement and biblical reflection on God's saving and restorative work throughout history, Byler also encouraged those present to share where they encounter both frustration and hope in their work for peace.

Perhaps the most poignant and compelling point that Byler brought to the morning was his counsel to remember Sabbath in our lives. Byler stated that those who work for peace tend to overextend themselves, leaving little room in their own lives for peace. He went on to say, as peacemakers we need to learn balance in our lives in order to see social and political dilemmas with a fresh, loving and creative spirit. When we however approach our work and life without the rest and perspective that Sabbath grants, we are instead prone to reacting to conflict and social woes with fear and desperation. The power of Sabbath was made vividly clear to Byler during his 40 day fast in the days leading up to the start of the American War in Iraq, when his anger toward the administration and over the entire situation was instead turned to deep sadness.

The biblical vision and reflection offered by Daryl Byler and the participation of all those who gave of their time to attend the Fall Gathering are vital reasons for why the Peace & Justice Committee of Eastern District and Franconia Conference continues to serve as a resource and catalyst for peacemaking in the name of Christ for Mennonite congregations in Eastern Pennsylvania and beyond.