All Episcopalians Peacemakers:

An Open Invitation for Parishes and EPF Chapters to Participate

in the Design of a New Resource for the Episcopal Church:

The Episcopal Peace Fellowship is developing a toolkit of peace-action resources and is seeking as many as 10  peace test sites.   The Deadline for applications is February1, 2009.   We are seeking parishes who will serve as test sites for projects designed in a user-friendly, “how to” format.  Applicants can choose from several modules that we will offer  as examples or you can use our guidelines  to create your own non-violence project. EPF is looking for parishes in different areas of the country, representative of the diversity in the Episcopal Church, with enthusiasm for non-violence education.  Selected parishes will receive up to $500.00 to carry out their project with follow-up evaluations.

Our Vision is simple: For all Episcopalians to be Peacemakers. The support of General Convention for broad-based non-violence initiatives in our church provides a mandate for this work, moving peace action from the periphery to the center of what it is to be an Episcopalian. Our goal is to put resources and teaching tools in the hands of leaders at all levels of the Church. These tools will include non-violence training, curriculum design techniques, network capabilities (web, print, other media), peace action and organizing techniques, as well as access to a wide-ranging archive of current resources. Our guide-line is to meet people where they are, providing flexible tools for individuals and groups at every level of commitment and experience. A defining parameter is to bring resources and support to previously underserved communities.

 Our Model is Messiah Jesus, the Prince of Peace, who blessed the peacemakers, yet despaired that we will ever understand the things that make for peace (Lk.19:42). This Jesus suffered a brutal death at the hands of violent humanity to model a Way that repudiates violence while laboring sacrificially on behalf of God’s merciful justice. To be conformed to the mind of Christ, our Pioneer, involves personal transformation, grounded in a process of spiritual formation in the community of believers. Education for peace-making has never been more critical than today, when systemic violence permeates our world, locally and globally.

Our Plan For All Episcopalians to be Peacemakers has three steps:

1. Build an interactive network of individual Peace Partners and Peace Parishes, linked through EPF.

2. Build EPF’s capacity to function as a clearing house for peace-making resources, to serve this network.  Please send your peace resources to the Rev. Joyce Hardy who is managing the clearing house.

3. Develop a peace-makers Tool Kit in “how to” format, backed up with both resources and consultants.

The Tool Kit: What is it? How will it work? Imagine an expanding resource with interchangeable modules that provide “how to” instructions for specific projects : “how to” organize and conduct a vestry retreat on non-violence;

“how to” conduct youth group module on Peace ;

“how to” transform that module into a peace camp; 

“how to” organize a trans-generational, multi-faith community peace experience;

 “how to” address conflict in your parish/vestry/diocese through non-violence   training -- in ½ day format, in full day format, in 3 day format;

“how to” design a study group on a pressing issue of the day;

“how to” develop a study guide to accompany a video/DVD; etc.

As you can see, this Tool Kit is always full but never finished! The experiences of every Peace Partner and Peace Parish will potentially add another useful item to be shared.

Become a Test Site: EPF offers four options for selected Sites to test:

1.       Vestry Tool for Effective Leadership: This kit created by Bill Exner (St. Matthews – Goffstown, NH) may be used in a variety of ways. The contents lend themselves to use as short meditations to start Vestry meetings and for expanded Team Building and Vestry Retreats.

The goal is to equip your elected parish officials with the insight and skills to teach by example the ways of co-operative and effective Christian leadership.  Read more here)

2.    Peace Tools for Jr. and Sr.High -  Created by Will Wauters, Church of the Epiphany, LA, CA sample modules click here

3.  Community Peace Project Tool, Created by Sophia Woods, Order of St. Helena, Augusta, GA, click here

4.    Design-your-own Peace Project Tool, using EPF guidelines

For TEST SITE Application Click here

Resolution passed at 2006 General Convention: