Exploring Peace: A Community Series

Why a Community Peace Series?

[We believe that God intends peace for all people as revealed in Jesus Christ.] Jesus taught love of enemies, forgave wrongdoers, and called for right relationships. When threatened, he chose not to resist, but gave his life freely. By his death and resurrection, he has removed the dominion of death and given us peace with God. Thus he has reconciled us to God and has entrusted to us the ministry of reconciliation. As followers of Jesus, we participate in his ministry of peace and justice.
-- Paraphrase of Article 22: Peace, Justice, and Nonresistance from the Confessions of Faith in a Mennonite Perspective.

Christ Community Mennonite Church, as followers of Jesus, is participating in Jesus' ministry of peace and justice by sponsoring a Peace Series. The six-part series begins with a prayer vigil as an act of supplication to God for peace among the nations. Other parts of the Series includes presentations by Mennonites who served as peacemakers in the Middle East, education on the meaning and history of peace within a Christian context, workshops on reconciliation and conflict resolution, etc.

We, as a church, hope to understand more fully God's call for peace and justice in the world and desire to learn and act together with the broader community in our neighborhood.

Peace Events

Prayer for Peace Among the Nations
A candlelight prayer vigil under the tent on the front lawn of 888 S. Roselle Road. There will be readings, meditations, offering of prayer, and singing.

Peacemakers in the Middle East: Stories from Hebron by Christian Peacemaker Teams
This part of the series answers the question of how we practically live out our peace position in the face of violence. Kerri Holmes and Phil Waite, recent Christian Peacemaker Team members to Hebron share their decision-making process to live in a vollatile part of the world for two weeks, and how their choice to be peacemakers has shaped their understanding of peace. Speaker: Kerri Holmes, Christian Peacemaker Team member to Hebron.

The Politics of Peace: What does "peace" mean?
What does peace mean? How is the word "peace" used by Jesus and what does it mean for us? There will a presentation on the history of the Mennonite interpretation and practice of peace; the common misunderstandings of the word "peace"; and the politics behind peacemaking. Speaker: Doug Hostetter, Peace Pastor at Evanston Mennonite Church and an adjunct lecturer in Sociology at Northwestern University. See photos by Doug in his recent assignment to Amman, Jordan on behalf of the American Friends Service Committee. Download event flyer as a PDF version.

Building Peaceful Relationships in the Home and at Work
How do we advocate for peace in the global arena when we don't know how to be peaceful with our families or co-workers? This will be a practical workshop to learn some peacemaking and conflict resolution skills as well as practice them at the workshop. Speaker: Janice Ropp, Transitions Counseling Center.

Building Peaceful Relationships with Other Faiths
Informal dialogue between Christians and Muslims in the same neighborhood. How do peoples of different faiths live in peace--not merely an absence of conflict but with justice? Find out how global decisions of engagement have affected how we, as peoples of different faiths, interact here at home. View photo of the event in the Daily Herald, January 3, 2003 (PDF version).

Peace with Our Government, Peace in Our Community, Peace in Our Homes: Hopes and Challenges in Chiapas, Mexico
Ten years after the Zapatista uprising, what is the status of peace in Mayan communities? Injustices and economic hardships make life difficult in the mountains, but faith and unity strengthen the efforts of those seeking peace. Speaker: Kristi Smith will discuss her recent trip to Chiapas and share the city's historical and current political environment as well as the local efforts towards peace. View flyer to distribute(PDF version).

Peacebuilding and Development in Somalia
Since the central government of Somalia under military dictator Mohamed Siad Barre fell in 1991, the Somali people have suffered war and familine under many armed clan warlords. For more than fifty years, Mennonites have had a special relationship with the Somali people. Mark and Chantel Logan have just finished their assignment as Mennonite Central Committee Somali program representatives. They will share extensively about African colonialism--its history and current effects on the continent, working with the Muslim community, the relationship between Mennonites and Somalia, and the pros and cons of development aid. Read the article in the Daily Herald, June 30, 2004.

Just War. What is it? An analysis of a "Just War" & Critique of the Bush War in Iraq
Since most Americans have now come to disagree that our war in Iraq is a legitimate war, an understanding and critical analysis of the so-called "Just War" principles is essential. Del Birkey, D. Min, teacher and author, will present an analysis of the just war guidelines(PDF), followed by a critique of the Bush doctrine of war in Iraq by Lindy Scott, Ph.D., professor, author, and director of the Center for Applied Christian Ethics at Wheaton College. View flyer (PDF version).

Building Bridges: Stories from Iran
As tensions mount between the US, UN, and Iran from Iran's nuclear program, it is timely to learn more about the country nestled between Iraq and Afghanistan. Please join us as Americans Matthew and Laurie Pierce share about their life and work as Mennonite Central Committee volunteers in Iran. Presentation includes subjects such as "Jihad of the Self: What We Haven't Learned Since 9/11", an overview of Islam, and sharing one's life with Muslim friends. View flyer (PDF version).

God's Peace Plans for the Middle East
The speaker, Dr. Donald E. Wagner, is the Director of Middle East Studies at North Park University in Chicago. He is also the author of Anxious for Armageddon and a Presbyterian Minister. Dr. Wagner will discuss signs of hope for Middle East conflicts and how people of faith in Northwest Suburbs can participate in the peace process. Dr. Wagner is recognized by the Schaumburg-Hoffman Clergy Association as one concerned for Jewish-Palestinian reconciliation.
View flyer (PDF version).