03/14/2008

Peace Colloquy 2007

More than 600 people attended the 2007 Peace Colloquy. This year’s theme was “Real World, Real Peace: Sharing the Peace of Jesus Christ.” More than 25 workshops explored the peace of Christ through congregational and personal-witness training for members, friends, and priesthood. They focused on Christ’s peace personally, socially, and globally. More people joined the colloquy from around the world for the English/Spanish web-cast of the Community of Christ International Peace Award ceremony.

Peace Award Recipients
Dolores Huerta, co-recipient of the 2007 Community of Christ International Peace Award, gave the keynote “Jesus Is Action for Justice!” Virgilio Elizondo, also a co-recipient, delivered the keynote “Peace of Jesus—Asserting the Humanity of All.” Other keynoters included Steve Veazey, Tony and Charmaine Chvala-Smith, and Jimmy Munson. Keynotes are on the Web at www.CofChrist.org/peacecolloquy/2007/.

Huerta played a major role in the American civil rights movement. She co-founded the United Farm Workers with Cesar Chavez, and for more than 30 years was his most trusted and loyal adviser. Today, she is first vice president emeritus of the United Farm Workers of America.

Virgilio Elizondo was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas. He became a priest at a time when few Mexican Americans were encouraged to do so. He completed a master’s degree in the Philippines and his doctoral degree in Paris. He served as rector of San Antonio’s San Fernando Cathedral and founded the Mexican American Cultural Institute there.

The Peace Colloquy was a blessing for ministers such as me who not only work with the Hispanic community but who claim Hispanic heritage. It was comforting to hear Huerta say things I grew up with in my childhood home. It was as if I were listening to my mother speaking of the struggles of her childhood. These are also my struggles as a Latino. The words of Elizondo regarding Mestizaje gave flesh to my aspirations as a Latino in the Community of Christ. The expressions of faith by Elizondo and Huerta have validated our work in establishing the Center for Mestizo Theology and Leadership Studies, which we are introducing to promote Hispanic ministries in the Community of Christ. The concepts of Mestizaje are important to the church in its outreach to Latinos in providing a place of identity, a relevant message of hope, and space for a new voice. The Community of Christ is demonstrating how it desires to be with the people and not merely be a church for the people.—John Glaser reporting

This colloquy meant a great deal to Don, Yola, and Nancy Compier. Nancy was excited to meet labor activist Dolores Huerta, about whom she had written a paper in junior high school. It meant much to Yola as a citizen of Mexico, that two Hispanic people were upheld as exemplars of peace ministry. Yola and Nancy had the opportunity to share the ancient poetry of Nezahuacoyotl, a great fifteenth-century philosopher king from the valley of Mexico. The colloquy is a major step forward in the church’s journey to warmly embrace the gifts of all cultures.—Don Compier reporting

Prayer Retreat
Ninety-four participants explored avenues to inner peace through worship, prayer, and personal reflection in the six workshops that made up this retreat.

Improving Congregational Service and Peacemaking/Justice Projects
Fifty-seven participants learned how to ensure or improve the effectiveness of a peacemaking/justice project. Staff from Outreach International and other church-related not-for-profits were on hand for discussion.

Songs of Peace Concert
This concert, featuring Dave Heinze and the Graceland University Concert Choir with conductor Thomas J. Hart, featured the choral works of J.S. Bach, Johannes Brahms, and Louita Clothier, and eight songs composed just for this year’s Peace Colloquy and performed live for the first time: “Echo of Divinity” and “Incarnation” by Harry Fielding; “Can We Find a Way?” by Gary McDonald; “Peace for Jesus” by Larry E. Johnson; “Sing for Peace” by Dale Rider; “A Peaceful Sanctuary” by Jeannine Ward; and “Clothe Us in Your Spirit” and “Go Forth” by Sandra Webb-Johnson.

Children’s Program
Children attending the Peace Colloquy’s “Real Kids, Real Peace” program traveled back to Jerusalem to spend time with Jesus (a.k.a. Aaron Gill). The Jesus in blue jeans shared moments from his life—fishing for disciples, drawing in the sand, healing and prayer, announcing his ministry, and even playing marbles. The kids brainstormed with Jesus how his experiences translate to their own challenges and opportunities. They spent the afternoon in the Children’s Peace Pavilion.—Diane Sadler reporting

Youth Track
A youth track was introduced with more than 30 youths and youth ministers participating in activities about team building and peaceful communication. The youth explored issues related to poverty and peacemaking, and had conversations with both peace award recipients.—Poul Wilson reporting

Eyes Wide Open
Peace Colloquy participants and Temple visitors experienced a powerful exhibit, “Eyes Wide Open.” As part of a nationwide exhibit by the American Friends Service Committee, it raises awareness of the human and economic costs of war. The display overlooked the world plaza and featured soldiers’ boots bearing the name of a soldier from Missouri or Kansas who died in the Iraq War. Civilian shoes bore the names of the very young and old who have also died, as a reminder that the cost of war includes noncombatants.

Peace Colloquy 2008
Plan now to participate in the 2008 Peace Colloquy, October 3–5. (Note: this will be three weeks earlier than usual.) The focus will be “Signal Communities of Justice and Peace” and will follow the Leaders Meetings held September 29–October 2. For more details go to www.CofChrist.org/peacecolloquy/.