The "Challenge Course" was among many retreat activities that youth experienced at the Family Life Center.

Sunday morning finds worshipers wrapped in prayer shawls. (Above) Dr. Halima Bashir (below)

Colloquy Focuses on Women, Inspires Youth

The 16th annual Peace Colloquy carried a title that focused on women, but it also offered a lot to other groups, especially youths.

“Justice for Women, Dignity for All” was the theme of the October 23–25 event in Independence, Missouri. The colloquy allowed people to focus on women’s justice issues through discussion while boosting knowledge of needs and resources. Poverty and violence are among injustices endured disproportionately by women around the world.

Nelda Kerr, Peace Colloquy intern, found joy in the event’s impact on youth.

“For the first time, the Peace Colloquy was able to offer a full program of activities for youth,” Kerr said. “Not only were junior- and senior-high youth able to meet each other and strengthen friendships, but the community as a whole was able to show its support for the active involvement of youth in many of the weekend’s events.”

Of the event’s 541 registrants, 55 were young adults (age 18–35), and 11 were children. The youth retreat drew 79.

Kerr especially liked the impact of the keynote speaker, Dr. Halima Bashir, and the way the colloquy served the entire community.

“I appreciated the hospitality and invitation extended to Muslim sisters,” she said. “Dr. Halima Bashir breathed hu-manity into the Darfur crisis. Her story is one of hope amid devastation.”

Dr. Bashir, the Community of Christ International Peace Award recipient, has written a book, Tears of the Desert. It de-cries the violence, especially toward women, in Darfur. The comments of colloquy attendees showed the impact she made and pointed to what they viewed as highlights:

• “Seeing Dr. Bashir covered in black really caught my attention.”

• It was important to hear “from women around the world and recognizing the trauma they are experiencing.”

• “My heart was broken, and I felt outrage at the vulgar, heartless attacks—this whole world is diminished by their actions.”

• “I will hold her and her country in my heart.”

• “I will share the word and make others more aware of the injustices in the world.”

• “We need to have the stories of our sisters throughout the world.”

• “I want to spread the word and motivate world leaders to make a difference—stop the insanity.”

—Patty Wilson and Jeanette Hicks reporting
January 2010 Herald

On the Web: Visit www.CofChrist.org/peacecolloquy/  for text, video, and audio from colloquy presentations.