2003 Peace Colloquy
We are Family:
Nurturing Families for Today and Tomorrow
Acknowledgments
We acknowledge with gratitude the
permission given by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Adolfo Pérez Esquivel, Dr. Wendy
M. Wright , Dr. Don H. Compier and Jeri Lauren Lambert for their keynote
addresses in this fifth volume of Paths of Peace. Gratitude is also expressed to
Barbara Brock-Davis and Mary Jacks-Dynes for transcribing from audiotapes three
of these addresses.
Introduction
We gathered for the 2003 Peace
Colloquy around the theme, “We are Family: Nurturing Families for Today and
Tomorrow.” If we cannot have shalom in our families how can we have peace in
the world? So this colloquy addresses the pursuit of peace, reconciliation, and
healing of the spirit in family.
The Family Ministries Task Force,
which began its work in November 2001, was responsible for the planning of this
colloquy through which we hoped to increase more effective family ministries to
the church. In this booklet we are able to publish the keynote addresses and the
sermon given in the closing service.
For the last few years a Nobel
laureate has been brought to Kansas City to open the Peace Colloquy by an
interfaith partnership between Rockhurst University, National Conference for
Community and Justice, and the Community of Christ. At this colloquy we were
blessed to have Nobel Peace laureate Adolfo Pérez Esquivel from Argentina speak
on “Families Going Through Trauma.” Before he spoke the audience enjoyed a
wonderful ballet performance by the Wylliams/Henry Danse Theatre. The ballet was
inspired by the mothers of Argentina who stood silently and courageously in the
Plaza de Mayo holding photographs of their loved ones until the whole world knew
that those they loved were disappearing because of the political regime. With
this setting the Nobel Peace laureate, who himself was tortured in that dark
time in Argentina, spoke with a deep spirituality about the importance of human
rights, children, hope and dialogue to find peace. Esquivel reminded us
that there is no peace and healing for families without justice in politics,
government and economic systems.
Wendy Wright, a Catholic professor of
Theology at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska, teaches in the areas of
history of spirituality, family spirituality, spiritual direction, and women and
spirituality. In her keynote, “Sacred Dwelling – Family and Spiritual Life
or Praying in Chaos,” she talks about the heart of contemplation being the art
of paying attention. This she calls a form of praying always. She then
illustrated this art of paying attention or form of prayer by telling stories of
her own family life and participation in the family life of others. Wendy also
gave the sermon at the closing service “Who Is My Family?” It was an
inspiring message of resting in the heart of God and so is also included in this
text.
Don Compier is the dean of the new
Community of Christ seminary. In his address, “Families—Reading the Signs of
the Times,” he is both gently pastoral and profoundly prophetic. One expects
Don to give a good keynote but this was him at his very best. One expects a well
argued theological paper from Dr Compier but he was also extremely well
researched on the leading exponents of family ministries - so much so that he
impressed those present who are professionally informed about family ministries.
Don tackles diversity of family structure with grace, and draws our attention to
the importance of recognizing the negative impact of economic systems no matter
how hard people work. Indeed it is the culture of workaholism that he takes on
in the culture of the North American church. There is much for the church to
take to heart is this chapter.
Jeri Lauren Lambert, is a young mother
to two children, partner of Sam and currently working on a doctoral of ministry
degree in family ministries. Her keynote addresses
Family in the Community of Christ and launched a new program of ministry in this area. Sharing the story of
her parents divorce she speaks out of that pain and healing to address the need
for more sensitive and skilled family ministry. She asks us to remember that
marriage is a sacrament in our tradition and that pre-marital preparation is a
key ministry. Having chaired the Family Ministries Task Force since its
beginning in November 2001 she also shared the fruits of their labor in the
statement of Visions of Home and Family Life and the outline program. This will
guide the work of Family Ministries in the church in strengthening family life.
She also announced the launch of the adjunct family ministries specialists to
begin the program.
Shalom in families, participating in
just systems in society, is the dream that is kindled by these chapters from the
2003 Peace Colloquy. May the church be blessed and society also.
Andrew
Bolton
Coordinator, Peace and Justice Ministries
*Audiotapes of
all these chapters are also available from Herald House.
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