Peace & Global Witness
Congregations Bridge Divisions Across Ethnic, Racial and Religious Lines
Racially charged violence in Charlottesville, Virginia, sent shockwaves of fear and grief across the United States on an August weekend last year.
Like many other Americans, Presbyterian pastor Jon Brown was distraught to the point of numbness, but on the following Monday morning his hope was renewed.
His spirits were lifted by dozens of elementary-aged children who had gathered for Peace Camp at the congregation he serves, Old Bergen Church in Jersey City, New Jersey. “To see children of different races, ethnicities and faith traditions singing, laughing and creating together was a powerful medicine for all of us in that moment,” he said.
The four-day event, which had been planned for months, drew nearly 100 children. It was sponsored by Christian congregations, a synagogue and a mosque in Jersey City, one of the most ethnically, racially and religiously diverse communities in the U.S.
Presbyterians from across the country, through their gifts to the Peace & Global Witness Offering, played a role in the camp’s success.
The neighborliness theme was developed with help from a curriculum published by the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program, a ministry that relies on Peace & Global Witness Offering gifts. The curriculum draws a connection to Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, a PBS program that was created and hosted by the late Fred Rogers, a Presbyterian minister.
The idea for Peace Camp originated in an interfaith clergy group. Members had developed friendships and stood in solidarity against threats of violence against mosques and synagogues. “So, it only made sense that we instill that same sense of being good neighbors in this generation of children,” Brown said.
The children learned about ways to resolve conflicts and how to handle angry and sad feelings. They brainstormed about what is needed for a good neighborhood and built model neighborhoods out of cardboard boxes and other materials. They also learned about the elements of a virtuous neighborhood from resource people such as a police officer, librarian, teacher and public health official.
Brigid D’Souza, the parent of two campers and one of the camp’s adult leaders, called it “a really important gift” to her children and other campers.
“When I was growing up, I didn’t attend Bible study camp or any kind of camp like that, so for me it was really informing to see what this type of camp could mean for kids,” she said. Leaders of the event were so impressed by its results that they decided to repeat it this year.
Gifts to the Peace & Global Witness Offering help Presbyterian congregations implement creative ideas like Peace Camp. A Season of Peace, which began Sunday, leads up to the Peace & Global Witness Offering. Most congregations will receive the offering on Oct. 7, which is World Communion Sunday.
Twenty-five percent of the offering is retained by congregations for local ministries of peacemaking and reconciliation, another 25 percent will support these ministries at the mid council level, and the remaining 50 percent supports the peacemaking and reconciliation ministries of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A).
This was originally published for Presbyterian News Service on September 5, 2018.
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The Peace & Global Witness Offering draws Presbyterians together and provides exposure to active peacemakers as well as education and resources to empower congregations and individuals to become peacemakers, themselves. These collective efforts support resources in dealing with conflict, provide nurturing reconciliation, and stand in support of our global siblings, because the peace of Christ belongs to people everywhere.
