No. 10 - Spring 2021 and peace Newsletter

Britain and Ireland Inspired for the Climb

German Regional Conference Only Peace Brings Security

Earthquakes and COVID Peacebuilding Hopes in Croatia

Photo: Shutterstock Promoting Reconciliation The commitments of the Charta Oecumenica, signed by the European churches 20 years ago, are also a challenge for Church and Peace. Chair Antje Heider-Rottwilm reflects.

n recent months, I often have found together, contribute towards reconciling ourselves to work for structures of peace, Imyself thinking about the future, and peoples and cultures. based on the non-violent resolution of . Will it be possible for us, the conflicts. We condemn any form of violence Church and Peace network, to finally Since the European Ecumenical Assembly against the human person, particularly meet again for our annual international in Graz in 1997, various drafts had been against women and children. conference – in Strasbourg, in September the subject of intensive discussion in – to actually meet in person, face to face? the churches throughout . And Reconciliation involves promoting social now, young and old, women and men justice within and among all peoples; And in recent months, my thoughts from all over Europe had come together above all, this means closing the gap often have taken me back to Strasbourg, to celebrate the signing of the Charter between rich and poor and overcoming where, 20 years ago, in April 2001, the with their prayers and their hopes for the unemployment. Together we will do our Presidents of the Conference of European future, and then to go on their way with part towards giving migrants, refugees Churches and the Council of European a commitment to bringing the Charter and asylum-seekers a humane reception in ' Conferences signed the to life. Europe. (III.8) Charta Oecumenica. ‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they We find ourselves challenged again and This is what the Charter was all about: will be called children of God’ (Mt 5:9), is again by the commitments of the Charta Europe – from the Atlantic to the Urals, the verse at the top of the third section of Oecumenica – we as the Church and from the North Cape to the Mediterranean the Charter, ‘Our Common Responsibility Peace network, and also the churches, – is today more pluralist in culture than ever in Europe’. with whom we struggle together to before. With the , we want to stand follow the Way as disciples of up for the dignity of the human person The commitments of the churches are and, as we do so, unambiguously affirm created in God's image and, as churches clear and unmistakable: We commit continued on page 3 church and peace

Church and Peace

The European ecumenical network of peace churches, and peace church-oriented congregations, communities and service agencies

Editorial team: Lydia Funck, General Secretary, and Terri Miller, Individual Member

Church and Peace International Office Mittelstraße 4, D-34474 Diemelstadt-Wethen Tel: +49 5694 9905506, Fax: +49 5694 1532 [email protected] www.church-and-peace.org

Translation and proofreading: David Lapp-Jost, Gordon Matthews, Terri Miller

Layout: Benji Wiebe, mennox.de Production: Marion Wiebe, mennox.de/it

Find us on social media twitter.com/churchandpeace instagram.com/church_and_peace/ , Unsplash Tea Ice Photo: facebook.com/groups/1161641020530889 Work for Peace in Support Church and Peace COVID Times Account in the UK: Send Sterling cheques to the order of 'Church Dear readers, regard to the situation of refugees; and Peace' to Gerald Drewett, 39, Postwood to build peace in the context of Green, Hertford SG13 7QJ or alternatively make a twenty years after the signing of the racism and hate speech; to ensure transfer by BACS to sort code 16-58-10 and Charta Oecumenica, working for security through the development account 20745001 and send email notification to [email protected] reconciliation in Europe remains of peace at the local level. Members a constant challenge, also for the in Croatia have pursued their work churches, as Antje Heider-Rottwilm for peace despite the pandemic Account in the USA: reflects in thisissue ’s cover article. and earthquakes. And in the UK, Send US Dollar checks to the order of 'Ivester the Community for Reconciliation Church of the Brethren (designation: Church and Both civil society and faith was relaunched under the name Peace fund)', to: Ivester Church of the communities have proven their Seedbeds. Brethren, 25056 'E' Avenue, resilience in the face of challenges Grundy Center, Iowa 50638-8761, USA posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. In ‘The Last Word’, Maria Biedrawa (tax deductible) We, too, in the Church and Peace reflects on the parallels between network continue to ask ourselves the psychological impact of armed Account in Germany: where and how working for justice conflict situations and of the Church and Peace e.V. and peace is necessary and possible coronavirus pandemic, and gives Bank für Kirche und Diakonie KD-Bank, in these times. suggestions to cope constructively IBAN: DE33 3506 0190 1014 3800 15, with this fallout in daily life. BIC: GENODED1DKD In these pages you’ll discover stories showing where and how the Happy reading! Suggestions and challenge to build reconciliation has feedback are very welcome. Opinions expressed by authors do not necessarily been taken up. reflect the views of Church and Peace. Church and With best wishes, Peace reserves the right to edit material received Online events and discussions have for publication. explored the call to defend human rights in Europe, particularly with

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Promoting Reconciliation continued from page 1 the nonviolent transformation of and cultures’? Our statement at conflict and the renunciation of all the conclusion of a long period Read Church and Peace’s analysis military options. of political decision-making of security policy decisions regarding the Multiannual Financial taken during the German EU Again and again we are made aware Framework (MFF) 2021–2027 Presidency: www.church- of the fact that in this Europe ‘from makes it clear that we consider and-peace.org/en/2021/02/ the Atlantic to the Urals, from the the funding of arms research and comments-on-eu-security- North Cape to the Mediterranean’, production from the EU budget to policy-decisions. human dignity is being violated be a disastrous paradigm shift and and that from this Europe, violence that other decisions about military is spreading out. During an options also call the European international Zoom discussion in ’Peace Project’ into question. We The Charta Oecumenica ends with the autumn, we were reminded of are dismayed by Brexit, which was a prayer that was valid when it this by Rosá Björk Brynjólfsdóttir, finally cemented by treaty, and are was signed 20 years ago and will a member of the Parliamentary especially concerned about the risk continue to be equally valid in Assembly of the Council of of a new flare-up of the conflict in future: ‘May the God of hope fill us Europe and Vice Chairperson of Northern Ireland after it has been with all joy and peace in believing, the Assembly’s Committee on contained with such great difficulty. so that we may abound in hope by Migration, Refugees, and Displaced the power of the ’. (Rom Persons (see page 6). We will also continue to work to 15:13) ensure that the EU strengthens In press releases and joint human rights and climate justice Antje Heider-Rottwilm campaigns with other and Europe as a peace project, organisations, and with the support instead of tying human and of alliances for action such as financial resources up in armaments Read the Charta Oecumenica and find out more about United4Rescue, we continue to and military operations. its impact at the local level: https://t1p.de/COe. advocate that ‘migrants, refugees, and asylum-seekers’ be given ‘a humane reception in Europe’.

We see the connections between racism, power, and sexism as a challenge for peace churches, a challenge which we have begun to face. The experience of our members and friends in Britain and Ireland is especially helpful, and we have benefited from this on several occasions in online discussions organised by the region. This subject will also be discussed at the Strasbourg conference on the theme of ‘Images of God and Nonviolence’.

Last but not least, we are closely following developments in the European Union: are these developments contributing ‘towards reconciling peoples Photo: Church and Peace and Church Photo:

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Inspired for the Climb Barbara Forbes, Church and Peace Board member for Britain and Ireland, reports on the region’s conference on 13 March on the theme ‘Building Peace from the Ground Up’, co-organised with the Fellowship of Reconciliation UK.

hinking about a world which Tseems overwhelmed by hatred manifesting both in physical forms and through hate speech, we felt blessed to have inspiring speakers who shared their experience and wisdom with us. Conference participants came not only from the UK but also from across Europe – from Dublin to Moscow, Berlin to Tirana, via Switzerland and Hungary – as well as Pakistan and the USA. A rich mixture of people – and topics!

Church and Peace Chair Antje Heider-Rottwilm noted that since the first regional conference in 2014 our focus had always been on peace Photo: Max Libertine , Unsplash Libertine Max Photo: in the broadest sense – not just militarism, but also climate change, to bring people and communities conditions we live in so that they racism, and political developments. together. are unfavourable to violence seems She highlighted the link between a very high mountain to climb, and blasphemy and hate speech, which Keynote speaker the Revd Dr we know our shortfalls. The words occurs in all religions when people Sharon Prentis reminded us to of our speakers and workshop are tempted to defame and devalue listen to the deep lament rising leaders will provide inspiration and others who don’t share their faith. from our contemplative life, and to encouragement for this journey. develop a compelling vision of an As the American Quaker Bayard Keynote speaker Lisa Cumming, incarnational way of living which Rustin said: ‘God does not require Quaker, lifted up insight from the impacts others around us. us to achieve any of the good tasks Quaker thinker and academic Adam that humanity must pursue. What Curle – that we need to transform An innovation for this conference he requires of us is that we not stop unpeaceful relationships into was an ‘Open Space’ workshop trying’. peaceful ones, but also to transform for sharing individual concerns. the conditions we live in so that Those at the session heard about Barbara Forbes they are unfavourable to violence. the struggles of the Christian community in Pakistan, which seem Let yourself be inspired as well! Find This second challenge is particularly totally intractable and any response conference contributions and a detailed important in today’s world. In a of ours, inadequate. However, Open report at: www.church-and-peace.org/ series of workshops, we went on Space participants vowed their en/regional-conferences. to look at how we might begin to support, including the important do this, for example by tackling promise to offer up prayers. hate speech online, by striving to move from non-racist to anti-racist, We were challenged on many levels. by learning from grassroots efforts Transforming the relationships and 4 - - Newsletter No. 10 - Spring 2021 church and peace

Only Peace Brings Security German-Language Regional Conference 2020

How can the path of peace also meet production, and ecological the need for security? Peace must be sufficiency’, Isaak-Krauß said. Workshops ‘dared’ (Bonhoeffer), but there is also the human need for order in society. On Saturday morning, speaker • Anarchy as a lifestyle Who ensures security, and who Hanne-Margret Birckenbach • Utopia and Pennsylvania: A different way to do ensures peace? Peace and security contrasted the two approaches State are not opposites; indeed, they are of a logic of peace and a logic of • Peace education: Examples from schools and mutually dependent. security, which, like a grammatical churches framework, lay the basis for analysis • Rethinking security: Political strategies for long- round 80 participants at the and courses of action in conflict term security through peaceful means AGerman-language regional situations. • Security and solidarity among professional peace conference 2020 explored the workers abroad: Strategies from PBI and CPT relationship between peace and In a conventional security security. The conference took framework, violence only becomes Learn more: https://t1p.de/rxyy place online on November 27- a problem when it is directed 28, organised by Church and against one's own position and Peace together with the German interests. In the logic of peace, transformation, dialogue, etc.) offer Mennonite Peace Committee, the however, violence is fundamentally a significantly better strategy for a German branch of the International problematic. The logic of peace safer world. Fellowship of Reconciliation, and emphasizes that the resolution of a German . conflict is based on the conflicting Jakob Fehr parties’ mutual dependence on a is director of the German Mennonite The conference began with a successful relationship with each Peace Committee. fascinating look at the concept of other. Recognising the legitimacy anarchism around the question of the other’s position is the basic Discover insights from the conference for your own work for peace (materials in ‘How can anarchism inform our prerequisite for dialogue and de- German): www.church-and-peace.org/ thinking on peace and security?’. escalation. regionale-tagungen. The tension The two keynote speakers, Ullrich between peace Hahn and Benjamin Isaak-Krauß, Six working groups in the afternoon and security presented theses which pointed highlighted aspects of the to a close relationship between relationship between peace and Hebrew and , and security and presented projects, anarchism's critique of power. past as well as current approaches, to inform our action as Christian For , there is only one peacemakers. Lord, and he wants to give us a life free from insecurity and violence. It became clear to the participants ‘The State rarely appears in the that only peace can bring as a guarantor of true security; security. To make this a reality at it is more often a cause of insecurity the local level is a task for all of and violence. In addition, there us. At the same time, we need is scepticism about the ability of to communicate to political, even a well-intentioned State to transnational decision-makers – provide true security. True security who reach reflexively for weapons grows through demilitarisation, – that the proven principles

participation in the means of of the logic of peace (conflict Teams Peacemaker Christian Photo: Newsletter No. 10 - Spring 2021 - - 5 church and peace

Peace Churches Called to Be Defenders of Human Rights Ensuring respect for human rights in Europe requires action at all levels of society and a look at one’s own role in perpetuating injustice, concluded participants at a Church and Peace virtual event last October.

eld to mark the 70th compassion. This means working The lively online conversation Hanniversary of the European to ensure a life in safety for all in with more than 50 participants Convention on Human Rights, a peaceful, equal, and healthy from 10 countries underlined that the online discussion focused environment, and to eliminate continued efforts at all levels are on protection of the rights of prejudice, racism, and hate speech. needed to ensure human rights are marginalised people, particularly respected. This includes political refugees and asylum seekers. Jakob Fehr, German Mennonite advocacy and using existing Three speakers looked together Peace Committee, shared how the legal tools like the Convention to with participants at the work of grassroots organisation Aegean hold countries and institutions grassroots organisations and the Migrant Solidarity (AMS) has accountable. And peace churches role of the Council of Europe in been supporting refugees and must take concrete steps to protecting human rights in its 47 monitoring trials against them recognise their own implication member states. on the Greek island of Lesvos in the causes of displacement since 2014. He said that, having and forced migration; engage in Rosá Björk Brynjólfsdóttir, experienced violence, injustice, current public debate; and provide member of the Parliamentary and abandonment, refugees on humanitarian support for uprooted Assembly of the Council of the island have little hope. Indeed, people. Europe and Vice Chairperson of on the very day of the online event, the Assembly’s Committee on police cleared the alternative As Rosá stated in conclusion: Blot on Europe’s Migration, Refugees, and Displaced refugee camp Pikpa, which had ‘Human rights need to be human rights Persons, noted that human rights been a safe haven and beacon of safeguarded and we as citizens record: the challenges in the area of migration hope. have to make sure that this treatment of have worsened since 2011. happens. We all need to be asylum seekers COVID-19 has highlighted the need Andrew Lane, Quaker Council defenders of human rights.’ and refugees for equal protection for migrants in for European Affairs, is in regular on the island of times of crisis. She said the biggest contact with the Council of Europe Lesvos, Greece. task ahead is to embrace unity and in Brussels. He referred to the many Read more: www.church-and- people across the continent whose peace.org/en/2020/11/conversation- rights are not being protected human-rights-in-europe/. and remarked that despite Europe trading on its history of upholding human rights and being civilised, Criminalisation of Migration 70 years of the Convention have not led to a deeper cultural Find out more about human change. He believes peace rights violations against refugees churches are called to go beyond and migrants on the Aegean political advocacy and pioneer islands in AMS’s co-authored radical counter-cultural witness monitoring report ‘Incarcerating which is based on the lived the Marginalized: The Fight experience of those whose rights Against Alleged “Smugglers” on are being violated. the Greek Hotspot Islands’.

Photo: Jim Black, Pixabay Black, Jim Photo: https://t1p.de/7aqz

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Of Earthquakes, COVID and Great Expectations Church and Peace individual members Ana and Otto Raffai from Croatia reflect on last year’s seismic pressures and this year’s hopes for peacebuilding in the Southeast Europe region and beyond.

ehind us lies an unusual Women again played an important Byear, 2020. Here in Croatia, role resisting this ever-growing we experienced the ‘embrace’ of political narrowness in society. two ‘companions’: COVID-19 and Last year, new initiatives to end earthquakes. Even now, we feel violence against women came into aftershocks in daily life. being, successfully raising public awareness. Both natural phenomena showed the strength and weakness of the From a political standpoint, the community. refugees at the border between Bosnia and EU-member Croatia We saw strength in the whole- are invisible, rarely mentioned of-society solidarity with those on Croatian television. Human affected by the earthquake in rights violations are viewed as Petrinja and Sisak: people organised disinformation, if considered at all. humanitarian aid and volunteered Refugees are portrayed as untrusty for weeks on end. Of note was that young men with murky intentions the population responded without – an official state policy all the more ethnic divisions in an area with a dangerous, since we know how significant Serbian minority. easy it is to foster public distrust of Božičević Goran Photo: the ‘other’. The COVID pandemic has marked Nonviolence (Ustanova za politike Preparing the us. Many training activities of Sadly, church representatives have nenasilja). This emerging project launch of the our association, RAND (Regional not taken a clear stance on these will focus on education, action for Academy for Address for Nonviolent Action), issues. The Church could still have peace, and advocacy – timely given the Politics of had to be cancelled or postponed. an impact in the region to protect the nation-wide local elections Nonviolence Danger and restrictions are ever victims of violence and make itself coming up in May. present. We work a lot online; we relevant in this way. wait for a vaccine. We look ahead in hope. To Looking Ahead paraphrase the German theologian Despite these challenging In 2021, we at RAND hope to have Ernst Lange: We will not let our path circumstances, political unreliability many more in-person meetings be determined by the obstacles of – which breeds public distrust – is and training sessions. We hope 2020, but instead be guided by our more difficult to bear, especially to do strategic planning with the great expectations for the future. as social injustice comes to light interreligious Believers for Peace through the crises and through initiative here in Southeast Europe. Ana und Otto Raffai corruption scandals. Public discourse has become more violent, And, we and six other peace echoing the populist politics which activists hope, despite financial have made themselves at home in uncertainties, to launch the our region for years. Academy for the Politics of

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Seedbeds A New Season for the Former Community for Reconciliation

he former Community for An aging membership and TReconciliation (CfR) is ready dwindling numbers in recent for spring. The Church and Peace years triggered reflection about associate member has relaunched the future. From discussions with its ministry under the name the Birmingham-based Newbigin ‘Seedbeds’ and aims to grow School for Urban Leadership leaders and communities for a more a common Seedbeds vision shalom-filled living together. emerged, with four areas of engagement. The Revd Ash Baker, co-CEO of are four seedbed communities in Seedbeds, likens the revisioning Seedbeds Learning focuses on Birmingham and East London. process to the trees at the leadership development. The community’s centre at Barnes Change Makers programme Seedbeds Local also includes Red Close, UK, readying themselves for trains a new generation of urban Letter Christians UK, a network of winter by shedding their leaves and leaders, while the School for people ‘living for Jesus and justice’, burrowing deeper for new sources Urban Leadership offers higher which Ash says is interested in of energy. ‘We [couldn’t] rely on education programmes including sharing insights across Europe. previous sources of energy in the an MA in theology with pathways ways we once could and so we [are in urban mission, humanitarian International work continues digging] the roots deeper into why development and social justice, through Seedbeds Global affiliates CfR was planted to prepare that gift transformative leadership, and like CfR Footprints and its Touch of for a new generation’. ecology. Hope initiative in Bosnia, Croatia, and Serbia, and partnerships in Emerging Founded 35 years ago by United Change Makers also is one part of Germany and Ukraine for urban leaders from Reformed Church ministers John Seedbeds Local, which supports ministries. local seedbeds in and Joan Johansen-Berg as a community peacebuilding in Birmingham and residential community to train challenging urban settings. Finally, Seedbeds is regenerating East London meet and resource peacemakers, CfR Communities nominate a ‘pod’ its CfR roots onsite at Barnes Close, for a first Change grew into a UK-wide network with of future leaders for the 6-month with The Greenhouse retreat and Makers session at international partnerships. In 2008 programme, which integrates education centre as a place to The Greenhouse CfR joined the Church and Peace them into a broader regional and incubate and grow shalom with a at Barnes Close. network. national network. Currently, there new generation.

CfR’s renewal process has been about letting go and transition, a getting ready for a new season with Seedbeds, Ash says. He is excited to re-imagine the ministry of reconciliation in the coming decades to see more of God’s shalom fill people and places.

‘The need for more Christians to become signs of hope in a hurting world couldn’t be more important’.

Join the Seedbeds launch party on 10 July at The Greenhouse (COVID- permitting). For more information and Greenhouse bookings, visit

Photo: Seedbeds https://seedbeds.org/. 8 - - Newsletter No. 10 - Spring 2021 church and peace

Diary 2–5 September 2021 Annual General Meeting and international conference ‘Images of God and nonviolence’ ‘And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Jesus’ (Phil 4:7) Photo: Markus Spiske, Unsplash Spiske, Markus Photo: Strasbourg, France Francophone Region: ‘Signs of the Times’ Sparks Dialogue

ith an invitation to discover The talks are also a dialogue Wwhat the Spirit wants to say between generations, which will to us today, the Church and Peace allow francophone members to Board sent network members the hear more from each other in the Web Resources dialogue paper ‘Signs of the Times’ coming months. ‘Get away from in autumn 2020 as a discussion stress and into connection with ‘Church and Peace comments on starter. Such an unusual year poses others, experienced peacemakers recent security policy decisions of the question: ‘Business as usual, or and companions on the way, to the EU’ what do we learn and how do we draw from the faith that is alive in Church and Peace press release move forward?’ us’, says Maria. regarding statement from the Board, 25 February 2021 The pandemic continues to ‘From this common starting point, define our lives in many different we open ourselves to be further ‘Nuclear weapons are banned – ways. When our energy flags, we led’, she continues. ‘But it is already a historic day’ wrestle with the question of what clear that such moments of joyful Church and Peace press release, comes next: Where do I focus my encounter – rich in both insight and 22 January 2021 commitment to peace and justice? human connection – simply do one What contribution can I make? good and are also needed in times Detailed reports from the 2021 When is it time to take a break? like these’. Britain and Ireland regional conference and online events on The francophone region has Would you like to share thoughts racism and white privilege initiated a monthly time of and experiences with other Church exchange based on the ‘Signs of the and Peace members? Contact Times’ dialogue paper. ‘We simply the International Office for more More Church and Peace press wanted to make space for sharing’, information. releases says Maria Biedrawa, Board member Download and share in your for the region. ‘To talk about what Download your copy of ‘Signs networks! is on our minds with regard to of the Times’ with questions for www.church-and-peace.org/en/ nonviolence, how this relates to our reflection: www.church-and-peace. documents/ daily lives’. org/en/2020/09/signs-of-the-times.

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News from the Network

Northern Ireland Imagining A New Normal Church and Peace individual member Tony Weekes proposed a holistic vision of work at an event organised by the South Belfast Eco-Quaker Group during the 2021 Imagine Belfast Festival. Under the motto ‘Let’s imagine a “new normal”!’ some 35 participants explored approaches such as renewable energy, universal basic income, and community wealth building as more sustainable, equitable ways of being and doing post- pandemic.

Global Focus on Conscientious Objection International Fellowship of Reconciliation-IFOR, a Church and Peace founding member, highlighted the issue of conscientious objection in the first part of 2021 with a webinar series on campaigning and an intervention at the 46th session of the UN Human Rights Council. The webinars focused on strategic litigation, the UN human rights system, public awareness, and international solidarity. https://t1p.de/x27a

Global/UK Building Back Better for Creation A webinar offered by the Friends World Committee for Consultation (FWCC) in February explored how the coronavirus pandemic could trigger ambitious climate justice action. ‘How do we seize the moment to protect God’s creation and life on earth?’, session 8 of the Quaker Conversation series, discussed ways to build back better to create a more sustainable future. FWCC’s Europe and Middle East section is a Church and Peace member. Watch the webinar: https://t1p.de/acac.

UK Ash Wednesday Witness Church and Peace member the Christian Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament co-hosted the annual Ash Wednesday Witness and Resistance online for the first time. Meeting in their own homes rather than outside the Ministry of Defence in London, 150 participants gave thanks for the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, lamented UK policy in support of nuclear weapons, and prayed for peace. Watch the service: https://t1p.de/nm85.nm85.

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News from the Network

Switzerland/Bosnia and Herzegovina Transforming the Trauma of War Church and Peace member Julianne Funk has co-edited and contributed to a resource on trauma transformation in Bosnia and Herzegovina launched in February. Healing and Peacebuilding after War explores strategies to promote recovery and the healing of memories in countries rebuilding after armed conflict. Book launch: youtu.be/zicmKhDO_w8. Orders (discount code FLR40): https://t1p.de/uaxf.

France Restorative Justice and Nonviolence The French branch of the International Fellowship of Reconciliation (MIR France) explored the relationship between restorative justice, reconciliation, and nonviolence at an online conference on 27 March. Thirty-five participants joined the Church and Peace member event, with prison chaplain and Baptist Christophe Hahling of the French Platform for Restorative Justice as keynote speaker. A future issue of MIR France’s Cahiers de la Réconciliation will feature Hahling’s presentation.

Switzerland Grandchamp Prepares Prayers for Christian Unity The Community of Grandchamp, a Church and Peace member, prepared the resources for the 2021 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity under the theme, ‘Abide in my love and you shall bear much fruit’ (Jn 15). For more than a century, churches worldwide have come together in an annual time of prayer and reflection for unity, traditionally between 18-25 January. Read more at https://t1p.de/mqnp or download the resources at https://t1p.de/d3dh.

Southeast Europe Believers for Peace Launch Podcast In November 2020, the interreligious initiative Believers for Peace in Southeast Europe launched a podcast series exploring the interface between contemporary issues, nonviolence, and faith. Episodes have explored the concept of responsibility in a post-COVID society, solidarity, and (dis)trust in politics. Believers for Peace, which aims to strengthen peace-making potential in the Abrahamitic traditions, includes Church and Peace members and friends in the region. Listen in: https://t1p.de/dhc2.

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The Last Word Pandemic Times: When We’re Pushed to the Brink

Reflection by Church and Peace Board Since the pandemic began, human – a human ‘being-with- member Maria Biedrawa on the doctors and psychologists have others’. parallels between her experiences as been saying that the virus and • Become a ‘word midwife’: Help a peace worker in conflict zones and its aftermath are triggering yourself and others to find words the reality of the coronavirus era. symptoms resembling those of for what you are experiencing. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Tell yourself and others stories of s is the case in any extreme (PTSD): outbursts of rage, an all- how you overcame other difficult Asituation, we are revealing who encompassing sense of danger times. What was the spark of we are in these pandemic times in and powerlessness, insomnia, life that made it possible? What our human greatness but also our addictive behaviours, depression, was beautiful and meaningful human vulnerability. social withdrawal, irrational fear of today and what do you hope for unfamiliar situations, constantly tomorrow? The virus has driven some of us reliving a horrific situation in to the brink. Physical, emotional, one's mind, and a certain inability • Tend to your physical, emotional, and social equilibrium. What has done you good in the past? Do it now! What has a neighbour, colleague, or friend found helpful? If it doesn't seem completely absurd, try it too and then talk to them about it. This creates mutuality. • (Re-)Connect with nature. Choose a plant or tree on your street to observe on a regular basis and watch how, with tiny changes, it anticipates the coming of spring. • Bring laughter to those around you on a regular basis, and if you live alone, buy a joke book, read three jokes a day, and then tell them to someone else. • Turn off the TV and disconnect from social media if certain news frightens you too much. Photo: Kelly Sikkema, Unsplash Sikkema, Kelly Photo:

and social equilibrium teeters; to speak about an experience • Pray. Immerse yourself, your loved the mind can no longer keep up; because there are simply no ones, the sick and dying, all of values, even faith, may begin to words to describe it. us, all of creation, over and over, falter. Some communities and deeply in God's love. relationships, and also professions How can we do good for each which face a high risk of exposure other in this extreme situation? Maria Biedrawa to the virus (such as healthcare • Nurture close and far-away providers), have become conflict relationships, and don’t just talk zones over the past year. about the virus and crises. Stay

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