Episcopal Peace Fellowship
For more information, please contact:
Ms. Kristina Minister, Co-Chair
The Rev. Richard Bamforth, Co-Chair
Dear Leaders of the Parishes of the Episcopal Diocese of Maine:
We invite you to join the Episcopal Peace Fellowship-Maine Chapter in extending peacemaking resources to all the clergy and laity of the diocese. Here are some ways you can:
1. Identify one or more people to represent your parish to act as Peace Contacts with the Diocese. We want their ideas and participation. And we will provide them with information for your parish about upcoming events and initiatives. Please provide the names, phone numbers and e-mail addresses of your Peace Contact(s) to Anne Street @sunnysidea@suscom-maine.net or 207-725-6213.
2. Invite us to your parish to speak to your congregation about upcoming events, to lead an adult forum or to conduct a peacemaking workshop. To schedule a visit by an Episcopal Peace Fellowship member, contact John Widdows 773-0830 or jwiddows@maine.rr.com
3. Support peacemaker training that is subsidized by the diocese: Creating a Culture of Peace, November 14-16, 2008, at Living Water Spiritual Center in Winslow ME. Publicize this retreat weekend, make arrangements so that you can attend or sponsor one or more of your church members. See the website http://www.episcopalmaine.net/committees/episcopal_peace_fellowship.html
for more information. For information and registration, contact Karen Rienert @207-353-8446 or email CCP@CarolHuntington.com
We look forward to your reply. And we welcome your ideas about additional ways to advance the Peace of Christ throughout our Diocese, our nation and our world.
May God bless our ministries,
Kris Minister, Dick Bamforth, Chris Pottle, John & Margaret Beaven, Carol Huntington
Editor’s note: The following reflection is from a member of the Episcopal Peace Fellowship- Maine Chapter and Chair of the EPF – Creating a Culture of Peace Resolution Committee which sponsored the diocesan convention passed resolution this past fall - supporting CCP. The Rev. Carol L. Huntington was ordained deacon in 2002. She is canonically resident in the Diocese of Bethlehem, PA. Currently she serves as Deacon at St. Andrew’s, Readfield, ME. CCP@CarolHuntington.com
The Spirituality and Practice of Peacemaking
Submitted by Carol L. Huntington, MSW, M.Div.
Retreat promises new approaches to conflict and more peaceful and just engaged living. Creating a Culture of Peace three day encounter will be held at Living Water Spiritual Center, Winslow November 14-16, 2008.
“CREATING A CULTURE OF PEACE: training for personal and social change” has been a transforming experience in my life! I have always considered myself as being committed to peace and justice, especially justice. It was not until I went to the CREATING A CULTURE OF PEACE (CCP) training last summer that I was able to experience a deeper truth about the integral relationship between peace and justice. I was so inspired and empowered that I enrolled in the fall course to become a trained and certified Facilitator in the national program.
CCP has given me an understanding of the power and creativity of active nonviolence as a way to respond to injustice, oppression, conflict and violence. As a social worker for 40 years --- 25 years living and working in the inner city--- and more recently as a deacon, I have experienced many kinds of violence. My faith as a Christian has been foundational to my ability to try to confront and transform that violence which was at work while I served in the cities of Newark, Jersey City, Paterson and Boston, as well as in my personal and family life. Now I see CCP as part of my Christian formation process. It has provided me with a new sense of personal power and practical skills, and more importantly, a way of being that transcends and transforms the violence that pervades our culture. I see that using active nonviolence is the way to come to justice and peace.
CCP’s innovative and interactive process helps participants find their own power and practice more skills for making personal and social changes without violence. It allows them to address issues which most concern them, such as controversial topics and group conflicts, neighborhood and school violence, domestic violence, climate change, war and militarism, discrimination, video games, homelessness, peace education, and lack of health care. Mutual learning occurs through storytelling, meditation, small group sharing, brainstorming, role plays, thought-provoking exercises, music and movement.
The content of CCP provides a holistic and practical foundation in spiritually-grounded peacemaking. Participants explore violence and active nonviolence, social change, and community-building. Every group chooses and plans concrete projects for change to help create the peaceful world we desire.
Save the date and sign up for this transformative training – retreat experience.
Creating a Culture of Peace:
Noon Friday, November 14- through 3 PM Sunday November 16, 2008
Living Water Spiritual Center, Winslow, ME
Sponsor: Maine Episcopal Peace Fellowship
REGISTRATION AND CCP QUESTIONS:
Contact Karen Rienert, 207-353-8446 OR CCP@CarolHuntington.com
CCP brochure
CCP Registration Form
How We Pray
a meditation on how we pray about peace in the Episcopal Church
Board of Directors Episcopal Peace Fellowship – Maine Chapter. We have elected officers only no Board of Directors.
We have four elected officers. The others listed are members who have specific roles. We have a total of 52 members of the Chapter.
The Reverend Richard Bamforth, Co chair Augusta
Kristina Minister, PhD, Co chair, Portland
Chris Pottle, Treasurer, Oxford
Margaret Beaven, Secretary, Phippsburg
Jim Gill, Publicity Coordinator and Chair of Essay Contest Committee, Gardiner
Mary Ann Hoy, CCP Publicity Consultant., Freeport
Carol Huntington, volunteer Maine CCP Coordinator, Bath
Diane Paterson, CCP brochure and flyer designer, Five Islands
Karen Reinhart, Registrar CCP, Lisbon Falls
Anne Street, CCP Publicity Assistant, Topsham
Vicki Wiederkehr, Liaison to Bishop of Maine,
John Widdows, Peace Education, Portland
