Steering Committee
 
Heeding God’s Call: A Gathering on Peace
 

 
First Day, First Month 6, 2008
 
Plymouth Meeting Friends Meeting
 

 
Approved Minutes
 

 
Present:  David Bates, Jordan Blevins, Ted Brinton, Francis Brown, John Bryer, Sam Caldwell, John Caughey, Aaron Crosman, Suzanne Day, Zac Dutton, Pat Finley, Robin Harper, Phillip Jones, Fred Kauffman, Arthur Larrabee, Therese Miller, Don Mitchell, Liz Perch, Peggy Pillard, Thomas Swain, Jim Waddington,
 
 
 
 
Regrets: Anne Bradley, Gretchen Castle, Jonathan Evans, Josh Sollenberger, Barbara Walker
 
 
 
 
The meeting began with semi-programmed worship, including readings from Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, chapter 6: 10-19 and Fresh From the Word (A Brethren publication).
 
 
 
 
Those present introduced themselves, and the agenda was reviewed.
 
 
 
 
Since we have approved dates for the event, we need to be intentional today about a purpose and title.  We need to have a purpose clearly stated, to communicate to others.  After we arrive at our purpose, a small task group will season a title to bring back to us today.
 
 
 
 
Some present wondered if a focus would define the event too narrowly, would box our planning it ways that would prevent us from being open to the Spirit.  Others were clear that a statement of purpose is needed to create a container in which Spirit can work.  Distinctions between purpose and outcomes were made.  The purpose serves as an organizing principle.  We are called to do something, and we need to define what it is we are being called to do.
 
 
 
 
As the group proceeded towards unity on a focus, several considerations and questions engaged the gathered body:
 

• Will the event be interfaith, that is, inclusive of those outside the Christian tradition, or will it be ecumenical, meaning limited to Christian denominations?  What is lost, or gained, by making either choice?
   
• What we are able to do with the event depends on the participants.  We may not be able to expect to reach agreement on a statement if the participant group is too diverse.
   
• We want language that describes a higher vision, that calls participants to action
   
• We are responding to Jesus’ call to be peacemakers.  Jesus could be the subject of the purpose
   
• Some Friends have difficulty with Jesus, with naming Jesus as God.  Some Friends in Philadelphia Yearly Meeting do not identify as Christian.  How are we inclusive of the whole of PYM?
   
• A purpose statement needs to give structure but not predetermine outcomes.
   
• We are looking for something prophetic.  How are Christians, even from the HPC, responding to terrorism and war? 
   
• Could the purpose statement be a query?
   
• Christians have work to do as a group, before reaching out to Muslims and Jews.  A group of Muslims scholars responded to the Pope and the larger Church.  Can a group of Christians unite?
   
• Individuals are hijacking religious traditions and using them for violence and evil purposes.
   
• We are looking for other ways to fight terrorism.  What is the power of goodness?
   
• The initial call for the conference used the quote from scripture, “Be not overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”  There is difficulty with this.  This Biblical imperative was used by President Bush to justify the “war on terror.”
   
• Simple may be better.
   
• Agenda needs to be open enough that actions can germinate.  In defining the purpose, we should not narrow the goal to define outcomes.
   

 
 
 
Following this passionate, engaged discussion, unity was reached on a statement of purpose: To strengthen our witness and work for peace in the world by inspiring hope, raising voices, taking action.
 

 
Ted Brinton asked to distribute his thoughts about common beliefs we might hold in common. Ted was encouraged to share these at a later time (see attachements).
 
 
 
 
The group then divided into three task groups, and one group was asked to season and propose a title.  When the committee reconvened, the Participation/Invitation task group reported that they felt united around a simple title: Heeding God’s Call: A Gathering on Peace.
 
 
 
 
They felt the title was direct.  “Gathering” implies what we want to achieve, where “consultation” or “conference” felt more stilted.  There is plenty of space elsewhere to further define the event, including who is invited. We approved this as our title.
 
 
 
 
The group reaffirmed its recommendation that this is an ecumenical gathering.  We are open to the participation of other faith traditions, but will primarily be inviting Christian communions.  This was approved by the Steering Committee.
 
 
 
 
The Worship and Community task group reported.  This group had several specific recommendations. 
 
 
 
 
The group recognized the importance of storytelling, sharing testimony and/or witnessing (what the Lord has done for each of us and giving testimony to the life of the spirit), and of including elements of fun to balance the energy during the consultation.  We came to unity on the following recommendations for the steering committee.
 
 
 
 
Worship Programming, they recommend that
 
1.            We plan unprogrammed as well as programmed worship.  Some of the worship sessions should be led by Clergy who give sermons. And some of the sessions should be led by Young Adults.
 
2.            Worship should include music and singing, and we should sing songs from hymnals that we all know.
 
3.            We consult African American churches to include the African American church style of worship in the programming, as well as learn from their deep perspective on the peace movement.  We need to include members of African American churches.
 
4.            We consider as potential sermonizers, Tony Campolo and Tom Mullens.
 
5.            We have a designated quiet space where people can gather in order to center themselves mentally and spiritually, as well as to hold the conference in prayer.
 
 
 
 
Community Building and the Schedule, we recommend that
 
1.            We begin and end each day with worship.
 
2.            We plan for one Fun evening (perhaps a talent show, dance, etc).
 
3.            If possible, we plan optional structured worship sharing for participants throughout the conference.
 
4.            We plan a series of workshop-like sessions devoted to exploring the roots of the peace testimony for each participant, asking the question, “Why are we committed to peace; where does our commitment to peace come from?”
 
5.            We plan in the schedule a substantial amount of free time.  Free time is when participants connect, debrief, and learn about each other in ways no structured time could replicate.
 
 
 
 
The Steering Committee approved consideration of the recommendations, and asked that they be included with the minutes. We were in general agreement as to the thrust of these recommendatoions. We will consider specifics in their recommendations at our next meeting.
 
 
 
 
The Outreach task group reviewed ground work laid last month.  We will be moving swiftly to secure a new domain name and server space, with gratitude to John Bryer for his preliminary work in this area.  We are working with the dean of the School of Communications and Theater at Temple to secure a logo design and possibly a full graphics design package.  We may also work with the graphic designer at AFSC.  The Outreach task group is authorized to move forward, with a goal of having a newly designed webpage up in early March and to  bring suggested logos to our next meeting. The full committee will be kept apprised for major descisions.
 
 
 
 
Therese Miller, as a paid consultant, presented her draft sessions plan for the conference.  This is a beginning document, informed by listening on three conference calls, reading minutes, and conferring with Thomas, Arthur, and Liz.  It should be considered a place to start a conversation.  This schedule will look very different six months from now. 
 
 
 
 
Therese reviewed the schedule and assumptions.  She asked that any thoughts committee members have about additions, affirmations, changes, deletions, modifications, or enhancements be sent by email to Therese at tmm@horizonworkplace.com by January 27.  Please include reasoning for suggested changes. There will be an opportunity for everyone to respond to the comments and engage around the revisions at the next meeting.
 
 
 
 
The clerk reminded everyone about the opportunity to participate in the Trinity Institute on Religion and Violence, put on by Trinity Church, Wall Street, and available at satellite locations, including at a church in East Falls, Philadelphia. (www.trinitywallstreet.org/institute.)
 
 
 
 
The committee adjourned, planning to meet again at Plymouth Meeting on Sunday, February 3, at 3 pm.
 
 
 
 
Respectfully submitted,
 
 
 
 
Liz Perch
 
Conference Coordinator
 
Attachment 1
 
 
 
 
BELIEFS –WHAT WE HOLD TO BE TRUE
 

• Each life is endowed with a sacred dimension which must not be debased or exploited or destroyed for any reason or under any circumstance. (belief in the sanctity and dignity of life).
   

•  We are not willing to kill at the behest of, and for the sake of interests of a particular civil power or structure.
   

• There is a direct interrelationship between peace and justice.
   

• Human beings can rise above their baser nature, can respond to stimuli other than fear and threats and naked power.
   

• There is an imperative need for deep and active caring for the well being of others.
   

• We all live on one planet, we are one, we share a common destiny.
   

• War is obsolete, we have the capacity to destroy all that God has created.
   

 
Submitted by Ted Brinton