wfn.org | Presbyterian Peacemaking Program Conferences Draw Crowds

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30-August-1996 
 
 
 
96309            Presbyterian Peacemaking Program 
                     Conferences Draw Crowds 
 
                         by Julian Shipp 
 
LOUISVILLE, Ky.--The Presbyterian Peacemaking Program held two conferences 
this summer at Estes Park, Colo., and Montreat, N.C., that attracted more 
than 1,000 participants.  The theme for both events was "Together at the 
Well." 
 
     Held Aug. 3-7 and 11-15, respectively, the conferences encouraged 
participants to reinvest in their communities while deepening their 
spiritual lives. Ervin Bullock, Presbyterian Peacemaking Program associate 
for planning and programming, said preliminary figures show that 527 people 
attended the Montreat conference and 475 attended the one in Estes Park. 
 
     Bullock described this year's plenary speakers as "outstanding."  They 
included Leontine Kelly, who was elected a bishop of the United Methodist 
Church in 1984.  Kelly is the first African-American woman and the second 
female to be elected bishop of any major denomination. 
 
     Another presenter at this year's conferences was Paul Jones, an 
ordained United Methodist minister, former professor of philosophical 
theology and author. Jones currently alternates life as a Trappist monk 
with writing and working with the poor in the Ozark Mountains. 
 
     Other speakers were Ada MarĦa Isasi-DĦaz, associate professor of 
theology and ethics at Drew University in Madison, N.J., and Millard 
Fuller, founder and president of Habitat for Humanity International, Inc., 
of Americus, Ga. 
 
     "The speakers really challenged us," remarked Sara Lisherness, 
associate for peacemaking in the Congregational Ministries Division. 
 
     Another highlight of the conferences was the gathering of small groups 
for the purpose of meditation and sharing. Participants shared their 
experiences at the conferences and were also made more aware of God's 
presence in their lives and world by using a variety of spiritual 
disciplines. 
 
     Bullock said the intergenerational activities at the conference sites 
were also well received.  Optional activities for all ages included an 
evening nature walk and stargazing, karaoke, singing, international games 
and dances. 
 
     A Peacemaking Conference offering was collected at both sites with 
several churches, synods and presbyteries applying for a portion of the 
funds. Bullock said that more than $4,000 was received at both conference 
sites and 50 percent of each offering will go toward racial-ethnic 
scholarships for next year's conferences. 
 
     Twenty-five percent of the offering from both conference sites will be 
used to fund each of four selected peacemaking projects.  At Montreat, the 
Memphis Presbytery Peacemaking Task Force of Memphis, Tenn., and the Kid's 
Night Out program of Oakwood Avenue Presbyterian Church in Troy, N.Y., were 
selected as offering recipients. 
 
     According to Rosemary Banta, Memphis Presbytery Peacemaking Task Force 
member, the presbytery is conducting an anti-racism program and will use 
the money to pay professionals in the area of race relations to train 
church volunteers for leading workshops. The money will also be used to pay 
for travel reimbursement, resource materials and mailing fees. 
 
     The Rev. Beth Illingworth, spokesperson for the Kid's Night Out 
program of Troy, N.Y., said her church is located in an economically 
depressed area where violence and drug activity are high but opportunities 
for teenagers and children are low. For more than 10 years, Oakwood Avenue 
Presbyterian Church has conducted a youth program at a local school three 
evenings per week. But, Illingworth said, the program is outgrowing the 
small 80-member church, and the money will be a welcome means for 
expansion. 
 
     "We have reached more than 200 children and have an average of 60 
during the peak months of winter," Illingworth said. "We provide crafts, 
computer activities, a gym for basketball, jump rope and meals. We deeply 
believe we have been called to this work." 
 
     At Estes Park, the Peacemaking Team of  the Presbytery of New Covenant 
of Houston, Texas, and Project Response of Auburn, Neb., were selected as 
offering recipients.  
 
     The Peacemaking Team, with the presbytery's support, has supported 
various efforts to stop gun violence in America.  For example, following 
passage of the 1995 Texas Concealed Handgun Law, the team distributed 
decals designating places of worship as "Gun-Free Areas" to Presbyterian 
churches throughout the presbytery. The presbytery's Peacemaking Team will 
use the additional funding from the offering to expand their educational 
efforts to stop gun violence. 
      
     A program of First Presbyterian Church of Auburn, Neb., Project 
Response serves domestic violence victims in the five-county area of 
southwest Nebraska. A 24-hour telephone crisis line is currently staffed by 
volunteers, and plans call for adding two short-term shelters for homeless 
women and children. 
 
     Bullock said planning is already under way for next year's Peacemaking 
Conferences, which will be held July 17-21 at Estes Park, Colo., and Aug. 
10-14 at Montreat, N.C. The theme for the 1997 conferences is "Facing 
Racism: In Search of the Beloved Community." Brochures containing more 
information will be mailed this fall. 

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