wfn.org | Peacemaking Conference Will Focus on Interfaith Relations

[PCUSA NEWS <pcusa.news@ecunet.org>]

20-January-2000 
00025 
 
    Presbyterian Peacemaking Conference 
    Will Focus on Interfaith Relations 
 
    Annual event will be in southern California this year 
 
    by Jerry L. Van Marter 
 
LOUISVILLE, Ky.- This year's Presbyterian peacemaking conference -- 
"UNCOMMON GROUND: Living Faithfully in a Diverse World" - will focus on 
religious diversity and explore issues of living faithfully as 
Presbyterians in a religiously pluralistic world. 
 
    The annual conference, sponsored by the Presbyterian Peacemaking 
Program, will be held at Chapman University in Orange, Calif., near Los 
Angeles, July 26-29. 
 
    As is customary, the peacemaking conference will again be 
multi-generational, with theme-related activities designed for each 
specific age group, and other activities meant for participants of all 
ages. 
 
    "Peaceful Beginnings" will be the program for children under age 3. 
Four-year-olds through those entering fifth grade will explore "How 
children can be peacemakers," through drama, dance, sign, puppets, crafts, 
music and cooperative games. Junior-high and senior-high youth will have 
separate morning and afternoon programs and may choose from adult workshops 
or attend those designed especially for them. The young adults will have a 
dorm floor where they can stay together or hang out; they also will have 
age-group workshops, young-adult evening discussion groups, and a coffee 
house where they can talk and share their musical gifts. 
 
    There will also be special evening activities for participants of 
different ages, including an International Bazaar; "Sing It, Swing It, and 
Sling It!" with songs, crafts, games and swing dancing; "Late Night at the 
Movies"; a Cyber-Caf for Internet and e-mail junkies; and "Last Chance 
Dance." 
 
    The conference preacher will be Rodger Nishioka, coordinator of youth 
and young adult ministries for the Congregational Ministries Division in 
Louisville, who was recently appointed professor of Christian education and 
youth ministry at Columbia Theological Seminary. The conference musicians 
will be Juan and Kathy Trevino, song leaders from Rockdale, Texas. 
 
    The theme presenters will be Wesley Ariarajah, a professor of 
ecumenical theology at Drew University and author of "The Bible and People 
of Other Faiths" and "Not Without My Neighbor - Issues in Interfaith 
Relations," and the Rev. Dirk Ficca, executive director of the Council for 
a Parliament of the World's Religions.  A panel of three Middle Eastern 
women from three different faith backgrounds will lead the third plenary. 
 
    The conference will also include 34 workshops dealing with issues of 
living in pluralistic faith communities, understanding other faiths, 
interfaith dialogue, and finding ways to work together on issues of common 
concern in our communities.  There also will be an opportunity for 
conferees to go on an Immersion Experience - a full day at the faith center 
of another faith. 
 
    The peacemaking conference will again offer training for presbytery 
peacemaking leaders.  It will include times for spiritual reflection and 
renewal, ideas for organizing and revitalizing peacemaking locally, time to 
discern and nurture one's call and to get to know peacemaking staff and 
others from across the denomination. 
 
    The registration deadline is June 16. Those who register May 1 will 
qualify for a discount.  Registration materials are available from 
Presbyterian Distribution Service; call 1-800-524-2612 and specify PDS# 
70-270-99-010.   

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