The Peacebuilder: Newsletter (Email)

During their spring 2013 meeting, the On Earth Peace board of directors and staff participated in an antiracism training - the agency's next step in a commitment to address issues of racism within and outside of the organization.

The training was conducted by Crossroads Antiracism Organization and Training, a nonprofit organization providing organizing, training and consulting to institutions striving to dismantle racism. The purpose of this initial training was to educate the On Earth Peace board and staff about how racism, power, and privilege has become engrained within our society and our institutional structures - including the church.

On Earth Peace will now begin analyzing and auditing internal policies and procedures that maintain white power and privilege, and begin creating a strategy to dismantle oppressive systems inside the organization.

During the meeting, the board welcomed new members Melisa Grandison (Wichita, Kan.) and Jordan Bles (Lexington, Ky.). The group also recognized outgoing treasurer Ed Leiter (New Windsor, Md.) for his service to the organization.  Key items of business included affirming the "Resolution Against Drone Warfare" (see below), revisions to the agency's staff policy manual and an update on the 3000 Miles for Peace campaign. In addition, the board approved the appointment of David Braune (Westminster, Md.) as the organization's new treasurer.

As an agency of the Church of the Brethren, On Earth Peace is committed to make all its resources available to help the church engage this serious issue. In particular, On Earth Peace's Ministry of Reconciliation (MoR) will be ready to help people from all different points of view seek the will of the Spirit together when this resolution is under consideration at the upcoming Annual Conference in Charlotte, North Carolina, this July.

"Leslie Frye and the MoR team understand that this may be a challenging conversation among people who bring strongly held views on this question," says On Earth Peace Executive Director Bill Scheurer. "Even though On Earth Peace as an organization supports this Mission and Ministry Board resolution, our Ministers of Reconciliation are fully trained and capable to help create safe spaces for people of all viewpoints, concerns, and opinions to share and explore their differences respectfully."

The Nonviolent Social Change ministry of On Earth Peace also is ready to help any congregations or other groups who may want to organize around this issue. Likewise, the Youth and Young Adult ministry will respond to any congregation or other requests for special events around this new and developing form of war.

"Our agency has a lot to offer the church as it faces these kinds of new challenges," says Madalyn Metzger, On Earth Peace Board Chair. "We want people to be aware of all we can do to help."