Becoming Peace Makers

In a world of seemingly increased violence and lack of civility and at a time of extreme change and wide diversity of opinion in our families, our communities and our world, the Social Concerns Committee wishes to explore the potential of “becoming peacemakers.” Gandhi realized that the spirit of nonviolence begins within us and moves out from there.

“Peace, like charity, begins at home.” Franklin D. Roosevelt

Can one person practicing goodwill and peacemaking in a family completely change the attitudes of that family? What effect does this have on our schools and our communities? The SCC wishes to address holistically the wide range of direct and structural violence in ourselves, our homes and our communities, and ultimately in the international arena, by learning about tools and practices to identify and resolve conflict before it erupts into violence of thought, word or deed. As an interfaith group we are especially mindful of the conflicts within our congregations and faith-based organizations, and between different religious groups. How can we be catalysts for resisting violence? Drawing on our rich and varied religious heritages and texts of the faiths represented by the South Coast Interfaith Council, we can share various interpretations of peace and peacemaking and explore ways in which they may be applied to our personal lives. Peacemaking possibilities:

Inner peace: Mindfulness, meditation and acceptance can enhance our spirituality and make us open to deeper personal relationships.

Personal relationships: Compassionate listening, forgiveness and understanding can resolve conflict and lead to reconciliation.

School violence: Conflict resolution education has been shown to reduce incidents of conflict and aggression, such as bullying, and increase student empathy and emotional management as well as teacher retention.

With respect to our communities, peacemaking emphasizes conflict resolution, restorative justice and rehabilitation.

International relations: Cooperative conflict resolution and sustainable economic development can create a more peaceful, just and compassionate world.

Let us do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves, and with all nations.
Abraham Lincoln, Second Inaugural Address

Action Plan

The Social Concerns Committee’s Action Plan calls for raising awareness of and promoting Peacemaking within the SCIC and the community by:

(1) Fostering and promoting peacemaking activities of the faith groups within the SCIC. We will participate in a monthly Peacemaking Study and Action Group at Pacific Unitarian Church in order to learn more, share information, deepen our connections with each other and join in cooperative actions where possible. We will also participate, interact and collaborate with other peacemaking groups within the congregations of the SCIC and coordinate and publicize events and actions as appropriate in an effort to cultivate a culture of peace.

“Peace, like sunflowers, must be cultivated so it can grow.” Thich Nhat Hanh

(2) Forming a team to collect information and draft announcements, reports, action alerts, and advocacy documents, as well as to plan events. Special attention will be given to integrating SCC peacemaking efforts with the other SCC 2009 goals. Events will include a forum or other opportunity for SCIC faith organizations to explore and share their different interpretations of peacemaking, with emphasis on the correlation between inner peace and peace within families, communities and world peace.

The Becoming Peacemakers Team will highlight materials and tools available for peacemaking and violence prevention such as the Pledge of Nonviolence and the Decade of Overcoming Violence. It will also highlight violence prevention and peace-building projects in our local schools, neighborhoods and communities. We will seek out creative projects for overcoming violence.

How can you help? You can help by practicing peacemaking in your personal life. You can join our Becoming Peacemakers Team and/or you can attend the Social Concerns Committee meetings. You can also study the subject of peacemaking using the resources below and discuss what you’ve read with your friends and family.

If you have suggestions for additional resources that might be added to this resource list, please contact Jane Affonso or call 310-372-7202.

List of Resources

American Friends Service Committee

Baptist Peace Fellowship

Buddhist Peace Fellowship

Church of the Brethren On Earth Peace

Fellowship of Reconciliation

Episcopal Peace Fellowship

Institute for Peace and Justice

Interfaith Voices for Peace and Justice

International Committee for the Peace Council

Jewish Peace Fellowship