LISTENING FROM THE HEART

AN INSPIRATIONAL STORY

                                   

                                                        

A fundamental principle of peacemaking is the pursuit of mutual understanding. It is important to seek first to understand before seeking to be understood. Listening to each other's narratives offers invaluable insights. By setting aside judgment, biases, and preconceptions, we can engage in "listening from the heart." Instead of hastily inserting our own experiences, we learn to fully inhabit someone else's story, fostering genuine empathy and understanding. This process facilitates collective growth and unity.

Stories serve as catalysts, urging us to persevere and aspire to our highest selves, undeterred by challenges or setbacks. They inspire resilience and determination, encouraging us to remain steadfast in our pursuit of personal growth and excellence. Sedrick's story is such a story.

  Check out the vlog here     

LET'S TALK ABOUT IT...

                                   

 It is often said in life two things are sure—death and taxes. While taxes predictably roll around year after year and we discuss and complain about them, the subject of death remains shrouded in mystery. Its mention we rarely dare to whisper as though uttering it could hasten its arrival.

Traditionally, peacemaking is interpersonal, resolving conflicts between individuals or groups. Yet peacemaking is also intrapersonal. The ultimate example is the terminal journey that we each must travel alone through uncharted waters. The conditions are unpredictable–the waters may be calm, a contrary tempest, or a combination of both. Hopefully we will make our peace as we journey through.   

The passage from life to death is often facilitated by angels of mercy along the way. They enter quietly through the process sprinkling mercy drops of hope, peace, and encouragement in very practical ways easily overlooked. They do not evade difficulty but seem able to normalize death in a healthy way. One such person is my sister in law who is a hospice nurse. Recently she was invited to share her perspective on a friend's podcast.  It is definitely worth a listen. I hope you find it as uplifting as I did. It came along just at the right moment for me.  

Listen to the podcast

    

BUILDING HEALTHY CHURCH RELATIONSHIPS-BOOK REVIEW

RELATIONSHIP KEEPERS

     I first met the author, Kent Pate, over 45 years ago–his faithfulness to his life message has been a consistent trajectory. I was greatly impacted by his message years ago and no less today, through his writing. 

    This book truly challenges us in one of the most complex and often conflict-riddled arenas–the church. This microcosm, i.e. the church,  is a high-stakes grouping. How we collectively deal with conflicts in this relationship has the potential to create interest leading to a deeply meaningful, synergistic relationship with others through our relationship with Christ and his teachings. Conversely, non-constructive, unmanaged, or unresolved conflict can create disappointment leading to cynicism and distance.

    The scriptures are abundant and now Kent gives sound strategies and skills learned through his life experiences navigating as a church leader. His practical guidance backed by scripture and sound research shows a way through conflict–a worthwhile journey that gives an opportunity for growth, restoration, and reconciliation. 

            Relationship Keepers on Amazon 

         

    

 

LONG OVERDUE-AN ARMENIAN STORY

Long Overdue... 

Recently as of April 2021, our President publicly acknowledged the 1915 Armenian Genocide on its 106th Commemoration Day. He is the first president in history to do so. The Armenian community's trauma has never been officially acknowledged, and as such gives way to a resurgence of protracted conflict which has happened in very recent months.  

"Each year on this day, we remember the lives of all those who died in the Ottoman-era Armenian genocide and recommit ourselves to preventing such an atrocity from ever again occurring."     Joe Biden

With this acknowledgment, comes renewed hope for an end to this conflict and that healing and the beginning of the reconciliation process can begin.

Reconciliation Song, beautifully highlights the new possibilities. Click title to listen.

Read a personal and touching story by the songwriter, Jon Shabaglian...

My grandparents fled from the Armenian genocide, and my great grandfather was taken up on a death march and shot. The pain was tremendous, but the beautiful paradox as those persecuted so severely, Armenians, we have 1700 years of Christianity in our bloodline, and Jesus was crushed and mocked too. This powerful collusion came together for me when God collided me into my future friend @orhan_celebi a few years prior to the 100 year anniversary of the tragedies. 

I would’ve never chosen a Turkish friend of people who should be my enemy, but God pushed me forward into a profound reconciliation story. He was cooking up something that was far bigger than me. I wrote this song in processing this painful, beautiful new friendship, and In 2015 we ended up sharing our story and song we recorded together in Istanbul Turkey on a historic reconciliation gathering. This is this song, With the lyrics in English Armenian and Turkish, just like we shared. 

So on this day, the first time an American president acknowledged this genocide formally, I’m inviting my Armenian brothers and sisters, and many others who’ve know extreme pain and injustice, to join me on the scary road of forgiveness towards reconciliation, with Jesus. In the words of Tony Stark, “resentment is corrosive”... 

 Hope this moves you, and feel free to share...

THE NEWCOMERS BOOK REVIEW

Quite by accident, my daughter and I stumbled upon a PBS special; Evan Smith's interview with Helen Thorpe about her latest book. Our curiosity was piqued by topics that interested us both; education and refugees. My daughter promptly ordered a copy. 

The Newcomers: Finding Refuge, Friendship, and Hope in An American Classroom, captures a microcosm of the refugee issue by observing and documenting a year in an ELL classroom in a Denver school. The main characters in her story are 22 students from 14 different countries learning English in an American classroom for the first time. Their stories are compelling.

Helen Thorpe's insight through long form journalism shifts the refugee crisis from a broad stroke political issue to a deeply individualistic and relational response that strikes at the heart of who we are as a nation. Her perspicacious observations are keenly noted in this quote.

  I would even say that spending a year in Room 142 had allowed me to witness something as close to holy as I've seen take place between human beings. I could only wish that in time, more people would be able to look past their fear of the stranger and experience the wonder of getting to know people from other parts of the globe.

Helen Thorpe's book refutes the pervasive otherness of our current climate and gives voice to a muffled cry for open-handed generosity, compassion, and inclusion.  Her writing reminds us that we collectively can do better and be better.  It is definitely worth the read.

PAYING IT FORWARD

Fresno Pacific UniversityPACS Masters Graduates 2014

The first class I ever took at FPU hooked me!  The class was Dr. Ron Claassen’s School Conflict Resolution Discipline That Restores Peer Mediation Training.  I had already enrolled in a long delayed Master’s program at another university.

 I had waited until after both daughters had graduated from college and launched into their careers.  I wondered if it was worth it or if it was too late but deep down I knew it was a goal that had always been in my heart.  I had looked for the right niche that fit my drive for purpose and meaning in my calling to teach. Then I heard Dr. Dalton Reimer talk about shalom in that first class.  It was one of those destiny-defining, course altering moments when I knew that this was my new direction. 

All that I learned in the Peacemaking and Conflict Studies program changed my teaching but more importantly informed and transformed my thinking.  The door opened in my last year at FPU to be campus mediator.  I was so impressed as I facilitated mediations watching the wraparound care and support of professors, coaches, and other staff who consistently showed up with grace, encouragement, and accountability for students who needed it.  I learned so much about how an organization can use mediation and restorative practices and become a culture of care. 

Currently I am honored to teach an online class with FPU called Student Mediator Training. This class offers strategies to teach K-12 students to be peer mediators on their campus…a way to give back and pay it forward.

Thank you, FPU, for what you do!  It’s never too late to learn.

Rhonda Hearnsberger, PACS MA 2014

WOMEN WAGING PEACE

The Women Waging Peace Network at the Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice at the University of San Diego is a network of over 1,000 women peacemakers from around the world.  These women serve as negotiators, experts, advocates, policymakers, and other roles in global peace processes.


I was privileged to attend the 2018 Women PeaceMaker Panel recently.  The panel included Oxana Cristescu of Eurasia who has worked in various conflict affected areas including Ethiopia, Sudan, Kosovo, Moldova, Ukraine, and Lebanon; Rosa Emilia Salamanca of Colombia who has played a part in the Colombian peace process and the final negotiations in Havana which resulted in one of the most gender inclusive peace agreements in history; Amira Abdulrahman Hussein Timan of Sudan who has worked in mobilizing groups to participate in the peace negotiations between the Government of Sudan and Darfur Armed Groups; and Mariam Yazdani of Pakistan who has worked in developing programs related to peace building and community policing in areas including Haiti and Brazil.

These women and the big things they are doing to build capacity for peace are impressive.  Rosa Emilia Salamanca made a comment (paraphrase mine) at the beginning as videos were shown of each of the four, herself included, "I wanted to crawl under my chair, I don't like to be talked about."  She went on to say it is the "we" that makes the difference. The groundbreaking shift in Columbia had been impacted by the collective voice of women.  It was the readiness of a grassroots group of women to interject their agenda into what was already going on at a pivotal moment.  Their perception, timing, and readiness was historical.  As I wedged in and eavesdropped on Rosa speaking to a group of youth activists during the reception and mingle time...I heard her humbly restating over and over, "It is the we... that makes the difference." (Paraphrase mine)

I was also struck by the realization that these four and others who participated could have very different points of view.  Peacemaking is so nuanced and specific to each setting.  I am astounded at how perceptive and circumspect yet courageous these women are in the often illusive realm of their work.  Yet we can all agree that every shift and every space created by that space is success that can be built upon-that requires incredible patience; always living with the long view while looking for moments when critical mass creates momentum that requires action.Every action of the negotiator or peace advocate speaks of passion and calling.
 
Every shift makes a difference. As I mingled, I conversed with a young woman standing to the side thumbing through some handouts.  I asked if this was her first time to attend or if she was a regular at these events.  She said it was her first time, that she always wanted to come but had never found the time.  She worked with a special needs group and was now enrolled in city college Peace Studies.  As we talked I heard such enthusiasm in her voice as she articulated about a paper she had written highlighting the practice of "circles" in schools and the difference it could make when children were given a voice and felt heard.  I was equally impressed by this young single mom who was creating her own space through the shift in her direction to making peace normative and integral to her education and way of thinking.

My takeaway is that every shift makes a difference and we cannot know the ripple effect of one small space created and what that might do for peacemaking or peace building long term.  Whether it is teaching our young children in schools or negotiating between nations each contributes to global peace.

Women make a big difference in lasting peace. 
Statistics show that women's involvement in peace initiatives are critical and

lead to more durable peace.

64% PEACE AGREEMENTS LESS                             LIKELY TO FAIL

WHEN SOCIETY GROUPS INCLUDING WOMEN'S ORGANIZATIONS ARE INVOLVED


35% PEACE AGREEMENTS MORE
                 LIKELY TO LAST AT LEAST
                 15 YEARS

WHEN WOMEN PARTICIPATE IN PEACE PROCESSES RESULTING IN AGREEMENT