 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2002 (XXXX 4) |
This past summer, Princeton Meeting hosted PYM’s new two-hour facilitated discussion on "The Peace Testimony and the ‘War on Terrorism’: Exploring Our Differences and Commonalities,” co-led by PYM Adult Religious Education Coordinator Gene Hillman and PYM Conflict Response Specialist Caroline Packard. Other Meetings are planning similar discussions for this fall.
Through discussion and worship-sharing, Princeton Friends explored how they and their Meeting have been affected by the events of September 11, 2001, the “War on Terrorism,” and the Middle East conflict. Questions included: What does the Peace Testimony mean for us today? How can we relate lovingly to others in our Meetings who may hold different views? How can we speak our truth quietly but clearly in our daily lives?
Friends talked about how they wanted to respond outwardly to world events, but also about what these events mean for them spiritually. We saw that we are called to do some things as individuals and other things corporately as a Meeting. We also saw how important it is for Friends who may feel alienated from their Meeting to have a safe forum for talking about these issues. We explored how to help the Meeting become even stronger as a community in which people can express their differences on sensitive issues honestly and lovingly.
Participants said the discussion reaffirmed for them that their Meeting is very much a religious, contemplative community. “It’s good to be here; this is what we ought to be about,” said one Friend. “I think this discussion will bring some of us who have felt alienated from each other closer together,” another commented. “I’m so happy this happened.”
To arrange a facilitated discussion for your Meeting on this topic, or any other topic that’s hard to talk about, contact Caroline at 215-241-7029 or carolinep@pym.org.
Caroline Packard
Central Philadelphia Meeting
PYM Conflict Response Specialist
Last modified: Wednesday, February 18, 2004 at 08:18 AM