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JOIN DISTRICT BOARD FOR NONVIOLENCE CONFLICT RECONCILIATION TRAINING ON FEBRUARY 3

Join the Northern Plains District Board on February 3rd for an introductory training in Kingian Nonviolence and nonviolence conflict resolution.  Arising from Martin Luther King, Jr., and the leadership of the Black-led US Civil Rights Movement, Kingian non-violence is “agape love in action” and may be used to solve personal and community problems.  Our facilitators, Katie Shaw Thompson and Thomas Dowdy, will discuss the core of the Kingian Nonviolence Legacy and share stories from their own lives and ministries and the broader Movement.

The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. taught and practiced active nonviolent conflict reconciliation.  The Church of the Brethren is now ramping up its commitment to conflict reconciliation by providing workshops in Kingian Nonviolence.  On February 3, 2024, from 1:00-3:00 pm CT, over Zoom, the Northern Plains District Board will hold a two-hour training workshop: Introduction to Kingian Nonviolent Conflict Reconciliation.  The District Board invites everyone in the District (all ministers, congregational leaders, members, friends, youth, adults) to join them in this training. Please show up to the Zoom room 10-15 minutes early so we can start on time.  No cost to participate. 

The workshop is provided by On Earth Peace, an agency of the Church of the Brethren. It will be led by Katie Shaw Thompson, pastor of the Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren (Elgin, IL) and former pastor of the Ivester (IA) Church of the Brethren as well as Thomas Dowdy, member of the Imperial Heights (CA) Church of the Brethren and youth mentor in Kingian Nonviolence. On Earth Peace has set a goal to Train 1000 Brethren in Kingian Nonviolence.  Toward this end, the Church of the Brethren Mission and Ministry Board is now being trained and multiple districts (South/Central Indiana, Missouri/Arkansas, Mid-Atlantic) have held workshops.   The Northern Plains District Board has committed $1,000 to On Earth Peace to provide our workshop and toward the larger cause. 

From On Earth Peace:

Kingian Nonviolence is a philosophy and methodology -- with knowledge, skills, and motivation people can use to apply nonviolent strategies for solving personal and community problems.  It is agape love in action. It emerges from the work of Martin Luther King, Jr., and the leadership of the Black-led US Civil Rights Movement. Kingian Nonviolence is an approach to conflict and to community change. This approach has a specifically Brethren connection, through curriculum co-author David Jehnsen.  Project Goals: Train 1000 Brethren-affiliated people to use Kingian Nonviolence as a resource for Christian peacemaking, Foster teams that continue working together on issues of concern, Help Brethren revitalize and channel our faith heritage, Re-imagine how Brethren can engage communities and issues.

On Earth Peace is committed to intergenerational peace formation.  This year, we created Family Packs to explore the Principles of Kingian Nonviolence.  These activities are designed for table conversations and activities for ages 3-93+.  Children and adults are encouraged to consider how a commitment to nonviolence can be lived out in their family and community.

This 2 Hour webinar covers:

• The "4 pillars" of Kingian Nonviolence provided in the context of the Movement 
• Initial introduction to the 6 Principles with connections to real-life scenarios
• The Social Dynamics of Kingian Nonviolence to better understand the dynamics that nonviolence practitioners navigate to develop powerful initiatives 

This training will be co-facilitated by Katie Shaw Thompson and Thomas Dowdy.

Meet others interested in Kingian Nonviolence, build Beloved Community, and connect with On Earth Peace's Kingian Nonviolence Learning Action Community!

Note: You will be added to our Peacebuilder email list by registering for this event, if you do not wish to be on the list please email [email protected]