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Caption: Text stating 'This Land' is written in bold red next to a photo of Rebecca Nagle

Written by Kharis Murphy, Communications Fellow

As a fighter for peace and justice, and particularly as a white ally living on stolen and colonized land, I believe one of the most important things I can do is listen to those who are more marginalized than I am, learn our collective history and absorb their stories. That’s why my recommendation this month is the podcast “This Land,” by Rebecca Nagle and Crooked Media.

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Caption: The cover of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid is shown. 

Written by Hannah Bentley, Gender Justice Organizer

In present-day New York City, Monique works as a writer, trying her best to climb up the ranks of journalism. Through her workplace, she receives an odd, yet at the same time appealing and life-changing, offer: to interview Evelyn Hugo, famed Cuban-American Old-Hollywood movie star. While she expects a quick interview with Evelyn, what she receives is much greater than that: the opportunity to hear her entire life story, including secrets from all of her past relationships—and one hidden relationship, one that could have destroyed her career years ago.

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Caption: A graphic of a tree shaped into a fist is shown behind the words ‘Environmental Justice.’

Written by Janell Ryan, Newsletter Editor

For my recommendation, I wanted to do something I wouldn’t usually focus on; I typically lean towards LGBTQ+ or racial justice, or anything spreading awareness for mental health. Luckily for me, I found a podcast that encapsulates all of those things while also spreading awareness for a larger topic: environmental justice.

In 2021, On Earth Peace fully launched our first Fellows cohort as an extension of our internship program.  Our Fellows deepen the work begun in their internships, allowing OEP to do even more! Here is a bit from each of them: 

Anna Rodriguez, Kingian Nonviolence Fellow (former Environmental Justice Organizer and Kingian Nonviolence Organizer):

I learned about Kingian Nonviolence when I started working for OEP and it opened my mind to want to develop new skills in the field. I started attending OEP webinars where interns had the chance to learn about Kingian Nonviolence.  Soon I realized it wasn’t merely a concept but a way of life… In the last year I have had the opportunity to grow at the personal and professional level, to learn from different communities about conflict, peace and reconciliation, and to become a better leader myself.

Kharis Murphy, Communications Fellow (former Stop Recruiting Kids Organizer):

Through my internship experiences, I was able to build skills in strategic thinking, setting goals for campaigns, capacity building in order to meet goals, collaboration, and creative problem solving. I believe these skills as well as skills I have developed through outside experience in the past year equip me well as the Communications Fellow with OEP.

Tamera Shaw, Organizing Fellow (former Racial Justice Organizer):

I’m interested in looking at the type of organizing that OEP is doing. What are the expectations? And, more importantly, what’s possible? Through my experience as an intern, I’ve learned that actual work with real people is possible! And, because we are an agency of the Church of the Brethren (COB), how do we appropriately stimulate the COB in order to create a better relationship/connection with the COB as an institution?

Skylar Rella, Anti-Racism Transformation Team Fellow (former Gender Justice Organizer):

I wholeheartedly believe that anti-racism should always be central, with an acknowledgement and understanding, too, that racism at its roots is deeply tied to many other forms of oppression. The invention of gender and sex categories in particular came to be in our culture in ways that were very intentionally tied to upholding white supremacy; this reality makes it so that, in a variety of ways, gender in particular is very much part of the conversation about race. I personally believe an intersectional approach is a necessary part of moving forward in this work in more effective, intentional, and loving ways.

Sadia Aurna, Development Fellow (former Campaign Organizer):

Fundraising and development work is something that I am extremely passionate about. I envision structuring our prospect research, grant research and outreach to both individuals and the congregations. I look forward to the next year as I and the team work for peace and justice. Peace and love that come within our very core, I believe, has the power to transform the world in the most positive way possible.

To support the work of On Earth Peace, make a donation today at www.OnEarthPeace.org/donate.

• On September 23, at 3:00pm, there will be an Intro to Kingian Nonviolence session facilitated by Dr. Mark Friedman and Anna Rodriguez. Register by clicking here!
• On September 8, Matt Guynn preached for the weekly chapel service of Bethany Theological Seminary as part of a multi-week series on "Active Pacifism."
• On September 7, David Jehnsen, Clara McGilly, and Matt Guynn offered a workshop on the Brethren roots of Kingian Nonviolence as part of the Church of the Brethren National Older Adult Conference.
• On October 19, there will be an Intro to Kingian Nonviolence facilitated by Pam Smith and Clara McGilly. Register by clicking here!
• On September 9, Matt Guynn participated in the board meeting of the Institute for Human Rights and Responsibilities, which publishes the Kingian Nonviolence curriculum.
• On September 14, OEP connected with congregational donors and supporters through three updates conducted via Zoom.