Written by Anna Rodriguez, Kingian Nonviolence Fellow

During the month of July, On Earth Peace has been organizing a 3-part series to explore tools for organizing and community leadership through the values and practices of Kingian Nonviolence Conflict Reconciliation. Join us for our final session!

If you are an organizer working for social change, an activist working to reduce violence in your community, or just someone who wants to learn more, join us! We will apply Kingian tools to the context of each organizer/participant - and, you’re welcome if you’re just curious, but don’t have a specific issue in mind. We anticipate participation from members of OEP’s different Learning Action Communities - but no previous involvement is required. Come build relationships and get a taste of Kingian Nonviolence! Participation at all sessions is not required. REGISTER HERE

This month we've been excited to introduce you to Ruth Karasek and Marie Benner-Rhoades. Our final June newsletter highlights Mark Karasek, educator, innovator, and long time supporter of On Earth Peace! Advocating for peace and justice is a family endeavor for spouses Mark and Ruth, and we are happy to support the Karasek family in their work. 

We hope hearing from the leaders OEP has supported will inspire you to support us- we hope you will feel led to share these stories with others and donate to help support future leaders in OEP. Let these stories inspire you in your own work towards building a more peaceful, just world. 

Mark Karasek

Generation: Baby Boomer (1946-1964)

Since its beginnings in 1974, On Earth Peace has been a branch growing on the tree of peace and justice. The fruit of this work is the intergenerational leadership that has been growing for the past 45 years, which is visible through the Just Peace Leaders whose stories we have been proud to share with you this month! As rain sustains a tree, your support is what helps us grow and continue to support leaders in peace and justice. 

We hope hearing from the leaders OEP has supported will inspire you to support us- we hope you will feel led to share these stories with others and donate to help support future leaders in OEP. Let these stories inspire you in your own work towards building a more peaceful, just world.  

For our second June newsletter, we are excited to share the story of one of our core staff members, Marie Benner-Rhoades! 

• On May 23, Matt Guynn provided a Congregational Peace Health Checkup for Middlebury Church of the Brethren (Middlebury, IN) with support from Anna Rodriguez.  
• On May 18, Matt Guynn participated in the monthly Q&A session held by David Steele, General Secretary of the Church of the Brethren Mission and Ministry Board (MMB), for members of the MMB.
• Dunker Punks Podcast #116 features On Earth Peace's Community Engagement Grants for Youth Groups.  Laura Hay interviews each of the youth who received grants through this program.
• June 20th is World Refugee Day. Get your Refugees Are Welcome Here stickers in time! Available on the JustPeace Outfitters store
• Dennis Duett attended National Young Adult Conference of the Church of the Brethren on behalf of OEP.

Image by Phoebe Pannier

Written by Annabell Knapp, Palestine Organizer

Pinkwashing is a term used to describe when a country, organization, or company uses its positive actions towards the LGBTQ community to distract from their negative actions. The Israeli government is notorious for using this as a propaganda strategy to distract from their human rights abuses that they commit against Palestinians.