Image courtesy of Getty Creative Images.

Caption: Multi-ethnic group of children colouring at a table while wearing protective face masks to avoid the transfer of germs.

Written by: Hannah Bentley, Gender Justice Organizer

As we move into a new year, we move back into school after a well-deserved winter break. While many parents throughout the U.S. were happy to have multiple days off to spend with their children while school was out for the holidays, others had to continue to work throughout that time. For those parents who were forced to work, for monetary or other reasons, the holidays were likely a stressful time. They had to find childcare for their children, an expensive and, due to the current worker shortage, generally difficult endeavor.

For Black History month, here is a list of read alouds celebrating black history and heritage!

Join our event "Children as Peacemakers: Black History Month - On Earth Peace" on Saturday, Feb 19th @12:00pm EDT using the following link: Children as Peacemakers: Equipping Resilient Leaders | An open discussion about children and racial justice - On Earth Peace

Caption: A hand is placing a flower in a gun, with the first principle of Kingian Nonviolence above it.

Written by: Briel Slocum, Youth & Young Adult Assistant

In the Youth and Young Adult internship, I work with different groups to help counsel them in justice projects they are leading. I work with three different groups currently, and everyone is contributing to their community in abundant ways! Currently, consultation is being granted with three different groups: a group in Ohio, Harrisburg Church of the Brethren, and Westminster Church of the Brethren. Young adults are finding exciting ways to build peace and justice by taking initiative and getting involved.

A chainlink fence acts as the background to the third principle of Kingian Nonviolence. 

Written by Matt Guynn, Director of Organizing

Happy Martin Luther King, Jr., Day! MLK Day is an invitation to re-commit to nonviolence as a way of life. Honoring Dr. King invites each of us to commit to become practitioners of nonviolence, experimenters with soul force in the face of supremacy and violence. We honor Dr. King and the women and men who advanced civil and human rights fifty years ago when we turn our own eyes to the horizon, and set our own hands to the same work they chose in their times. I’d love to hear how you have made this commitment in your own life, or how you’d like to do so even more this year; please share your story with me at [email protected].

Caption: A row of guns is met with a hand holding a flower. The first Kingian Nonviolence Principle is listed. 

Written by Sadia Aurna, Development Fellow

Bill has been so wonderful to work with. My interaction with him started from the very first day of my work here in OEP. He was always kind and at the same time great at teaching. I loved our conversations around very critical topics that need to be discussed more. I hope love, light, and peace will always be with him.