There are so many ways that Barbara contributes to our ongoing work.  Barbara is a regular consultant in our anti-racism work and in our conflict transformation work.  Barbara has shared that it is her mission to honor and bring forward the leadership of young people of color in the Church of the Brethren into formal denominational roles. 

She has mentored and watched out for generations of young adults growing into peace and justice leadership in the Church of the Brethren, helping them grow in self-awareness while navigating the currents of being Brethren. As On Earth Peace formalized our commitment to anti-racism, including building to having a people-of-color majority Board of Directors, Barbara serves as an advocate and truth-teller in our deepening relationship with people of color, offering us a point of accountability, concern, and support. She serves as a resource consultant to the Standing with People of Color Study/Action Committee, offering frameworks for the conversations that are taking place throughout the denomination.  

Barbara Daté facilitating a workshop.

Over the decades, she worked in many COB Districts teaching workshops to build healthy relationships as well as facilitating guided interventions as a catalyst to healing relationships. This work evolved into the Ministry of Reconciliation program, first within the denominational offices and then with On Earth Peace.  Barbara’s reconciliation processes, frameworks, and curriculum continue to inspire and focus our work.  

Barbara’s “Foreign Language of Caring” curriculum provides practical skills in conflict and communication, including micro-paraphrasing and impact preview. Since the 1970s, she has trained thousands within and beyond the Church of the Brethren in these skills, along with the Gilmore-Fraleigh Styles profile. 

Barbara was raised in the York Center Co-op, an intercultural, interfaith residential co-operative community of 79 families on a hundred acres thirty miles west of Chicago and within a progressive Church of the Brethren congregation. Barbara witnessed first-hand diverse folks living in harmony and working out conflicts, which provided her with the vision that “Peace and harmony is possible!” This early life grounding led Barbara to specialize in diversity and justice issues with a passion that continues to this day.

Barbara holds an Interdisciplinary Master’s Degree in Interpersonal and Small Group Communication & Conflict Resolution, as well as a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology, specializing in Prosocial, Proactive Behavior (both from the University of Oregon). Barbara was the Esau Distinguished Visiting Professor in Conflict Resolution Studies at Menno Simons College/The University of Winnipeg, Canada where she was blessed with 2 years with shorter stints in the Pacific Islands, Ireland and Northern Ireland.

We benefit from Barbara’s personal life and leadership within the Church of the Brethren, especially related to her ongoing Ministry of Presence, compassionate listening, and healing towards evolving healthy relationships.  For this we are grateful. We celebrate Barbara. 

Formal recognition of Barbara Daté at the Church of the Brethren Annual Conference. Photo credit: Glenn Riegel, Church of the Brethren.