Peace Education
Peace Retreat Leadership Team
The Story of the Peace Retreat Leadership Team
Since its inception in 1974, On Earth Peace has been concerned with educating youth in the Church of the Brethren about the things that make for peace. In the early days, Peace Academies, held mainly at the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, Maryland, were a hallmark of our organization. Today, On Earth Peace offers leadership for events, retreats, and workshops to teach peace to youth. Retreats are occasionally held in New Windsor, but more frequently held in districts, camps, and churches, at the request of a sponsoring group.
At a staff gathering in the fall of 2003, On Earth Peace was challenged to consider how the organization might impact the denomination in an even more significant way. From this challenge, On Earth Peace developed some additional and strategic long-term goals. One of these majorgoals is to provide every youth in the Church of the Brethren the opportunity to attend a peace education event. Because our world is caught up in a spiral of violence and perpetuates myths that power and materialism bring safety and happiness, the church needs to provide a different message for youth. Peace Retreats are one way that youth are able to explore counter-cultural messages of peace, justice, and caring for one’s neighbor in a supportive environment.
The formation of a Peace Retreat Leadership Team is one of the first steps in ensuring that On Earth Peace is prepared and organized to accomplish this ambitious long-term goal.
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