By Jean Sack and Phyllis Dodd
At least 20 individuals came to Westminster (Md.) Church of the Brethren from seven other congregations in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and northern Virginia, to sing, pray, share, and partner in our desire for peace and goodwill on earth.
After soup and salad, lunch and fellowship, the meeting began. Leading in familiar songs of peace were Phyllis Dodd and Rusty Curling. Jeanne Dussault spoke of the Westminster Church’s Peace and Justice Forum, and pastor Rusty Curling and pastor Gabriel Dodd led meditations.
Dussault outlined the work of the Carroll County Interfaith Alliance for Racial Justice that was formed after attending a workshop on Kingian Nonviolence.
Currently, 14 area churches host workshops for racial healing, raise awareness of the need for racial justice in Maryland, donate funds to other advocacy groups such as the local NAACP, and offer a scholarship to people pursuing studies in peace and justice. The needs this year are greater because of the re-establishment of a Klu Klux Klan group in Carroll County and the edicts of DOGE vs. DEI in local institutions receiving federal funds.
Group sharing of some written responses via five “Imagination Stations” dealt with our questions, worries, experiences, and hope for a better world. One participant ventured that perhaps a private/public bank could be established to help citizens purchase and renovate houses. Another mentioned the Mother’s Day project of the Global Women’s Project to honor women leaders and fund at least five developing country income-generating projects (in the areas of sewing, honey gathering, and agriculture). Dodd is presenting workshops about immigration, deportations, and politics today and is interviewing friends to write a book about the life of peacemaker Dale Aukerman. Many have participated in rallies and peaceful marches against the repression introduced by federal politics.
The afternoon closed with guided meditation and anointing for continuing God’s work in peacemaking.
To receive more information about future actions, contact Phyllis Dodd at pydodd@gmail.com or Jeanne Dussault at woodwrth@comcast.net
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Find more Church of the Brethren news:
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- Review and Evaluation Committee begins its work
- Worship resources are available for Service Sunday on Feb. 1
- Loretta Wolf and Glenna Thompson conclude their work with the Material Resources program
- Pat Marsh to retire from the Church of the Brethren Finance office