Interpersonal Peace-Making: Practicing Peace with One Another

​As Quakers we believe there is that of God in each of us. Yet that is only a starting point. Each of us is capable of behavior that harms others. Holding another person accountable for their behavior is a gift. God calls us to notice harms and respond, to speak Truth with love.

​Who makes justice? It is not something we can relegate to the legal system alone. It is a shared task of the whole community to create an atmosphere in which persons feel safe to speak.

​— Marie Fortune

​We are not led to be peacemakers in one situation and to be violent in the next. The Spirit lays upon us both the burden of being peacemakers in all life situations, and also provides the means to lighten the load

​—Lake Erie Yearly Meeting

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​Queries

• ​How do I practice peace and justice at home and in community?

• ​What makes truth difficult?

• ​Do I hold Friends accountable for hurtful behavior?

• ​Do I know how to make amends when I have hurt someone?

• ​What nourishes the seeds of violence among Friends?

• ​How am I an instrument of reconciliation and love?

​Workshop Details

​We will begin with worship and grounding practices to be present in our bodies and connected to Spirit as we may explore tender topics. We will learn together how we hold difficult Truths, how to listen and speak with love while holding each other accountable. There will be time for reflections on what was shared, and opportunity for gathered Friends to share responses to queries.

​Schedule (in eastern time)

• ​1pm opening worship, grounding,
  creating space for mutual accompaniment

• ​2ish break for lunch, dinner, snack (optional fellowship)

• ​2:30ish exploring queries 
  with time for sharing  and discussion

• ​4:30 closing

​This workshop is offered by Life & Power: Quaker Discernment on Abuse. Healthy conflict is not abuse. We are better able to notice and address abuse when we are grounded in Spirit and practiced in speaking difficult truths. If we can embrace healthy conflict, then we have a foundation for interrupting and healing from the harms of abuse.

​This project is supported in part by a grant from the Salem Quarter Funds administered by the Gifts Committee of  New England Yearly Meeting.