From Wednesday evening through Saturday afternoon I participated in the spring meeting of the Steering Committee of Christian Peacemaker Teams in Chicago. (Thanks to Michael for the stimulating commentaries he wrote those days.) There are currently 16 members of the committee. The meeting was attended also by some 10 people who are Support Team (staff) and CPT Corps members (workers.) I represent ECAPC on the steering committee; others represent denominations, peace fellowships or are members at large. We discussed and decided questions of program in Colombia, Iraq, Palestine (Hebron) and Grassy Narrows, Ontario (which project is currently closing for lack of workers, but relationships will continue). We looked at fund raising, budget, recruitment of workers and training. We planned for board self-education in racism, sexism and discussion of gender relationships, and healing of broken relationships within the organization. Every Church A Peace Church could seek closer ties and working relationships with CPT. There is a sense in which CPT is the action focus of work to do kingdom work, and ECAPC is the reflection focus. I encourage readers of this page to learn more about CPT by going to the website, and looking at ways to be involved in active peacemaking the there. First, you are invited to particpate in delegations to places of violent confrontation, where you will in informed of the situation, meet people, and bring home a voice for nonviolent action. On the CPT home page www.cpt.org/ , click on "delegations" under "participate." A second way to particpate is coming in September, when ECAPC particpates with CPT and Mennonite, Brethren and Friends in sponsoring a conference in Indianapolis, Indiana, titled Seeking Peace: The Courage to be Nonviolent. The information on that conference is shown on our EVENTS page http://www.ecapc.org/scheddetail.asp?control=48 and at the center of the CPT home page. So, acquaint yourself and tell others about these specific ways to engage in active peacemaking. -- John Stoner
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