Camp’s mission statement says we offer people the opportunity to fellowship in “serenity”. Serenity literally means “clear skies” — a state of refuge from the storms of the World. Right now, our World does feel pretty stormy with a divided country going into an election and numerous disasters and conflicts abroad and at home. Because of this, I thought, “Camp should do something to help people find fellowship and serenity in this season.” That’s the genesis of our new Zoom/Webinar series Prince of Peace: Jesus and Peacebuilding from the Election to the Holidays.
In this series, we’ll talk about real, practical, Jesus-inspired strategies for peacebuilding in your life, relationships, and communities — at a time when it’s needed most. Things are likely to be wild during this election (they kind of already are), and followers of Jesus have a opportunity to work for peace in this season…if we are willing to learn from his Kingdom principles and peacebuilding practices.
In each session, we’ll dive into a different aspect of this peacebuilding work. Don’t worry: we’re NOT going to focus on issues, political agendas, or candidates — there’s plenty of that going on already. We WILL focus on what we can do to promote peace, love, and Kingdom outcomes in our life spheres. Interested? Use the form below to sign-up and you’ll get an invite a few days before each event. Want to know more? Scroll down the page for details on each session.
Schedule and Sessions
Releasing and Loving “The Other Side” | 10/24 7PM EST
This session will explore what we do with those in our lives who see things differently — even very differently. We will do this using a paradigm from missions and peacebuilding of committing people to Jesus and releasing them so we can truly love them. We’ll talk with MCC Peace Educator Nathan Toews about Peace Practices and how to use them in our lives, relationships, and organizations. In this session: How I helped start a anti-vax, anti-masking, pro-conspiracy church during COVID though I’m non of those things. What the Native American Two-Rows Wampum (Gaswéñdah) teaches about inter-generational / inter-cultural / inter-modal. Does Jesus teaching on Old and New Wine in Luke 5 give us a model? Can we look to Paul’s teaching in Romans 14 for an example? How the mission concept of distinguishing between planting seeds and trees could help. Plus resources for using the Peace Practices where you are.
From Inner Peace to the Holiday Table | 11/14 7PM EST
When the people around us challenge our peace, it requires us to draw on something deeper in order to continue extending the hospitality required by the Gospel. We’ll talk with Jason Storbakken of Brooklyn Peace Center / Manhattan Mennonite Fellowship about his lifestyle of radical hospitality and how he uses practices that nurture inner peace so he can continue to welcome others. In this session: Why a painful Thanksgiving conversation at my Uncle’s house made me stop going and what I wish I would have known then. The connection between peacebuilding inwardly and outwardly. The insight from James 4 about the internal origin of conflict. How Jesus connected the inward work of the Holy Spirit and his gift of peace in John 14. Plus resources for building your own inner peace for hospitality.
Pain and Need Aren’t Partisan | 12/5 7PM EST
Sometimes people seem so different from us, we automatically assume we can’t connect. Or, we tried to connect on some level, but it quickly became way too complicated. These experiences and the messages broadcast on conventional and social media against people like us are designed to create a deep anxiety about our relevance and make us feel alienated from those who Jesus wants us to reach with his peace. In truth, the old maxim remains true: people will care how much you know when they know how much you care. In this session: The surprising secret of the most successful evangelist I ever knew. How I learned the art of chill with young people with whom I had almost nothing in common. The Dual Boot Metaphor: how we can connect with anyone on two levels: basic human experiences and universal needs. How Jesus encounter with the woman at the well is a map for connecting with others. How Jesus surprising method in Luke 9 insures successful connections. Plus ideas for making peace connections on these levels in your sphere.
Peace Making Presents | 12/19 7PM EST
Advent celebrates the central fact that God began building peace with us by giving a Gift. Following this example, gifts are a powerful tool for peacebuilding in our lives, relationships, and organizations. We’ll explore how gifts — of empathy, time, attention, and material things — can transform situations and hearts. In this session: Giving Across Someone’s Story: how a simple secret about unexpected gifts can be used to open up space for peace and transformation. The surprising context of Jesus’ Luke 16 advice to use wealth to build relationships and its connection to his advice about living stress-free. A mini-workshop on gift ideas for those we want to impact with peace. Plus a special gift from Camp to you.
A Little History
During the “Triple Crisis” that occurred around the 2020 election cycle — the COVID19 Pandemic, George Floyd / Black Lives Matter / MeToo, and the January 6 Turmoil — Ken and Kevin put out a series of essays on Race and Diversity. Race is a sub-text for many people in the current election, whether in the controversy over DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) efforts and Critical Race Theory in businesses, schools, and government; the authenticity of certain candidates racial identity; or the debate about Immigration Policy. These short essays layout some of Camp’s story and position and offer some helpful thoughts on what Peacebuilding looks like, and can be applied beyond issues of race to consider diversity in political thought and social issues.
2020 Essays on Race and Diversity | Start with Essay 1: Whose Side Are You On?
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Reflection on 33 Years of Service
Ken Bontrager has been away from Camp for a few months now enjoying semi-retirement in Florida. He spent a bit of this time happily mowing a golf course while he reflected on his time in New York. Ken will be back with us at Homecoming on September 7. We’ll have a special time to connect…
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