11/9/06

BLUFFTON, Ohio-On Nov. 3-4, Bluffton University welcomed 65 school-aged children to its campus for Celebration of Peace: Making a Difference, a two-day conference for students in grades 3-8. Students from five states gathered to learn how they could impact their homes, schools, local communities and the world through their attitudes and actions. The event was sponsored by the Bluffton University church relations office, The Lion and Lamb Peace Arts Center of Bluffton University and Mennonite Central Committee/Great Lakes, and was held in conjunction with the peace arts center's 20th anniversary of teaching peace.

Louise Matthews, director of The Lion and Lamb, had great expectations for the conference. "I hoped this conference could give children a broad view of peace and how peace can be reflected in their lives," said Matthews. "It was an opportunity to encourage children to make positive choices that make the world a better place."

The conference began Friday evening with opening activities that included storytelling by Joyce Schumacher, Bluffton University director of alumni, parent and church relations, and a scripture application by Janet Schumacher, a regional associate for Mennonite Central Committee, focusing on the weekend's message of peace. Students brought supplies to provide school kits for children around the world as an application of compassion reflected in the story and scripture.

On Saturday, students participated in a variety of activities, including a children's choir directed by Hal Hess, a retired music teacher from Cincinnati, Ohio; "Drumming for Peace" led by Leo Hartshorn, a minister of peace and justice with the Mennonite Mission Network; and visual art projects led by local community members.

Wendell Badertscher, past Central District Conference youth minister, led the children in an activity called "Building Bridges." Students worked together to build a bridge over an imaginary river using only newspaper, tape and string. The activity's goal was to show how communities that would otherwise not have contact with each other could come together through cooperation and communication. In addition, four Bluffton University international students led children in traditional songs, games and dances from each of the student's home countries of Albania, Palestine, Indonesia and Nigeria.

The conference ended with a closing program in Yoder Recital Hall, presented to students' families, friends and community members. Dr. Elizabeth "Libby" Hostetler, founder of The Lion and Lamb, welcomed the audience and shared the inspiration for her peace efforts. The students performed songs they had practiced during the day with Hess and drumming they had learned from Hartshorn, with additional storytelling and scriptures included.

Matthews was very pleased with how the event turned out. "This kind of event energizes me and reminds me how children's interests and energy can be channeled in positive ways to give them an experience they won't soon forget," she said. "The peace arts center's collaborative efforts with MCC and Bluffton University church relations office were far above what could have been offered individually."

According to Matthews, the conference received its title from a song written by Joseph Helfrich, a 1987 graduate of Bluffton University. "Joseph composed a song to coincide with The Lion and Lamb's 20th-year activities," she said. "His words, 'I can make the world a better place to be,' call each of us to be actively committed to attitudes and actions that foster peace. It's a challenge and a commitment that is relevant for all of us."

This was the fifth peace-related conference sponsored by The Lion and Lamb; the first was in 1989 and the most recent was in 2000.

Photo 1-Students piece together puzzles of the world.

Photo 2-Students learn to "drum for peace" with Leo Hartshorn, a minister of peace and justice with the Mennonite Mission Network.

Photo 3-Under the direction of Hal Hess, the combined choir performs songs learned throughout the conference during the closing program on Saturday evening.

Robert Stutzman, public relations