"Living Peace" is Winter Peace Retreat Theme in Pocono Mountains

Leo Hartshorn
minister of peace and justice
Mennonite Mission Network

"The thing that strengthens us for our peace work is our worship of God," Susan Mark Landis, peace advocate with the Executive Leadership Office of MC USA stated at a recent peace retreat in the snow- covered Pocono mountains. Susan's reflections on a spirituality for peacemaking were shared at the Eastern District and Franconia Mennonite Conference Peace and Justice Committee's annual winter peace retreat held on February 11-13 at the Spruce Lake Retreat Center. The theme for the adult sessions was "Living Peace." Susan Mark Landis, who led the adult sessions, also leads the MC USA work for peace advocacy, serves as staff with the Peace and Justice Support Network, publishes the e-zine "PeaceSigns," coordinates the Student Aid Fund for Nonregistrants, and serves on Christian Peacemaker Team's Steering Committee and the Executive Board's anti-racism team.

At the peace retreat Susan advocated a spirituality for the long haul of peacemaking. She led those gathered in reflecting on their spirituality journey since 9/11, shared practical ideas on working at living peacefully, had participants engage in conflict resolution role plays, and offered some worship practices that sustain Christians for their work of peacemaking. Titus Peachey, director of peace education for Mennonite Central Committee U.S., led the youth sessions on "Faith, Youth, and the Military." Material for the sessions was drawn from the new DVD and study guide "Thermostat," an MCC resource for youth on war, peace, and Christian conscience (www.mcc.org/thermostat), which Titus helped produce. The youth sessions involved role plays, small group discussion, Bible study, video clips, and question and answer times.