Visit from CPT founding director in January and CPT recruiting Peacemaker Corps members in Europe for training in June 2009
-
Christian Peacemaker Teams is a program of Brethren, Quaker and Mennonite Churches and other Christians that support nonviolence. CPT was formed in the U.S. in 1992 with the mission of "getting in the way" of violence in conflict areas. They currently have teams in Colombia, the West Bank, Iraq, Arizona (U.S.), and Ontario (Canada). CPT UK represents the efforts of CPT members and friends around the United Kingdom to support one another in peacemaking work and work towards an eventual CPT training in the UK.
Visit the Christian Peacemaker Teams UK site at
www.cptuk.org.uk
Christian Peacemaker Teams is recruiting Peacemaker Corps applicants for a training to take place in the United Kingdom in 2009. The training could include people from all over Europe. For the training—the first that CPT will conduct outside North America—CPT needs ten applicants by January 2009.
Members of the full-time corps commit to a three-year term of active peacemaking in situations of conflict and crisis around the world. Reserve Corps members are available to serve for periods of two to twelve weeks a year for three years. Corps members engage in public witness, nonviolent direct action, negotiation, conflict transformation, human rights reporting, accompaniment, and regular periods of worship and prayer.
The trainings incorporate a kaleidoscope of role-plays, small group exercises, presentations, and the acquisition of practical technical skills. Days are long and full. Every training includes one or two public witness events. While CPT staff members provide overall coordination of the training, a variety of trainers with significant experience in active peacemaking are brought in to facilitate the different training modules.
"It's exciting to feel the momentum building, and see this dream of a European training transform into a reality," says Dora-Marie Goulet, a London-based organizer. "And it's reassuring to know that God is working through the process, so that whether the training goes forwards or not, the ultimate work of building the kingdom is still being brought about."
Application instructions for the UK training are available at http://www.cpt.org/participate/peacemaker/apply.
In other news, pioneering Christian peace activist, organizer and director emeritus of Christian Peacemaker Teams, Gene Stoltzfus will be in the UK this January, speaking to groups around the UK about nonviolent intervention in situations of conflict and injustice.
16 January, 7:30pm - Sustaining Spirit, Body & Mind for Long Term, Disciplined Peacemaking
Friends’ Meeting House, 43 St. Giles, OXFORD, tel: 018 6555 7373
17 January, 3:00pm - Case Studies - Peacemakers in the Midst of War
Friends' Meeting House, South Terrace, HASTINGS, tel: 014 2443 7820
18 January, 2:15pm - How can we regain a sense of compassion in the face of the frustrations of activism?
London Islamic Network for the Environment, at 14 Shepherds Hill, LONDON, tel: 0845 456 3960
18 January, 7:30pm - Invitation to Global Peacemaking
Cheap Street Church Hall, Cheap Street, SHERBORNE, email: l.docksey at yahoo.co.uk
19 January, 7:30pm - Following the Call to Peacemaking: the experience of Christian Peacemaker Teams
The Friary Church Hall, Crawley Town Centre, Hasslett Avenue, CRAWLEY tel: 0129 354 2853
20 January TBC READING
21 January, 2:00pm TBC BRADFORD
21 January TBC LEEDS
22 January, 6:30pm - Peacemaking and Anger
St. Ethelburga’s, 78, Bishopsgate, LONDON, EC2N 4AG, tel: 020 7496 1610
23 January, 6:30pm - Does Nonviolence Work?
Friends’ Meeting House, Hill Street, COVENTRY, CV1 4AN, tel: 024 7667 8735
24 January, 9:30am - A Peacemaking Vision
London Mennonite Centre, 14 Shepherds Hill, LONDON, N6 5AQ, tel: 0845 450 0214
25 January TBC DUBLIN
26 January, 7:00pm - Does Nonviolence work in this Century?
Bishop Lloyd's Palace, 51-53 Watergate Row, CHESTER, CH1 2LE, tel: 0759 003 1388
27 January, 7:00pm -
Friends’ Meeting House, Dean Street, BANGOR, email: mail at bangorpeace.co.uk
28 January, 7:00pm - Following the Call to Peacemaking: The Experience of Christian Peacemaker Teams
Evesham Methodist Church, Bridge St, WR11 4SF, EVESHAM, email: gematthews at tiscali.co.uk
29 January, 7:00pm - Case Study: Peacemakers in the Midst of War - Iraq
Quaker Meeting House Bean street, HULL, HU3 2PR, tel: 079 5292 8829
30 January -
The Christian Centre, Glebe Street, FALKIRK, tel: 013 2471 6231
31 January, 2:00pm - Bending Our Lives to Active Peacemaking
Bull Street Meeting House, 40 Bull Street, BIRMINGHAM, B4 6AF, forbesbarbarae at yahoo.co.uk
For more information on the training or the speaking tour, please contact cpt.unitedkingdom at gmail.com