Honoring the Prince of Peace: Announcing the Formation of a Presbytery Reconciliation Group

As we move into Advent, we rehearse the journey taken by others whose longing for God  led them to yearn for, to seek and to embrace a hope that comes only as a divine act of grace. As we move into Advent, we have revealed to us anew the Divine Presence who dwelled among us, the Incarnate of God, Restorer of Israel, Bringer of the Reign of God’s Shalom, the Prince of  Peace: Jesus.

What does it mean for you to yearn for, seek and embrace a hope that comes only through Jesus? While I will applaud each of us who are willing to reflect upon this question as an individual, family, congregation or society, I would like to share with you a response from within the presbytery that seeks to follow the path of Jesus as the Prince of Peace: the Presbytery Reconciliation Group.

In response to God’s call to a ministry of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18), a Reconciliation Group (RG) is being formed. In an era of much unrest, this ministry is long overdue; it is my hope that it may serve as a reflection of the Prince of Peace, for whom we yearn this Advent season.

The purpose of the RG is to serve at the discretion of the COM as a resource for congregations experiencing conflict either within their own church system or within the Presbytery as well as to provide education in relational reconciliation to the Presbytery as a whole.

The formation of the RG will result in a group of highly trained, committed mediators who are equipped to reduce anxiety in high conflict situations leading to the long-term resolution of conflict. The training will begin with a week-long workshop titled “Mediation Skills Training Institute” led by the Lombard-Mennonite Peace Center on March 7-11, 2016 in Dallas, TX. In addition to the training, the RG will meet on a monthly basis to share experiences and knowledge in the mediation of conflicts as well as to support each other in their growth as mediators. The members of the RG will be expected to commit a minimum of five years to the group, to meet on a monthly basis and to maintain a position of neutrality within the groups they are assisting.

If you sense that you may be called to serve in this ministry, please contact Brad Munroe or Carolyn McBurney at the Presbytery office. There is a five question application to be filled out, which will then be reviewed by the Nominating committee in consultation with members of COM and the RG coordinating team.

Blessed to be a part of you,

Brad