Conference and AGM 2021 once again online

From 2 -5 September 2021, We will meet online for the AGM, for thematic inputs and discussion on the topic “Images of God and Nonviolence” and for encounters and exchange.

Cordial invitation to the 2021 International Conference and Annual General Meeting of Church and Peace!

‘And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus’ (Philippians 4:7)

Images of God and Nonviolence

2–5 September 2021

Church and Peace as Europe-wide ecumenical network is united by the peace church witness, the call to non-violence,which is at the centre of the Gospel.

This year, we are exploring the relation between Images of God and Nonviolence. We will be asking ourselves questionsabout the (widespread patriarchal) image of God:

  • Is there a direct relationship between the image of God and the promotion of violence or nonviolence?
  • Which images of God promote nonviolence?
  • Has peace theology overcome the patriarchal image of God?

Also we ask ourselves personally:

  • What image of God do I have? How do I talk about and with God?
  • How does this shape my commitment to peace?
  • What understanding of God is expressed in the liturgical language and tradition of my community?
  • How does it aff ect the structures of our communities?
  • How we contribute to our groups, communities and churches developing a (gender) just theology of peace, a just(liturgical) language and attitudes?

We (also) consider the conference theme to be a contribution to engage with the UN Security Council Resolution 1325 andlater resolutions in the context of the Women, Peace and Security agenda. These call for more protection for women fromsexual and gender-based violence in confl ict situations, promotion of political participation of women, prevention ofviolence against women through the promotion of women’s rights and gender equality, as well as gender mainstreamingin all areas related to peace and security.

In workshops we will address and deepen individual aspects.

Venue: online via Zoom 

Registration: Please register by 29 August 2021 via the registration form! You will receive the access details shortly before the event.

Programme

Please note: the times are given in Central European Time, GMT+2

Interpretation will be available for English, German and French

Thursday, 2 September 2021

19:30 h : Virtual Encounters

Meet each other as if you were arriving, in the conference room or at a meal.

You can move your mouse around the virtual room and form a circle with one or more people to talk to each other. 

Friday, 3 September 2021

15:00 - 21:00h : Annual General Meeting

The members received the invitation to the Annual General Meeting.

15-16:30 h: Session 1 

17-18:30 h: Session 2

19:30-21 h: Session 3

Saturday, 4 September 2021

10:00 - 10:45h : ‘I am who I am...’ - Images of God and (Non)violence

We start into the day with a morning prayer and will hear fom Maria Biedrawa and Antje Heider-Rottwilm on “‘I am who I am…’ – Images of God and (Non)violence“

11:00 - 12:30h : Workshops Session 1

In workshops we will address and deepen individual aspects.

Workshop 1

Blessed in God’s Image: Radical Equality of Men and Women in Genesis 1–2

Renato Lings, Ph.D., from Malaga, author of ‘Love Lost in Translation: Homosexuality and the Bible’, will explain in his workshop the radical equality of men and women on the basis of Genesis 1 and 2.

Original language: English with interpretation

Workshop 2

Images of God – Nonviolence – Language

Marie-Noëlle Yoder, Mennonite Pastor and teacher for practical theology and ethics at the centre de Formation Bienenberg, will discuss the connections between language, images of God and nonviolence.

Original language: French with interpretation

Workshop 3

Patriarchy, Sexism and the Churches

The German-Dutch nun and peace activist Yosé Höhne-Sparborth has decades of experience with body-oriented, pastoral work with traumatized people in Europe, Latin America, and Iraq and thus with mechanisms of remembrance that prevent reconciliation. She offers a workshop on the connection between power, sexism and patriarchy.

Original language: German with interpretation

12:45 - 13:00h : Midday Prayer

We gather for a Midday prayer before the lunch break.

15:00 - 16:30h : Workshops Session 2

In workshops we will address and deepen individual aspects.

Workshop 4

Anti Racism: From Awareness to Action

Revd. Beverly Thomas, who has been conducting race awareness training for thirty years, especially in Christian churches in Great Britain, will raise awareness of the connections between power, patriarchy and racism.

Original language: English with interpretation

Workshop 5

Thursdays in Black – International Campaign against Genderbased Violence

For heaven’s sake … let’s end SGBV  – a faith-full invitation to join in the campaign to end sexual and gender based violence. The session includes biblical and contemporary reflection around addressing the root causes and stemming the impact of SGBV within our spheres of influence. With Revd. Nicole Ashwood, World Council of Churches programme executive for a Just Community of Women and Men.

Original language: English with interpretation

17:00 - 18:30h : Workshops Session 3

In workshops we will address and deepen individual aspects.

Workshop 6

Sexualised Violence in Christian Communities

It has become frighteningly clear that sexualised violence also occurs in communities that have emerged from the search for a credible peace theology and practice. The question as to why the image of God, the (peace) theology, and the structures of these intentional communities have not prevented assaults and to what extent also in theology and church a separation between person and their work is possible will be addressed in this workshop with Maria Biedrawa, therapist, Catholic peace deacon and former member of L’Arche (Jean Vanier).

Original language: French with interpretation

Workshop 7

Violence against Women and Feminist Theolgy

This workshop with Lana Bobić, a Croatian theologian and activist, will focus on feminist theology.

Original language: English with interpretation

Workshop 8

Identity and peace building

We ground our identity on our different senses of belonging (religious, social, ethnic…). In a conflict situation, the sense of belonging that is most under attack defines us the most. Identity then becomes a simplified and divisive label, where each group claims to be the sole holder of the image of God.

Salomé Haldemann (pastor) and Ophélie Nartz (transcultural speech therapist) invite us to reflect and share on the question of identity and its implications for peace building.

Original language: French with interpretation

ab 20:00h : Virtual Encounters

Meet each other as if you were arriving, in the conference room or at a meal.

You can move your mouse around the virtual room and form a circle with one or more people to talk to each other. 

Sunday, 5 September 2021

10:00 - 11:00h : Ecumenical Worship

Sermon: Rev. Nicole Ashwood, World Council of Churches programme executive for a Just Community of Women and Men

11:00 - 12:00h : Conclusion

We will review the past days, listen to what is still resonating and discuss plans for the future.