February 2, 2009

ELGIN, IL – "You Can't Stop the River: Community Change for Congregations" is and event offered on April 2-5 in Kansas City, Kan., by On Earth Peace and hosted by First Central Church of the Brethren, in conjunction with the Kansas City Metropolitan Parish Council. The theme scripture comes from Rev. 22, "Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life...."

The event is billed for congregations concerned about community issues such as gun violence, domestic violence, racism, or loss of employment. The meeting will offer help to build skills and confidence for community leadership, explore the history of community change initiatives and nonviolence struggles, and prepare plans for what happens next in the community.

Only three to seven congregations will be identified as participants, and each congregation will be invited to send a team of three people. On Earth Peace is making the event available for a $50 materials fee plus a participant offering. Housing and food will be provided by the host church, through space on the church's carpeted floor and home stays with church members. For $40 per night participants can reserve a bed at a nearby Christian retreat center. Participants are responsible for their own travel costs.

Congregations may apply by writing a one-page letter telling the congregation's story, describing the team the congregation will send the event, and sharing why the congregation wants to take part. Each team is to ask its church leadership for a letter of blessing, to show support from the congregation for the knowledge and skills the team will bring home from the training. The application deadline is Feb. 16.

For more information contact Matt Guynn at mguynn@onearthpeace.org or call 503-775-1636.

The Church of the Brethren is a Christian denomination committed to continuing the work of Jesus peacefully and simply, and to living out its faith in community. The denomination is based in the Anabaptist and Pietist faith traditions and is one of the three Historic Peace Churches. It celebrated its 300th anniversary in 2008. It counts more than 125,000 members across the United States and Puerto Rico, and has missions and sister churches in Nigeria, Brazil, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, and India.

Church of the Brethren News Service