August 17, 2009

ELGIN, IL – What if Jesus met Gandhi? At a youth group? In Pennsylvania? It would be Agape-Satyagraha!

Young people do not need to read the "Wall Street Journal" to know that society is dealing with a deepening economic depression. They get the news at home by reading the anxiety of their parents. And it trickles down! Internalizing this, some kids begin to lash out in anger or turn to bullying at school. Others seek a sense of belonging and safety by joining gangs.

Where do kids go to be safe? How can they feel safe amid this stress? When do they learn to deal with anger?

In Harrisburg, Pa., it is at the Agape-Satyagraha program initiated by Brethren Community Ministries, a program of First Church of the Brethren with leadership from Gerald Rhoades, who serves on the church's pastoral team.

On Earth Peace recently began partnering with the ministry, and hopes to help other congregations across the denomination replicate it in their own communities. On Earth Peace is a Church of the Brethren agency working in peacemaking and peace education.

What is Agape-Satyagraha? The word agape is a Greek word used in the New Testament to describe the love Jesus commanded that his followers have for one another. Satyagraha is a Sanskrit word popularized by Mahatma Gandhi to describe nonviolent resistance that supports justice without eliminating the oppressor.

The program in Harrisburg teaches youth how to recognize and respond to their own feelings, how to respond to others in positive ways other than violence, and how to turn the other cheek. Agape-Satyagraha offers a five-level peace training equipping youth with skills for daily life and long-term development as community leaders.

Adults call this conflict resolution and transformation skills. But Agape-Satyagraha sounds way cooler! It is making peace hip (and hop) for a new generation, offering hope for youth during this economic downturn.

The Shumaker Family Foundation has made a challenge grant of $12,500 to On Earth Peace to support the Agape-Satyagraha program.

For more information go to http://www.onearthpeace.org/ or contact Marie Rhoades at peace- ed@onearthpeace.org, or 717-867-1902.

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 some 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.

Newsline: Church of the Brethren News Service
This release was provided by Gimbiya Kettering, communications staff for On Earth Peace.