The biblical vision of shalom, we believe, is God’s dream for the world. God desires a world that is safe for everyone, a place of peace and justice and healing, a place where no one would harm another, a place where the love of God would be experienced as compassion and generosity. Empathy, respect, trust, humility, gentleness, forgiveness – all of this and more are part of the vision of shalom. And God’s desire is for all people to live together in community in this spirit of shalom.

A shalom community would challenge the spirit of domination in this world and call people to work for justice and peace. It would stand against war and violence of any kind, teaching people how to nonviolently resist “the powers that be” to stand with the poor, vulnerable, and oppressed people of this world. It would challenge the economic, military, political, and religious systems of our time that create an increasing disparity between the rich and the poor. It would stand against intolerance, arrogance, hatred, abuse and everything else that causes harm to people who often cannot stand up for themselves.

Anyone whose heart and soul agrees with this vision and wants to be part of a community committed to making the vision a reality in our world would be welcome to participate in the life of the community. Shalom Community groups will meet at Labyrinth House and be started to meet specific needs in people’s lives. Contact Jimmy or Joy for more information.

TO READ ABOUT PEACEMAKING

Ed Friedman.

    Generation to Generation: Family Process in Church & Synagogue (Guilford, 1985)