Just weeks away from the presidential election, the US feels incredibly tense and polarized. These tensions show up in our families and communities as well as in the news and national politics. Moments of conflict are often scary to us because we fear the battle these “tricky topics” might spark. But it doesn’t have to be this way. Join us for this introductory experiential workshop on the basics of dialogue.

Ron Kraybill’s “Cycle of Reconciliation” suggests that reconciliation, rather than erasing the past, is a long-lasting process that goes through several stages. One of the steps in this cycle is “reclaiming identity,” a deeply significant step in moving people past the addiction to or repetition of violence and retaliation. But as people who work at the intersection of conflict and difference, we ourselves can at times get caught up in crossfire. Join us as Jonny Clark of Corrymeela leads us through some self reflection on reclaiming our identity and how we look after ourselves as peace builders.

The war in Gaza has been going on for almost a full year. At Peace Catalyst, we believe that God’s mission is to build a holistic and just peace and that our calling as Christians is to follow Jesus in the work of peacebuilding. That includes peacebuilding in the context of Israel and Palestine. On this call our peacebuilders will be talking about what the Church should be learning/doing and how everyday people can be engaged.

So many of today's struggles and conflicts can seem overwhelming and intractable. Often, our instinct is to make these conflicts simply go away by ignoring them, giving up what we care about, or fighting to destroy the other side. At Peace Catalyst, we believe the Bible shows us a deep and transformative view of working for reconciliation in the midst of painful conflict. Join us for an introductory workshop on how to build holistic, biblical peace in the midst of conflict.

How are our identities related to dignity and inherent worth? How are violations of dignity at the root of conflict? And how can identities be weaponized by leaders to create divisions and conflict? In this interactive workshop, held on the International Day of Peace, we’ll explore the complex interplay between our identities and the conflicts we face. With the U.S. election on the horizon, grappling with how our identities shape political discourse and "identity politics" has never been more important.

This free lecture by Prof. Drew J. Strait will unpack key concepts and insights from his new book, Strange Worship: Six Steps for Challenging Christian Nationalism. In addition to defining Christian nationalism, Strait will discuss how it is impacting global faith communities and how faith leaders can challenge its threats to democracies and human flourishing with strategic nonviolence.

We all have visions of what a "good" society might look like. But how do we get started with turning that vision into reality? Join us for this workshop to learn the three steps our team members use to build peace in our own communities and how you can use them to become a community peacebuilder where you are.

Experiences of harm and trauma are intricately linked to cycles of conflict as people strive to satisfy unmet needs for safety, justice, and well-being. Unfortunately, our experiences of faith (including Christianity) can also contribute to spiritual, emotional, and psychological forms of harm when our faith promotes rigid us-vs-them binaries and install fear and distrust of the “other.” During our September CPN meeting, Mirela Popaja-Hadžić will offer insights from her personal journey about how our work to heal our own trauma and overcome fear-based theologies can empower us to build healthier and mutually transformative relationships as part of God’s mission to heal all things.

Jesus trained his followers to be peacemakers and reconcilers who love their neighbors and enemies. Peacebuilders like that Jesus! At the same time, Jesus also called Peter the rock upon which “I will build my church” (Mt 16:18), and the Bible connects following Jesus with being part of the body of Christ and the church (cf. Eph 1:22-23). This brings up a point of tension, because some peacebuilders have become exasperated and frustrated with "church" because of experiences or church hurt or understanding about the many ways Christianity and churches have contributed to harm. Can the "church" become a peacebuilding presence engaged in the work for and toward holistic just peace (shalom/eirene) or is “church” an endless source of exasperation?

In a time of unimaginable violence in the Middle East, how can the church imagine a future reconciliation? What wisdom can Christians gain from Jewish, Muslim, and Middle Eastern Christian concepts of justice? Join us for this conversation with Palestinian Christian Salim Munayer about his latest book, Reconciling Justice: Concepts of Justice in the Multireligious Context of Palestine/Israel. We’ll be talking about justice in each of the three Abrahamic faiths and how it relates specifically to the Palestinian/Israeli context today. We’ll end with a time of audience Q&A.

Join us for a conversation with Palestinian pastor Rev. Dr. Munther Isaac and local Twin Cities clergy and racial justice activists about liberation and solidarity across borders, the connection and injustice in the US, Palestine, and beyond, and the moral obligation of the church to advocate for and work alongside those oppressed by state violence both locally and abroad.

How has poetry or art influenced your imagination and understanding of justice, peace, and the Kingdom of God? If you’re a practicing Christian peacebuilder, join us for this online call to hear from David Katibah (from Telos) and to talk about this question and more.

What are the challenges and obstacles we experience as peacebuilders working from the margins, and how do we navigate them? And how can experiences of marginalization equip and empower us in our work? If you’re a practicing Christian peacebuilder, join us for this online call to talk together and learn from each other about these questions and more.

What liberative moments have you personally experienced or seen in your community when people were freed from oppressive theologies that were doing harm? And how are you attentive to theological unlearning and relearning in your peacebuilding formation work with Christians? If you’re a practicing Christian peacebuilder, join us for this online call to talk together and learn from each other about these questions and more.

How do we walk with one another meaningfully across cultures and continents in the work of peace? What considerations must we prioritize to show up effectively as allies one with another? If you’re a practicing Christian peacebuilder, join us for this online call to talk together and learn from each other about these questions and more.

DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER, THE MARCH 30TH WALK IS NOW HAPPENING APRIL 6. Gaza Ceasefire Pilgrimage is a global network of 40 + autonomous Christian groups (including Peace Catalyst) who are engaging in a peaceful and prayerful show of solidarity with the people of Gaza by walking the length of the Gaza strip in cities around the world during Lent. Walks are happening in over 100 cities in 15 countries, and we’re hosting a walk in San Diego on March 30th.

Gaza Ceasefire Pilgrimage is a global network of 40 + autonomous Christian groups (including Peace Catalyst) who are engaging in a peaceful and prayerful show of solidarity with the people of Gaza by walking the length of the Gaza strip in cities around the world during Lent. Walks are happening in over 100 cities in 15 countries, and we’re hosting a walk in Minneapolis/St. Paul on March 23rd.

Gaza Ceasefire Pilgrimage is a global network of 40 + autonomous Christian groups (including Peace Catalyst) who are engaging in a peaceful and prayerful show of solidarity with the people of Gaza by walking the length of the Gaza strip in cities around the world during Lent. Walks are happening in over 100 cities in 15 countries, and we’re co-hosting a walk in Davis, California on March 23rd.

Are you signed up for the Pilgrimage and want to know how to prepare? Are you considering it, but still have questions? Join us on March 16 for a virtual orientation and info session.

Join us and the American Turkish Friendship Association as we break the Ramadan fast together in Louisville, KY!

Where have you become complicit with generational divisions in your work, and what work do you need to do to bridge that divide? In your peacebuilding work, how can you concretely empower youth leadership and create platforms and space for youth voices? If you’re a practicing Christian peacebuilder, join us for this online call to talk together and learn from each other about these questions and more.

What critical moments of unlearning and relearning have you experienced as part of your peacebuilding journey, and what kind of support do you provide for other people going through processes of unlearning and relearning? If you’re a practicing Christian peacebuilder, join us for this online call to talk together and learn from each other about these questions and more.

What’s the most impactful way to get Christians involved and meaningfully engaged in peacebuilding? What theory of change are you using to affect change in your wider community? If you’re a practicing Christian peacebuilder, join us for this online call to talk together about these questions and more.

How has colonialism impacted the way we engage in peace work, and how should we change our posture or approach? Join us for this online call to talk together about these questions and more.