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Jesus wept over the city of Jerusalem when he spoke those words, "Oh, that you only knew the things that make for peace!" It seems, in the year 2003, we still do not know. How will we learn? If ever we needed to be talking with one another in our congregations, seeking together what God would have us do and be in this world, and how we can be peacemakers, that time is now. We offer this collection of resources in the hope that you may find here a book, video, or curriculum that will facilitate the conversation in your church, and help your members discern what faithful peacemaking means for them. These resources are available through the Ruth Dudley Resource Center. Ruth Dudley Resource CenterConnecticut Conference, UCC 125 Sherman Street Hartford, CT 06105 Toll Free: 1-866-367-2822 or contact us through e-mail: RDRC@ctucc.org The Ruth Dudley Resource Center is a part of the Local Church Ministries Team of the Connecticut Conference, UCC. "You have questions...we have resources!" |
Resources for: [Adults] [Youth] [Children] [Families] [Video] [Related]
And the Earth Lived Happily Ever After: Old and New Traditional Tales to Wage Peace. Floating Eaglefeather, ed. 1985. "We hope this book will give adults stories to tell their children to better enable them to understand our world's need for peace--and will also give adults the impetus to work for a world with better conditions for all children."
Building Peace: Suggestions for Church and Community. By Barton and Dorothy Hunter. A study, discussion, and action guide for church groups.
Christians and Peace. Peace Task Force of the Southern Conference of the United Church of Christ. A study designed to help church groups gain a better understanding of the issues involved in building peace, both inner peace and world peace. Contains 9 lesson plans, each of which can be covered in 45 minutes.
Despair and Personal Power in the Nuclear Age. By Joanna Macy. 1983. "This book is a guide to despair and empowerment work. That term refers to the psychological and spiritual work of dealing with our knowledge and feelings about the present ... crisis in ways that release energy and vision for creative response." Provides over forty exercises for use in groups of all ages.
A Just Peace Church. Susan Thistlethwaite (ed.). 1986. This book represents a beginning theological statement on peace written specifically for the United Church of Christ. It explores the historical situation, and concludes that the present reality demands new theological insight and sensitivity. It ends with suggestions on how the church can transform itself, "A Proposal of Action."
A Moral Response to Terrorism. A study series by the editors of Sojourners magazine. 2001. "Terrorism has been a fact of life for many around the world, but Americans have never felt it so keenly as we did on Sept. 11. The editors of Sojourners have created this study guide to help in our understanding of these events and in the healing of our nation and world. Units include: "The Present Darkness"; "Why Did This Happen"?; "Paths of Love and Justice"; "Is Islam the Enemy?"; and "A Better Way to Fight Terrorism." For use in churches, classrooms, offices, and study circles.
Pastoral Letter on War and Peace "The Challenge of Peace: God's Promise and Our Response. National Conference of Catholic Bishops, May 3, 1983. This Roman Catholic Bishops' letter begins with religious perspectives and principles which are still appropriate for discussion of the current world scene. Also of contemporary interest is the section on "The Pastoral Challenge and Response."
Peace is Possible; A Study/Action Process Guide on Peacemaking. By Shirley J. Heckman. 1982. Eight sessions designed to help people move from Study to Action. Sessions are: "Biblical Images of Peace;" "The Fire Next Time;" "Where Do We Stand?" "What Might we do?" "To Obey or Not to Obey?" "Teaching Peace at Home" "Peace Can Be Taught" "Building Walls or Bridges."
Peacemaking and the Community of Faith. The Fellowship of Reconciliation. This handbook is designed as a guide to those who seek to bring their concern for peace to their local congregation. It is intended to be a practical book: a book of suggestions and a compilation of ideas for worship, education, and action by people and communities of faith.
Peacemaking Tools for Our Congregation. By Carol L. Cory. What can one person do? What can one church do? This packet is intended to give a church group the tools it needs to begin an action program for peacemaking.
Peace Thinking in a Warring World: An Urgent Call for a New Approach to Peace. By Edward LeRoy Long, Jr. This book was published in 1983, when the threat of nuclear war was the focus of much peacemaking effort. But the chapters calling for a new way of thinking about war and peace are as pertinent as ever.
People Waging Peace. By Elizabeth Anne McGuinness. 1988. People Waging Peace is the stories of Americans striving for peace and justice in the world today. These stories are full of drama, inspiration, and practical ideas.
Seeds of Peace: A Catalogue of Quotations. Compiled by Jeanne Larson and Madge Micheels-Cyrus. This books is a good source of quotes about peace for newsletters and bulletins.
Christian High School and Youth Group Planning. From the Institute for Peace and Justice. Guide and Teacher's Manual. A Practical guide for creating a program around the Youth Pledge of Nonviolence.
Educating for a Just Society. Grades 7 - 12. By Kathleen McGinnis. This manual is an attempt to look at peace and justice themes that have a specific domestic focus, the kinds of issues that are rooted in the cultural, political, and economic fiber of U.S. culture and economy. Five of the units (sexism, racism, multicultural education, ageism, and justice for people with disabilities) are aimed specifically at the demands of justice for groups of people who are targets of discrimination.
From Violence to Wholeness. By Ken Butigan and Partricia Bruno. A ten part program in the spirituality and practice of active nonviolence. Highly recommended by the Peace and Justice community. Subjects include: the dynamics of violence, the faithful non-violence of Jesus, violence and gender, reverence for the earth, nonviolence and social transformation, the civil rights movement, and creating communities of nonviolence.
Organizing Packet for YouthPeace. A War Resisters League Campaign promoting nonviolence, justice and an end to the militarization of youth. YouthPeace connects the violence in the streets with military violence around the world and promotes strategies and projects that counter violence wherever it is found. The packet includes a number of folders, including "Teaching for Social Justice," "Coming to Terms with Violence in Our Schools," "Dealing with Racism," "Conflict Resolution in Our Schools," "100 Ways You Can Help Stop Violence," and much more.
A Place at the Table: Struggles for Equality in America. Teaching Tolerance. A text and video teaching package for grades 8 and up. Documentary video looks at the historic struggle for equality in American through the eyes of present-day high school students. Spans 3 centuries to show how individuals and groups have toppled barriers in education, transportation, voting, employment, housing, and other areas to become full participants in the society. Includes book and teacher's guide.
Respecting Our Differences: A Guide to Getting Along in a Changing World. By Lynn Duvall. 1994. One in four Americans has African, Asian, Hispanic, or Native American ancestry. By the year 2050, that number will be one in three. The world is growing more diverse every day. Some young people are responding to change with prejudice, violence, and hate crimes. Others are learning to accept, respect, and celebrate differences. This books helps young people examine their attitudes and beliefs, stereotypes and prejudices.
Teens Acting for Peace (TAP) Resources. From the Institute for Peace and Justice. The Adult Training Manual offers an overview of the TAP Program, expectations for adult and youth participants, strategies for recruiting youth and helping them live the Pledge of Nonviolence, extensive suggestions for training youth to teach the Pledge, and detailed descriptions of six different program models. The rest of the kit includes Youth Instructor Workbook, Lesson Plan Resource Book, and Training Video.
The Things That Make for Peace. From the Institute for Peace and Justice. This new resource contains educational materials for young people in grades 7 - 12.
All About Teaching Peace by Elaine Ward. 1989. Gives teachers suggestions for encouraging a positive sense of self-worth, educating toward a concern for others, teaching conflict resolution, and encouraging global awareness.
Alternatives to Violence: Christian Education and School Kit. From the Institute for Peace and Justice. Workbooks, planning guides, booklets, teacher's manuals, samples of children's worship services, designed to teach peace and nonviolence.
Building a Neighborhood Together by Vera K. White. Describes a process for building a neighborhood out of boxes and other everyday household supplies. Provides children the experiences of cooperation, sharing, and problem-solving.
Celebrating Racial Diversity. By Kathleen McGinnis. 1994. This book seeks to support young people in their own efforts to cross racial barriers and stand for racial justice, as well as challenge children to deal with their own misconceptions and prejudices. Lessons provide activities for both younger and older children.
Creating Circles of Peace: Alternatives to Violence Kit. From Families Against Violence Advocacy Network. Contains materials to help students learn skills for resolving conflicts, become more aware of media violence and less violent in their own play. Includes helpful materials for family use.
Educating for Peace and Justice. Religious Dimensions. K-6. By James McGinnis. The uniqueness of this manual is the processes designed to promote a personal relationship of friendship with the persons or groups being addressed. These are found in the "Interpersonal Peacemaking," "Interracial Reconciliation," "Solidarity with the Poor," and "Becoming Friends With the Earth" units.
The Friendly Classroom for a Small Planet: Children's Creative Response to Conflict. Prutzman, Stern, Burger, and Bodenhamer. 1988. More than just conflict resolution skills, this program addresses the roots of conflict and violence, offering teachers and parents perspectives, techniques, and tools designed to nurture self-esteem, build cooperation and community, develop effective communication, and promote self-awareness and empathy.
Helping Kids CARE: Harmony Building Activities for Home, Church, and School. By Camy Condon & James McGinnis. 1988. This book begins with "Peacemaking" because most children need to experience peace and justice right where they are. Thus, the initial activities focus primarily on nonviolent conflict resolution on the interpersonal level while later activities lead to "global awareness" and include applications to the international level.
How to Teach Peace to Children. By J. Lorne Peachey. 1981. This little book primarily addresses the responsibility of parents for teaching peace, but includes guidelines for church and home working together.
Keeping the Peace: Practicing Cooperation and Conflict Resolution with Preschoolers. By Susan Wichert. 1989. "Conflict resolution skills -- such as careful listening, clear communication, empathy, understanding consequence, cooperation and negotiation -- can be learned by even very young children." The author offers concrete, practical and innovative activities for building an environment in which little children can learn these important skills.
Kids Creating Circles of Peace. Anne Marie Witchger Hansen and Susan Vogt. 2000. An activity book for kids about real life situations they face, like dealing with bullies, standing up for friends even when they're scared, and getting along with kids who are different. Challenges kids to respect themselves and others, communicate well, listen, forgive, play creatively, and be courageous.
Kids for Peace Magazines. 1996. Resources to help children learn how to begin countering some of the violence in their lives. Two magazines ("Making a Non-Violent USA" and "What Can I Do?") come with a kids' book and a leader's guide.
A Manual on Nonviolence and Children. Stephanie Judson, ed. 1984. The manual contains over a hundred exercises, games, and agendas developed, tested, or used by the Friends Committee on Nonviolence and Children which help children gain a concrete understanding of the value of cooperation and interdependence. Includes For the Fun of It! Selected Cooperative Games for Children and Adults.
Old Turtle Curriculum Resources for Churches. By Nancy Loving Tubesing. 1999. Dozens of creative, interactive, educational activities using the themes of Old Turtle, organized by age group (preschool to adult) and topic: peace & justice issues, conflict resolution, environmental stewardship, spiritual growth and inner peace.
Parenting for Peace and Justice. By Kathleen and James McGinnis. 1981. The authors offer concrete ways of living and parenting that transform ideals into everyday activities of prayer and action. Covers issues of simplicity, nonviolence, multicultural awareness, gender roles, and family involvement in social action.
Peace Begins With You. By Katherine Scholes. 1990. A storybook to read to children which explains clearly and simply how and why peace has a place in all of our lives. The book begins at a personal level, looking at why different people's needs and wants don't always fit together easily, and how this can become a source of conflict. It then explores the ways in which conflict can be resolved. The book then relates these concepts to the wider world.
Peace Papers Packet. From the Institute for Peace and Justice. Weekly children's activity sheets offering young people a way, the way of Jesus, to prevent violence and choose alternatives to violence. For Ages 6-10.
Peacemaking Activities for Children. A Brethren House Publication. 1982. The activities in this book were designed to teach children, sometimes in intergenerational settings, some ways Jesus gave to help us plant the roots of peace.
Peacemaking Creatively Through the Arts. By Phyllis Vos Wezeman. 1990. Based on the idea that children can use artistic expression to help them find solutions to the difficult problems they face as they seek peace in all aspects of life. This big book thus contains numerous ideas for exploring peacemaking themes through the arts.
Peacemaking for Little Friends: Tips, Lessons & Resources for Parents and Teachers. By Mary Joan Park. 1985. Contains suggestions for teaching peace and nonviolence in the home, ways to prevent conflict, problem-solving techniques with children, classroom peace activities and lessons, and support systems for peace education.
Puppets for Peace. By Camy Condon and James McGinnis. 1984. Contains chants and skits that focus on nonviolent conflict resolution with an application to the international level. Others focus directly on war, arms race, and what children can do for world peace.
Sing for Peace. By Lois Lenski. 1985. Songs that deal with peace from a child's perspective. Both words and music are included.
Starting Out Right: Nurturing Young Children as Peacemakers. By Kathleen McGinnis and Barbara Oehlberg. 1988. This book helps adults clarify their own values and then moves to do-able ideas for building peacemaking behavior in children.
Teaching Young Children in Violent Times: Building a Peaceable Classroom. By Diane E. Levin. 1994. Helps teachers of preschool to grade 3 children create classrooms in which children learn alternatives to the violent behaviors modeled for them in the media and beyond. Focuses on conflict resolution, meeting safety needs, and respect and provides practical learning activities.
The Things That Make for Peace. From the Institute for Peace and Justice. This new resource provides educational materials for children in grades K-8.
The Things That Make for Peace: Begin With the Children. The Presbyterian Peacemaking Program. This booklet was prepared to help young children grow in their ability to be peacemakers. The resource is designed especially for use by teachers of elementary children, and includes a variety of suggestions that focus on particular peacemaking skills. Included are suggestions for home use.
Why People Fight. By James Boler. 1975. This course is designed to help children ages 8 - 12 perceive the dynamics of conflict and to develop some skills for resolving it. It explores views of why people fight and looks at conflict situations in church school, at home, at play, in the community, and in the world.
Young Peacemakers Project Book. Kathleen Fry-Miller and Judith Myers-Walls. 1988. A collection of imaginative learning activities which introduce pre-school through elementary age children to the fundamental concepts of peacemaking. The activities are organized around the themes of "caring for the environment," "understanding people," and "making peace."
Dreaming God's Dream. From the Institute for Peace and Justice. Many activities for families to celebrate Martin Luther King's birthday.
Families Caring. From the Institute for Peace and Justice. Practical helps for families to do a better job of peacemaking at home, deal with consumerism, celebrate diversity, and care for the earth.
Families Creating a Circle of Peace. Families Against Violence Advocacy Network. This booklet addresses the concerns of parents, family members, and all committed individuals who wish to take a stand for peace and justice in today's increasingly violent world. It is based on a Family Pledge of Nonviolence and includes 40 pages of stories, suggestions, activities, and other resources to help people live each component of the pledge in their day-to-day lives.
Partners in Peacemaking: Family Workshop Models. By James McGinnis. 1984. The workshop models in this book offer a variety of settings for doing Parenting for Peace and Justice events -- family camps, family weekends in a church facility, a day-long program in a school, afternoon or evening events in community centers, a series of Sunday pot-luck programs. In addition to the whole family workshop models, there are several youth models.
Peace Is ... A Program Manual for an Intergenerational Weekend Retreat. M. Scott Miles. 1992. The focus of this retreat program is to address the issue of peace from the perspective of Jesus Christ. During the weekend, participants will have the opportunity to explore what it means to have peace between themselves and God. They will discover how that primary relationship of peace obligates us to be peacemakers in our world -- not only the global world, but the personal, day-to-day world in which we each live everyday.
located in the Ruth Dudley Resource Center
Non-Violence in a Violent World. This video brings together five teens who share their stories and an audience to explore the question of living in a culture of violence and how to respond. Frank, searching questions and discussion evolve. 41 minutes. 1999.
Peace to the City: Parts 1 & 2. From the World Council of Churches. These videos highlight the role of peacemakers working to counter violence in various cities of the world: Rio de Janeiro, Belfast, Boston, etc. Part I: 111 minutes. Part 2: 121 minutes. 1998.
Peacemaking in the Home. A workshop led by Jim and Kathy McGinnis, authors of the book, Parenting for Justice and Peace. Practical and do-able ways to incorporate peace in the home and into your family are demonstrated. Divided into six segments: #1 Peacemaking in the Home - Affirmation; #2 Family Meetings; #3 Principles - Family Meetings; #4 McGinnis Family Meeting; #5 Discussion of Authority in the Family; #6 A Prayer for the Family. 60 minutes. 1991.
The System Belongs to God. Video Series. Is "the way things are" the way they have to be? Not according to Jesus who had a vision of a different way - the way he called "the Kingdom of God," and which biblical scholar Walter Wink calls "God's domination-free order." This series deals with the origins of violence and domination, with Jesus' way of non-violence, and of resisting evil without resorting to violent means. 7 videos: #1 The Way Things of Are (26 minutes); #2 God Won't Give Up (26 minutes); #3 What Jesus Really Said (17 minutes); #4 How to Fight Without Hitting (27 minutes); #5 What if Nations, Companies, and Churches Had Angels? (24 minutes); #6 How You See the World (26 minutes); #7 Praying for the Big Picture (26 minutes). 1997.
Teaching Tolerance. Periodical from the Southern Poverty Law Center. This magazine is for educators who want to help their students learn how to recognize and respect different persons, beliefs, and practices. Each issue contains articles about programs and projects that can be used in classrooms. There are also reviews of new teaching tools-books and curricula--for all ages.
The Ruth Dudley Resource Center
Connecticut Conference, UCC
125 Sherman Street
Hartford, CT 06105
