Interfaith Center Spotlights Zones of Peace

I am very happy to be moving into a new role with the Zones of Peace initiative. I have served as Co-Chair or Chair of the Steering Committee for several years, and I am now proud to be the Coordinator of Zones of Peace, a position on the staff of the Interfaith Center of Greater Philadelphia. I am happy for myself--for the opportunity to work with great colleagues and volunteers on a project that contributes to peace in Philadelphia and its suburbs. Also, I am happy for the Zones of Peace initiative because it means that more staff time will be devoted to Zones of Peace than has been possible in the past. The solid foundation and recent momentum of the initiative will, I hope, be enhanced by my efforts in partnership with others committed to the cause. My goals include expanding the number of recognized Zones of Peace, fostering networking among Zones of Peace for mutual support and education, raising funds to sustain Zones of Peace, and by these means (and others) making Zones of Peace a more effective partner for all people of good will who work to address the root causes of violence, reduce levels of violence, and respond compassionately to the victims of violence. Let’s work together to strengthen this endeavor. You’ll find opportunities for participation at the end of this newsletter. I encourage you to contact me so we can share our visions and ideas, and thus support one another in our efforts.

John Hougen
Coordinator, Zones of Peace
jbh@interfaithcenterpa.org
cell: 215-962-8242

Congratulations! In the past several months, Zones of Peace has recognized three communities and organizations for their unique efforts to build a peace-filled region. The descriptions below highlight the newest of our 31 Zones of Peace -- all contributing to envisioning our region as a Zone of Peace -- free from fear, filled with respect, and marked by deeds of kindness.

The Interfaith Walk for Peace and Reconciliation strives to facilitate peace, justice and reconciliation by engaging faith groups and other communities in dialogue, reflection, and action. The major function of this organization is to plan and carry out an annual Interfaith Peace Walk which draws 500 – 1000 participants. The April 2013 walk was the tenth consecutive annual walk; Each walk has had a theme and has included stops at religious sites from different traditions with programming at each site. Participants are also given ideas for meaningful conversation to discuss along the way. The Peace Walk has built strong relationships with other organizations--both religious and “peace-oriented.” Furthermore, the Peace Walk Group meets monthly throughout the year to foster intergroup sharing and stimulate collaborative projects to increase understanding and reduce intergroup tensions. By identifying, networking, and maintaining contact with the various individuals, groups, and group

The Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations, founded under the City Charter in 1951 to address workplace discrimination, is the oldest human relations commission in the country. Its goal is to enforce Philadelphia’s civil rights laws and to address matters of intergroup conflicts in the city. The Compliance Division investigates claims of unlawful discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodations, and the delivery of city services. The Community Relations Division works to mediate, ease and diffuse individual, intergroup and community tensions and conflicts throughout the city of Philadelphia through deep listening, building trust, and providing safe places for airing grievances as well as opportunities for bridge-building and reconciliation. The Commission truly embodies our mission to make the entire city a Zone of Peace.

ArtWell is a non-sectarian organization that fosters creativity and enhances communication and literacy skills among young people from diverse cultures and faith traditions in order to deepen their understanding of themselves and their community. Ultimately, ArtWell aims to reduce violence and increase peace within our city and region. Found in 2001 as the Arts and Spirituality Center, ArtWell has responded to the chronic community violence in Philadelphia by introducing a preventative, educational, arts-oriented approach to reach under served communities and children and teens facing discrimination, poverty, violence and the everyday challenges of growing up. Through their four programs (We the Poets, The Art of Growing Up, HeartSpeak, and MasterPeace), ArtWell has partnered with over 350 schools and organizations and engaged with over 23,000 youth across Philadelphia, 85% from low-income communities.

There are now 31 Zones of Peace! The following is a map and key of where all the Zones of Peace are found throughout Philadelphia--a map that will continue to expand!

KEY

St. John’s Lutheran Church, Ambler
Ascension Church of the United Church of Christ
Institute for Forgiveness and Reconciliation at Chestnut Hill
Grace Lutheran Church
St. John’s Lutheran Church, Melrose Park
Rhawnhurst Turning Point
Prince of Peace Lutheran Church
Solid Rock UMC Church
Wissahickon Faith Community Association
Wynnefield Baptist Church
Mosque of Shaikh M.R Bawa Muhaiyaddeen
West Kensington Ministry
Earth’s Keepers
First African Presbyterian Church
Heavenly Hall Church
Interfaith Walk for Peace and Reconciliation
Arab-American Development Corporation
Mt. Pisgah AME Church
Tabernacle United Church
ArtWell
Philadelphia Episcopal Commission
Congregation Rodeph Shalom
St. Frances de Sales School
Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations
Monthly Meeting of Friends of Philadelphia
Presbyterian Children’s Village
Anti Defamation League’s No Place for Hate
Health Exposure and Longevity Project inc
Philadelphia Alliance Against Drugs and Violence
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints--South Philadelphia