January peacemaking round-up
A collection of events and resources for peacemakers to read, attend, & think about
What do you picture when you hear the word “conflict”? Likely, two people fighting, glowering at each other. But what if conflict looks instead like two lonely people staring quietly in opposite directions?
Researchers are discovering that so much of our current polarization crisis is driven by isolation, not by direct clashing. Alone in our echo chambers, we develop uncharitable views towards one another. Apart from thick community, our views are not accountable to a diverse set of people who are real to us. People may clash online, but the degree to which online interlocutors are real to each other is in question.
Typically, we think peacemaking involves dialogue & conflict resolution. But if isolation is a root cause, then peacemaking also requires gathering people and allowing ourselves to be gathered.
Today, we’re sharing some writings and resources on how and why we need to gather. We also share some upcoming events and opportunities to get involved.
Connection, Friendship, & Community
The debate on the roots of America’s loneliness epidemic continues but the Atlantic’s cover story names this the anti-social century. One writer's solution involves solving America’s party deficit while scheduling recurring calendar blocks work for others.
The atrophy of adult friendships and relationships may start in the small decisions of our lives. Men who struggle to text their friends back may be particularly vulnerable.
Community always sounds nice in the abstract, but as Sam Pressler writes, real community requires proximity to others and having “skin in the game.” Rabbi Sharon Brous explains how we build community in a fractured world amidst loneliness and alienation. She feels it constitutes a spiritual crisis.
From Wayfare, Hannah Anderson Ringger writes that friction is necessary for forming Zion. She draws from Melissa Inouye, who wrote that “The Church is a real place to do the real work of being real children of God.”
The Soloists podcast hosted a conversation with Candice Gutierrez, Cheryl Johnson, and Dusty Hulet hosted on how parties can be designed as opportunities to ministe
Events & Opportunities
Sharing Sacred Spaces (SSS) is hosting an info session Thursday on How to De-Polarize and Build Community in Your Town. SSS is scaling its interreligious communities project as part of this initiative.
Want to attend or host an interfaith iftar during Ramadan this year? Shoulder to Shoulder Campaign’s Annual Ramadan Initiative connects Muslims and people of faith & goodwill through interfaith Iftars. The final list of iftars will be posted.
Elder Ulisses Soares will speak at the upcoming 2025 Global Faith Forum February 3in Washington, DC. The theme is Together for Peace in a Time of Outrage.
Also, Thursday Interfaith Alliance launches its new report, Together Against Hate and Faith communities have a big role to play. Moderated dialogue included as part of the event.
Thriving Together has tips on how you can use the science of motivation to create environments where your volunteers and community members' needs for autonomy, relatedness, and competence are met. Part of series of ongoing webinars.
A UVU professor’s desire to provide healing for Latter-day Saints and their loved ones who have left the faith resulted in a stage performance. A new documentary highlights the project’s impact.
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