(page five of Vol 30-5)

May, 1988

Soundings, Volume 10, Number 9

The call to peace is a loving demand

By Betsy Conway, CSJ

Is peace possible? Many of my students do not think so. It has become my challenge, then, to try to instill a hope, a belief that this seemingly fairy tale idea is something worth thinking about, working towards, and most of all, believing in.

Five years ago, while I was still new at Fontbonne, I was searching for creative ways to “celebrate” Lent and pray for peace. We in Campus Ministry decided to order hundreds of “Dream for Peace” buttons to be worn by all willing members of the Fontbonne community during the season of Lent. It was our belief that the dream was essential, if there was ever to be the reality.

Around this time, my then co-worker Brother Dan Walters and I joined a group called Educators for Christian Non-Violence. This group met regularly for prayer, discussions, and support. From them we received ideas for speakers and films on disarmament and non-violence.

We invited the leaders of our group, Brayton Shanley and Suzanne Belote, to speak to our Fontbonne students about non-violent responses to conflict. This was a startling concept for some. Many found it, “a nice idea but impractical.” Still, it was an idea, something to think about, an alternative.

We have had other speakers from various groups talk about disarmament. We found it important that the students see that there are many believers who commit themselves and their lives to this notion.

The Gods of Metal, an excellent movie on the arms race, was also shown to the entire student body. Morning prayer and weekly prayer services often focused on gospel non-violence and the call that belongs to each of us to disarm.

For a true Christian, the gospel message is not optional. Neither should we pick and choose what “works for us” and dismiss what seems unrealistic for the 80’s. My message became, “Peace is more than a nice, but impractical idea. It is a call, a challenge, a loving demand!”

Even among the most idealistic at Fontbonne (and we all want peace), there often seems a sense of helplessness. “What can I do about disarmament?” “My father works at Draper. I wish he didn’t, but he’s supporting my family.” Even the request to think about violence and the arms race, at times seems an overwhelming burden.

So we have explored what we can realistically do. We can collect clothes and school supplies in support of the Nicaraguan Peace Train. We can march in Washington, as a group of student and faculty members did this year. We can write letters to Congress opposing Contra aid. We can examine our own ways of dealing with conflict. We can have lively discussions about the struggles involved in peace making. We can do, and did do, many of these faith responses.

It has been five years since our Congregation corporate stance against the arms race. The message I continue to believe and strive to instill in my students is two-fold. God does not ask for the impossible. Peace, therefore, is possible. With the help of God and the support of each other, we have the power and the responsibility to make this dream a reality.