Peace Studies Conference September 2003

"A Call to Build Peace and Justice"

The Sixteenth Annual Peace Studies Conference

Sponsored by Saint John's University and College of Saint Benedict Peace Studies Department, Saint John's University Vocation Project and Saint John's University School of Theology•Seminary

Monday, September 29, 2003

Saint John's University, Collegeville, Minnesota

1:00 -- Welcome  (Alumni Lounge, SJU)
Dr. Rita Knuesel, CSB/SJU Associate Provost
Dr. Jeffrey Anderson, Chair, CSB/SJU Peace Studies Department

1:05 -- "A Call to Build Peace and Justice."
Reverend Yolanda Lehman spoke on the need to facilitate peace and justice in our communities.  Appropriate motivations for taking up this worthy cause as well as the costs involved in doing so were also discussed.  The assertion that it is ultimately God's people who are equipped to successfully undertake this important work was made.  Rev. Yolanda D. Lehman, M.Div. is the senior Pastor of Resurrection African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church in St. Cloud, MN. 

2:40 -- "Answering the Call: Working for Peace and Justice." Panel of three speaking on exemplary faith groups working for peace and justice. (Alumni Lounge, SJU)

Panelists and topics:

• Bob Hulteen, Director, Twin Cities Religion and Labor Network, "Examples from the Twin Cities Area."
• Marty Roers, Diocese of St. Cloud Mission Office, "Making the Local-Global  Connection."
• Sr. Merle Nolde, OSB, Pax Christi-St. Cloud, "Examples from the St. Cloud Area."

4:15 --  Workshops.  Offered Concurrently.

1.) "Living in Intentional Community." Our panelists, current and former members of Sojourners and Catholic Worker communities, discussed the challenges and joys of life in Christian communities committed to justice and peace.  Moderator: Dan McKanan, School of Theology. Panelists: Bob Hulteen and Susan Masters; Reba and Scott Mathem-Jacobson, Duluth Catholic Worker House; Paul and Sara Freid, Winona Catholic Worker House. (Alumni Lounge).  

2.) "The Legacy of Paul and Sheila Wellstone: Training New Leaders."  Pam Costain, Director of Education and Advocacy, Wellstone Action Network. (Quad 360A).

3.) "Who Is Calling Me--and How Do I Respond?" Okay, so we've established that you have a call.  But who or what is calling you--and how do you know?  This session presented some ways to explore your life's purpose by considering your gifts and passions.  Presented by Maureen Otremba, SJU Vocation Project Associate Director, and Christine Munger, Vocation Associate, Companions on a Journey. (Quad 360B). 

5:30 -- Dinner Break. 

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Welcome and Introduction: Gina Wolfe, Director, Saint John's University Vocation Project and Associate Professor, Department of Theology. (Pellegrene Auditorium, SJU)

8:00 p.m. Jim Wallis, "Peacemaking as a Vocation"
(Pellegrene Auditorium, SJU)

Jim Wallis is an international commentator on ethics and public life; the executive director and editor-in-chief of Sojourners, Christians for  Peace and Justice; and the convener of Call to Renewal, a faith-inspired movement to overcome poverty. (Pellegrene Auditorium, SJU)

9:00 p.m. Reception and Book Signing - Great Hall, SJU.

Tuesday, September 30, 2003

10:00 a.m., Emmaus Hall South Lounge, informal discussion with Jim Wallis, free and open to all.

Please Note:

• All sessions were free and open to the public.
• Please see display of Jim Wallis' books at the CSB/SJU Bookstores.
• For more information on Jim Wallis and Sojourners, the ecumenical peace and justice group, go to www.sojo.net.
• The Peace Studies Department at Saint John's University and College of Saint Benedict are grateful to Lorraine and Robert Breitenbucher and the SJU Vocation Project for their financial assistance in presenting this conference.

Peace Studies Conference Coordinator:  Ron Pagnucco (rpagnucco@csbsju.edu; 320-363-5784).

SJU Vocation Project Conference Coordinators:  Gina Wolfe (320-363-2110) and Maureen Otremba (320-363-3104)