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Peace building at Plow Creek

Dear Friend,

"I am a PeaceBuilder. I Pledge…to praise people, to give up put-downs, to seek wise people as advisors and friends, to notice the hurts I have caused and make amends, to right wrongs, to help others. I will build peace at home, at school, and in my community each day."

This is the pledge the local grade schoolers do each day after the normal pledge to the flag. Each class has even created its own PeaceBuilder’s flag.

Some of the result are we see more
people listening, smiles, hugs, people helping one another, and bullying is decreased. We hear laughter, positive stories in staff meetings, “good job”, apologizing, cheers, encouragement, and students chanting "talk it out” to stop fights. We feel safe, happy, appreciated, hopeful, and close to others. These results come from students, administrators, teachers, bus drivers, and aids who are all trained in this school program.

To be a Peacebuilder is a personal decision only you can make. Ask yourself often is what I just did or about to do building peace?”

This is some of what Judd Lusher and L
ynne Weber enthusiastically shared with our Plow Creek church community at my invitation. Judd brought the PeaceBuilders program to our area in 1995 (the first east of the Mississippi). Lynne taught under it since 1996. It was developed as an effective way to reduce violence in schools. It was a good challenge to us to be PeaceBuilder as we relate with others too.

Consider bringing it to your schools.

Contact: www.peacebuilders.com or 1-877-4-Peace-now

Say a prayer for a fruitful PeaceBulding program.

May we all be peacebuilders,

Jim

Here is our family in Chicago at the youngest one Karin's birthday party. They are a lot of the reason we are moving to Chicago.

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