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VOL. 13, NO. 6

justpeace Facts

• Created in 1999 by the United Methodist Church as center for conflict
• transformation.
  z Operated by the General Council of Finance and Administration
•  Its mission is to prepare and assist United Methodists to engage in conflict constructively in ways that strive for justice, reconciliation, resource preservation and restoration of community in the Church and world.
•  Biblical foundations include Matthew 18:15-17, 20; Colossians 3:12-15; and 2 Corinthians 5:17-18.

More information can be found at www.justpeaceumc.org.

Leaders learn to grow from conflict

By Melissa Lauber
UMConnection Staff

Conflict may be inevitable, but it doesnt have to be destructive. Rachel Wohl believes that. In fact, shes betting $1 million of state taxpayers money on it.

Conflict has the power to destroy organizations and individuals. It can also create opportunities for people to come together, clarify issues, rebuild relationships and reach new understandings that prevent future disputes, said Wohl, who directs Marylands Mediation and Conflict Resolution Office.

The office, started in 1998 by Robert M. Bell, the states chief court of appeals judge, gives grants to innovative programs in education, business, government, community relations, family and juvenile law and the circuit and district courts.

To further expand the expertise of the advisory board, Chief Judge Bell recently invited Bishop Felton Edwin May to represent the states faith community.

The Mediation and Conflict Resolution Office endorses a variety of techniques for settling disputes including mediation, arbitration, settlement conferences and consensus building.

Mediation, like religion, is an empowering process, she said. It personalizes justice and looks ahead to the future, unlike the judicial system, which is a rearview process.

The Mediation and Conflict Resolution Office also funds a number of educational efforts. One of their biggest success stories involves Frederick High School, to which they gave $33,900 for a program to help decrease incidences of school violence.

The program brought together students from a variety of cliques around the school in a retreat setting at Trinity UMC in Frederick. The students learned about stereotypes and other barriers that separate people.

These kids were taught dont stare at people who are different than you. Dont talk about race, said Lou Gieszl, the resolution offices deputy executive director. But they are dying to talk about these things. Theyre hungry for connections.

It gives Gieszl chills to think that Andy Williams, who went on a shooting spree at his school in Santee, California, was slated to go to Frederick High School before his family moved. Who knows the impact we might be having, he said.

The United Methodist Church is also undergoing a transformation in the way it addresses differences. Conflict management has given way to conflict transformation, said the Rev. Greg Brown. Groups like JUSTPEACE, Clergy Case Conferences and the Conflict Management Team reflect this transformation.