Seven years ago Bethlehem Evangelical Lutheran Church considered revamping its vacation Bible school program. The church wanted to reach out to the neighborhood more effectively. Bethlehem is located in Chicago’s Beverly neighborhood on the South Side.
Bethlehem realized calling it “Vacation Bible School” might not attract those outside the church. A council member suggested a youth peace camp. Since then every summer for one week 40 to 50 kids participate in a peace camp based on restorative practices at Bethlehem.
Restorative practices seek to repair relationships when dealing with conflict. Pastor Jennie English-Dumont explains the idea is to teach kids peacemaking skills. They learn how to build a healthy community.
Peace Camp activities include peace circles. There is also a class on nonviolent conflict resolution. Yoga sessions help kids find inner peace.
One year Peace Camp’s theme was “Love your neighbor”. Young participants learned about different kinds of neighbors. They started with local ones then expanded to global neighbors. Kathy Maybaum Miller a Bethlehem member and Peace Camp volunteer said the idea was to show neighbors can be defined in all kinds of ways.
Healthy conflict-resolution skills are put into practice when needed. If two children argue leaders sit with them. They ask questions that don’t assign blame. Instead they help each child understand where the other is coming from. They discuss how to work together to make things right and find a way forward. The most important thing is restoring the relationship.
Bethlehem succeeded in creating a program that serves the broader community. Most camp participants come from outside the congregation. Amy Berglind enrolled her daughters in Peace Camp. She liked the name and her neighbors recommended the program. She also liked that it was a daylong camp.
Berglind’s daughters enjoyed the yoga sessions. These sessions taught them mindfulness focus and self-reflection. Berglind said it’s important for children to learn healthy conflict resolution. Children face conflict every day. Peace Camp taught her girls specific tactics for being true to themselves. Activities taught them to be open-minded respectful and understanding of others.
Peace Camp is just one part of Bethlehem’s peacemaking work. About five years ago the congregation formed a Peace Team ministry. English-Dumont said they felt called to restorative justice peace work. The congregation connected with other churches and partners active in this work. Bethlehem’s Peace Team helped develop peace themes around the liturgical calendar.
The Peace Team collaborates with neighborhood schools. They offer workshops and programs on restorative practices. Team members have hosted “civil conversations”. These conversations aim to bring people together around divisive issues. The events provide a safe space for understanding different points of view.
Lori Smith joined the Peace Team for its focus on restorative options. She feels the atmosphere of peace and rest resonates throughout the congregation. Smith said social media makes it hard to develop practices that encourage conflict resolution. It has helped her as an adult and she sees kids picking up on it too.
English-Dumont hopes their work raises awareness about violence. She wants people to see that violence in communities is everyone’s problem. Bethlehem is located on Chicago’s far South Side. Though not as directly impacted by violence they are not immune. Building awareness and connectedness is something all Lutheran congregations can do.
Bethlehem is a congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. It values hospitality and genuine care for others. Bethlehem strives to be a community inclusive and safe for all people. The church is committed to anti-racism social and economic justice and environmental care.