Lombard conference explores issues of peace, faith

All they are saying, really truly, is give peace a chance.

An organization that connects faith and peace, the West suburban Faith-Based Peace Coalition, meets Saturday to reaffirm those beliefs at its annual gathering.

“We all believe that it’s our own responsibility to bring peace to the world and that we can’t just rely on others,” said Frank Goetz, co-coordinator for the organization. “In various ways, we show our commitment to peace.”

They’ll demonstrate that commitment at the ninth annual gathering, “Liberating Civil Society: Nonviolence in Service to Justice,” that begins at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 3, at Lombard Mennonite Church, 528 E. Madison St., Lombard.

The free event features keynote speaker Mark Johnson, executive director of the Fellowship of Reconciliation/USA. Johnson, who has visited Occupy camps throughout the country and recently returned from Cairo and Jerusalem, will speak to the concepts of “occupying,” or “liberating,” civil society and citizenship.

“I’m expecting a rather dynamic speaker and I’m kind of eager to hear him,” said Karen Jackson of Woodridge, a member of West suburban Faith-Based Peace Coalition.

“I know what FOR (Fellowship of Reconciliation) does and I know they’ve been doing this for a very long time, so my expectation is that Mark will be giving some insights into how they operate and where they think the peace movement is going. There are certainly issues all over the world to address.”

The only real progress we’ve made in this country is through non-violence, Goetz said, citing the civil rights movement as a successful example of how peace prevailed in the end.

“We have a mission to make more and more people aware of that and to choose that method of resolving conflicts,” Goetz said.

On Saturday, following the speaker there will be three workshop opportunities as well as a chance to network with several exhibitors on hand.

“(The coalition) represents the desire for peace around the world and human dignity for everyone around the globe,” said Steve Jackson of Woodridge.

So often stories of people’s suffering as a result of violence go unheard in today’s society, coalition members say, and they plan to recognize that Saturday.

“We come together, we sing, we pray, we hear words of wisdom and validate the work that we’re doing,” Karen Jackson said. “That’s a good thing.”

The event is free. For information, visit faithpeace.org.