Newsletter 02: Sacred Discernment

joeyager
Sep 10
2 min read

Welcome to the Design for Peace newsletter — a space to share stories of discernment, design, and experimentation around peace.

Design for Peace is dedicated to nurturing an ecology of peace in Cascadia. We do this by accompanying leaders as they reimagine and repurpose community spaces towards Shalom - an ancient vision for communities of peace where everything belongs.

Explore with us

Each month, we’ll share a short exploration about a concept, principle, or lens that informs our work at Design for Peace.

The Path of Sacred Discernment

By Rev. Shalom Agtarap

Discernment isn’t just decision-making, it is a core practice as followers of Jesus, but also in our work at Design for Peace. We organize communities to do their work together. One person begins to share what they're seeing in the world, then another shares their perspective based on who they've talked to, and slowly, a picture emerges for what a faith community is called to do, and where they might be called to go.

“You cannot discern from a distance. You have to get involved, to take the risk; only on that basis can you assess the feedback and make the adjustment. Discernment implies relationship.” This excerpt is from a book on spiritual direction but it’s not unlike what we do at Design for Peace.

One cannot discern from a distance. If we’re to seek the shalom of God in this time and place where Black and Brown neighbors are being disappeared, where more and more unhoused people are being swept in the cities and rural poverty is invisibilized, then we must get into relationships. We must discern what God is calling us to do by getting up close and personal. Taking risks will look like evolving worship, talking to people in the community in non-transactional ways, and showing up for vulnerable neighbors.

Quote: Robert R. Marsh, “Looking at God looking at you: Ignatius’ Third Addition”

Stories from the ecosystem

Each month, we’ll share stories of where dynamic, sustainable peace is emerging in our communities, and offer invitations to deeper engagement. In this first issue, we’re spotlighting some emerging work around building local hubs of climate resilience and sharing glimpses of local teams designing for peace across our region.

Faith-Community partnerships in Shelton, WA

Faith Lutheran Church and local community groups and nonprofits have been experimenting with shared use of space and partnership in Shelton WA. Hear from these partners about how these relationships emerged, and what it looks like to come alongside and support each other to better serve their local communities: https://youtu.be/C80EFSmbjTs

Updates: What's happening in our ecosystem?

Climate Resilience Design Table forming: On October 18th we are gathering a table of practice for ecumenical faith communities in Southwestern Washington who are participating in the work of climate resilience in their own contexts, and are interested in becoming hubs of climate resilience in their communities. Interested in joining this year’s design table? Contact us here: wedesignforpeace.org/connect