February 2014 issue of Shalom eNews

February 2014 issue of Shalom eNews

INVITATION Developed by Communities of Shalom—an initiative of the General Conference of The United Methodist Church—ShalomZone Training™ now is available both Online and Onsite (by applying for training and making arrangements with Drew-certified Shalom Trainers). This 20-hr Shalom Online training course on asset-based community development is offered through Drew’s partnership with Northwind Institute for 2 continuing education units at a reduced program fee of $49 during the Spring Semester 2014 Michael J. Christensen, Ph.D Director, Communities of Shalom, Drew University.   DOWNLOAD Shalom eBook with your registration Registration fees includes free download of Participants Workbook (which can be purchased separately for $30). REGISTER NOW! International Director, Dr. Michael J. Christensen, and Communities of Shalom Training and Resource Center at Drew University, are pleased to present a new Shalom Online Training course---adapted from the onsite ShalomZone training. Though not a replacement for onsite Shalom Training for new sites and shalom teams, it does introduce individual participants and potential trainers to the six Shalom Threads, and presents some of the workshop skills of Shalom Making.   Click here for the welcome clip <iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/SfaKlb4Oo3k" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> “Stepping Up from Charity to Sustainable Community Development—the Six Threads of S-H-A-L-O-M” covers the distinctive, faith-based, “shalom zone approach” to economic community development in urban neighborhoods and rural areas. By identifying hidden assets and mobilizing internal resources, rather than depending on charity and external inputs, vital communities can be empowered and transformed. We hope you will consider getting trained on how to start a “Shalom Zone”-- a tangible demonstration act of God’s Shalom in the place where you live, work or worship! To register click here Shalom Inspiration My God Trains my Hands and Fingers by Richard Romero Pslam 144:1 “Praise be to the LORD my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle.” David may have written this Psalm after a great victory and perhaps before another intense struggle.  Isn’t it true that we rarely conquer a difficulty just to see another one coming on our way? we are grateful to God that is with us in ten struggles and will not leave us in the eleventh one. David’s confidence is securely placed in solid rock. His faith is strong in the unshakeable God almighty. David realizes that his own strength is not enough, that he needs more preparation, more training. He is praying to be empowered to overcome his challenges. In our own challenges with social justice, we also need to be trained to face the coming difficulties that face our times. In many ways the old models of dealing with poverty and charity have disappoint us. We need to learn from our mistakes and open our minds to new perspectives on how to deal with our present struggles.We should all pray like David and realize our need for more training. Communities of Shalom online training is a great opportunity to get in touch with the new approaches to community development. It will give us the tools we need in our challenges with social justice. I am glad to see that we this course is been offered free of charghe this year. I hope we all take advantage of this great opportunity. May be continue praying like David as we face our daily challenges, “Praise be to the LORD my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle.” Life at Sioux Falls Shalom Zone Her233e in Sioux Falls — we are having an impact on the neighborhood.  We are working with several neighborhood organizations to create a safe zone for all who are in our very diverse multi-cultural neighborhood. One great change is that we are partnering with Sioux Falls Housing Authority and have begun a five unit building across the street from our church.  It is for senior (over 55) housing with income guidelines.  It was designed to face our church — we leased our across the street parking lot to the group for 40 years so we can have new parking and the units can have off street parking also.  There is a common garden space which our children will help plant.  Should be open by March of 2014.  We view this as ouro first step into serving the older population in this place along with our children and family programs. Just wanted you to know we continue to live in Shalom. At Tree of Life — the participation by others all around the US continues.  The need grows as many Natives who were in cities move back to the reservations.  Our Tree of Life couple Russ and Donna Masartis — move and have their being among the people of the area.  There have been several new projects started as a result of our Shalom work on the reservation.  One is horses — there are a number of children who have participated in painting horses and learning to ride and care for them as well.  This offers a great release of frustrations felt when the children and teens are attending school and finding themselves frustrated and bullied by others. We also know they have gotten a new shop set up.  A place where teens can come and work and make.  previously this was only available to those who were on parole.  It made them want to stay in trouble!!  Not a good thing. Thanks Michael for doing what you do and helping where you help. Looking forward to hearing from you.  We had a great holiday season — ate too much, took naps and watched football.  Life is Good. Laura Borman Sioux Falls and Tree of Life Shalom Zones Threads of Shalom The ‘whole cloth’ of S-H-A-L-O-M is made up of six threads, each describing an essential element in the weaving of new community. ThradsofShalom2 Systemic, Sustainable Transformation S is for the sustainable transformation that requires systemic engagement and structural change. Not simply a quick fix, nor program focused on immediate needs, sustainable transformation is the long-term improvement in community life — social, structural, and systemic changes that last. It often takes a generation to achieve and evaluate, and requires a long-term commitment, Health, Healing, Harmony, and Wholeness H focuses on community health, healing, harmony, and wholeness; Shalom in its fullness — for individuals, communities, and the world. “Health is the state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being…not merely the absence of disease” (World Health Organization). The skill associated with the H in Shalom is how to grow healthy communities by understanding the determinants of health and applying health assets. Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) A in Shalom stands for Asset-Based Community Development — an approach that begins with the existing resources and strengths of a community rather than on its needs and deficiencies. Moving from charity to systemic change requires new ways of thinking about communities and the underlying causes of poverty. ABCD skills help communities identify, mobilize, map, and align internal resources and hidden assets. John McKnight, the originator of ABCD, explains the ABCD process “builds community from the inside out.” This approach enables people to see their community as a ‘glass half full’ of assets rather than ‘half empty’ with needs. Love for God, Neighbor, and Self L is for loving God, Neighbor, and Self. Love is the heart, soul, mind, and strength of the Shalom approach to community development. The skills required are spiritual practices developed over time to demonstrate the ‘value-added’ of Love-in-Action and faith-motivated community development. Organizing for Community Transformation O stands for organizing, a process where people who live in proximity to each other, or who share a common goal come together to form a coalition that acts in their shared self-interest. The practical tools and skills needed to organize for direct action includes how to analyze and work with power, assess self-interests, conduct individual meetings and networking. When speaking about the organizing methods of his movement, John Wesley, founder of Methodism stated, we “organize to beat the devil.” Many Cultures, Many Faiths M in Shalom stands for many cultures and many faiths working together to raise the quality of life in their community. Multi-faith, multicultural, multinational, and multifaceted collaboration can overcome past and present historic preconceptions and prejudices. It is the skill set required in order to mobilize assets, engage in community development, and build Shalom in our communities. By engaging systems, focusing on community health, mapping assets, loving God, neighbor, and self, organizing for transformation, and strengthening multi‐faith, multicultural relationships, Communities of Shalom transform the world, one community at a time. 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Our mailing address is:  Communities of Shalom 12 Campus Drive Madison, NJ 07940 ~~~~~~~