'Where is Our Peace in this Violent World?': A Community Forum

PALM DESERT, CA — Once again, the subject has dominated the news and the national discourse for the past few weeks--another school shooting.

Columbine. Newtown. Now Parkland. Among many others.

And people continue to ask, "When will it end?"

"Where is our peace in this violent world?"

On Saturday, March 24, the Living Without Fear ministry of St. Margaret's Episcopal Church and the Social Justice Committee of The Church of St. Paul in the Desert will present a community forum entitled "Where is Our Peace in this Violent World?"

Two dynamic speakers, US Congresswoman Jackie Speier and The Rt. Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori, are scheduled to appear at this forum and engage in dialogue with the participants.

Congresswoman Jackie Speier is no stranger to gun violence. As an aide to Congressman Leo Ryan, she was part of the Congressional delegation to Jonestown, Guyana in 1978 where Congressman Ryan was killed. She was shot in the airport ambush and needed multiple surgeries following the attack. While recovering, as her Congressional biography states, "She realized she had a choice to make: Did she want to be a victim or a survivor? She chose to be a survivor." She has served in the House of Representatives since 2008 and is a member of the Intelligence Committee and the Armed Services Committee.

The Rt. Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori served as the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church from 2006 to 2015, and as such, served the Episcopal Church in 17 countries, 109 dioceses and 3 regional areas. As Presiding Bishop, she emphasized the Episcopal Church's mission priorities, including the United Nations Millennium Development Goals, issues of domestic poverty, climate change and care for the earth. Prior to her election as Presiding Bishop, she was the Bishop of Nevada. Today Bishop Katharine serves as the Assisting Bishop for the Diocese of San Diego and continues to be a strong voice on the issues of peace and justice in our society.

This event will take place at the Hope Center on the campus of Hope Lutheran Church in Palm Desert. It begins at 9 a.m. and will conclude by 3 p.m. All are welcome, and participants may register by emailing their name and city to barbara.coryell@gmail.com. A contribution of $15 at the door will help to offset the cost of the lunch which will be provided. Registration is requested by March 21.

For additional information, please contact Meredith Hardy at mlh8108@gmail.com or The Rev. David Burgdorf at dewi1944@aol.com.

— WRITTEN BY: Jim Duke for St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church / Patch file photo by Renee Schiavone