2016 Brethren Ministers’ Association Annual Conference Directed Independent Study Unit   “Walking Toward Peace”   Presenter:  John Dear, author and peace activist   SYLLABUS       Debbie Roberts, Instructor           roberde@bethanyseminary.edu               Contact: 909-455-4766 cell       Required Reading       Note:  These readings should be completed before Annual Conference, except for The Nonviolent Life, which will be distributed at our first meeting before the pre-Conference event.       Your choice of one text written by John Dear (he has written approximately 30 texts)       The Nonviolent Life, John Dear, Pace e Bene Press, 2013 (distributed at Annual Conference)       Article about his dismissal from the Jesuit Order in 2014 in the National Catholic Reporter http://ncronline.org/news/peace-justice/john-dear-jesuit-known-peace-witness-dismissed-order   Become familiar with John Dear’s nonprofit website, campaignnonviolence.org       Suggested Reading       Dear’s autobiography, A Persistent Peace: One man’s struggle for a nonviolent World, Loyola Press, 2008           Course Objectives   1.      To explore the connotations of John Dear’s theme,” Walking Toward Peace, “ in the contexts of ecumenical  and Church of the Brethren ministry as well as one’s current vocational setting   2.      Through Dear’s lectures, readings, discussions and participant’s own disciplined deliberation, to explore actions of nonviolent action in the midst of Christian community   3.      To articulate one’s own vision of the above through assignments and in discussion with the pre-Annual Conference community   4.      To imagine how one’s ministry might change/grow with Dear’s vision of nonviolence in mind   5.      To imagine together how our churches and spiritual communities might become active centers of active nonviolence   Requirements   Before the Annual Conference gathering:   1.      Write a 1-2 page paper with your initial understanding of nonviolence and how it intersects with your ministry, as well as any nonviolence training you may have.  This paper will be shared with the class at our initial meeting.   2.      Write a 2-4 page paper with your reflections on the John Dear book of your choosing.  How do you imagine you might make use of this material in your own vocational setting in regards to working for peace.  What questions did the reading elicit?           During the Annual Conference gathering:   Tuesday, June 28, 4:15 pm-5:15 pm   Meet at Old North for the DISU students’ gathering   The Nonviolent Life, John Dear’s book, will be distributed.   1.      Be present for lectures and discussions throughout the pre-Conference gathering.  Your regular and engaged presence is necessary in order for you to receive credit for the DISU   2.      Be willing to engage in conversation with our group before and after the gathering regarding your reflections on the reading material, the lectures and accompanying dialog, as well as your journey of engagement.  What was most compelling for you?  What was more difficult?  With what concepts are you willing/wanting to struggle?  Where do you disagree?  Etc.   Wednesday June 29, 4:00 pm-5:00 pm   Meet at Old North for the DISU students’ gathering       After the Annual Conference gathering:   1.      Choose one of Dear’s lectures and write a 3-5 page reflection paper on how you might engage his theme in the context of your work or your vocational interests.  How were you challenged?  What points would you like to further engage as possibilities for transformation and action in your community?  What further discussion would you like to have with the presenter?   2.      Gather a small group for discussion of John Dear’s work of nonviolence (can be as few as two-three persons either face-to-face, or through an internet setting – Skype, Google+, etc.).  Describe for the group his themes and read together excerpts from the pace e bene website, campaignnonviolence.org. Discuss the following questions:   What might Dear’s description of nonviolence in action look like in your local context?  How might you engage ecumenical partners?  What kind of impact would you hope for in your community?  Write a 3-4 page reflection essay describing your experience with the group and the outcome of your discussions.  (Use the first page or less, to offer background information on your group as you begin the essay).   3.      In 2014, John Dear was dismissed from a 32 year vow to the Jesuit Order, due to disagreements between him and Jesuit leaders regarding his work for nonviolence.  Through your own deliberations of his lectures and your own reading of his ideas, and through discussion with colleagues and friends, what is a healthy process of disagreement and how might you discern the appropriate response to strong disagreement?  This kind of discernment process is important given the current disagreements among those in our own denomination.  Write a 2-4 page paper explaining your process of discernment and some of the conclusions you draw.  Reference Dear’s lectures and his writing, and other sources you might use as appropriate.