In the last ten years an estimated one million Americans were shot by a firearm, over 300,000 of them fatally. Many others were beaten, stabbed, assaulted or otherwise physically and verbally abused. All over the world, refugees are risking their lives to flee social discord, terrorism and war. Violence is taking its toll everywhere on the physical, emotional and spiritual health of billions of the world’s inhabitants.
How are we supposed to live in such a violent world? How do we de...
In the last ten years an estimated one million Americans were shot by a firearm, over 300,000 of them fatally. Many others were beaten, stabbed, assaulted or otherwise physically and verbally abused. All over the world, refugees are risking their lives to flee social discord, terrorism and war. Violence is taking its toll everywhere on the physical, emotional and spiritual health of billions of the world’s inhabitants.
How are we supposed to live in such a violent world? How do we deal with the anger and hopelessness that prevents us from living joyfully? What can we do maintain both an inner and an outward-focused peace to enable us to confront evil and violence effectively, both in ourselves and in others?
In this retreat time we will explore the relationship between contemplation and the flowering of peace. We will read and reflect upon ancient wisdom and contemporary writings that confront violence. And we will experience the inner silence that is the root of all prayer and works of justice and peace.
Retreat Leader
The Rt. Rev. Eugene Taylor Sutton is Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland, and formerly Canon Pastor of Washington National Cathedral and Director of its Center for Prayer and Pilgrimage. He is a co-founder of Bishops United Against Gun Violence, a network of church leaders committed to peace-making, and he is a contributor to the book Reclaiming the Gospel of Peace: Challenging the Epidemic of Gun Violence. Bishop Sutton was named by the Center for American Progress as one of “14 Faith Leaders to Watch” for his faith-led efforts to promote nonviolent solutions to conflicts.
