(619) 262-1988 |
 People of Faith for Restorative Justice |
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New Name for Joining Hands Network The Joining Hands Network has declared its identity through a name change to “People of Faith for Restorative Justice.” This name more clearly defines what its members want to be and what they want to do. As discord erupts in one area after another in nations and between individuals, we are convinced that there are SOME THINGS GOVERNMENTS CANNOT DO.
****Please see our newsletter for further information: . Bringing the message of reconciliation and peace is what people of faith are called to do. RJMP resolves to continue sowing seeds of peace prayerfully, locally, one by one, by assisting mediations at times when victims of crime are dealing with the aftermath of a crime. As a Chinese philosopher, Lao Tse, once wrote:
If there is to be peace in the world, There must be peace in the nations. If there is to be peace in the nations, There must be peace in the cities If there is to be peace in the cities. There must be peace between neighbors. If there is to be peace between neighbors There must be peace in the home. If there is to be peace in the home, Yhere must be peace in the heart.
People of Faith for Restorative Justice was initiated by clergy, lay, and religious leaders to provide a collaborative spiritual basis for the work of the Restorative Justice Mediation Program in San Diego. Margi Secor is the contact person that PFRJ relies on from the First Church of the Brethren of San Diego. The following is a detailed mission statement and organizational information on our network:
Statement of Purpose and Responsibilities: People of Faith for Restorative Justice is a group of clergy and/or laypersons formed by the Restorative Justice Mediation Program (RJMP) of San Diego County for the following purpose: 1) Promoting the mission of RJMP by coordinating and uniting member faith communities as an ad hoc group to broaden the basis of restorative justice within local congregations by providing resources for their education, by: 2) Increasing an understanding of, and commitment to, forgiveness, confession, repentance, and reconciliation, with a focus on healing, a concern for justice, and a commitment to facilitating rather than overpowering. 3) Calling the faith community to apply the mission of reconciliation to those hurt by criminal acts: the victim, the offender, and the community by encouraging involvement and financial support for the local RJMP witness. 4) Encouraging an annual worship service emphasizing peace and justice that gives recognition to its members who have been involved in mediation. 5) Increasing an understanding of the needs of persons caught both as victims and as offenders within our criminal justice system structure and their need for the kind of assistance only the community can give. 6) At times providing a sounding board for RJMP, increasing its likelihood of remaining true to the Biblical vision for victims and offenders.
Appointment: Each participating faith community is asked to appoint one or more persons, clergy or lay, as a contact, who wishes to help in developing restorative justice within the congregation and in its outreach. Agreement: We strongly encourage an agreement with your church board (elders, presbytery, or vestry) that will give support to your advocacy as a contact person. In some cases, your work may precede such an agreement. In other cases the agreement comes first. Our committee will meet with the proper person (often clergy) for this.
Responsibilities of the Contact Person: 1) Serving as a resource and an advocate for restorative justice in the congregation 2) Providing feedback with comments, questions, and news of the development of restorative justice to the PFRJ committee at any time. 3) While most of our networking will be carried on through email, the PFRJ committee strongly encourages a very occasional network gathering where contact persons, (or their representatives), may become acquainted, share inspiration, questions, and any needs or ideas that may have surfaced. As God’s people, we have a special calling to make the ways of justice and peace more available in our world. It begins within our own circles. This committee believes that when relationships develop, and hearts and minds converge, there the Lord is in our midst. Pat Perry, Board Member, (619- 216-8630), Shirley Ferrill, District Director of Global Ministries (UMC) 619-267-2516, Pearl Hartz, Founder of RJMP in San Diego (619) 298-1941. |
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