Journey of Hope
A 9 month pilgrimage to support individuals as they seek to reconcile relationships between themselves, their faith, the Earth, and others in order to transform communities.
“The planet does not need more successful people. But it does desperately need more peacemakers, healers, restorers, storytellers, and lovers of every kind. It needs people who live well in their places. It needs people of moral courage willing to join the fight to make the world habitable and humane.”
David Orr
The Journey of Hope is a 9 month immersive pilgrimage for
Christian leaders to transform themselves and their
communities through peacemaking.
** APPLICATIONS CLOSE FRIDAY JUNE 30TH **
What is it?
The Journey of Hope is a nine month ecumenical Christian pilgrimage facilitated by Reconcilers Together. This isn’t a programme – it is a deeply relational journey for 20 participants from the UK/Ireland to journey together and explore how to creatively and courageously respond to the fractures of conflict and polarization, cultivating a more relational and resilient society.
Reconcilers Together is a community of practice of over 100 committed peacemakers across the UK, Ireland, and North America. Formed through friendship in 2016 by Padraig O’Tuama (Corrymeela), Justine Huxley (St Ethelburgas), Sarah Snyder (Rose Castle), Sarah Hills (Coventry), and Jo Williams (Blackley Centre), we are people of faith who believe that everyday peacemaking, from a place of our deepest values, can reconcile the fractured relationships between us and ourselves, the Earth, our faith, and with others.
From September 2023 to January 2024, participants will meet once a month in person and online; the relationships formed within the cohort will be just as important as the frameworks we will learn. From February 2024 – May 2024 you will be invited to embed your learning in your context with the support of our facilitators and partners. At the end of the 9 months you will be invited to join our intercontinental Community of Practice as Alumni with ongoing coaching, action learning sets, continued professional development, seed grants and regular gatherings.
The Journey of Hope includes:
- 6 Learning Modules hosted in person at various locations throughout the UK & Ireland
- Monthly online facilitated Peer Group gatherings based on region with suggested reflection questions
- Optional monthly one to one check-ins
- Three coaching sessions with your coach of choice
- The opportunity to demonstrate your learning from the programme through self-organised community engagement
- Reflective learning and feedback on your community engagement
- Access to an online collection of shared resources
- Participation in our Community of Practice
Why now?
We stand at a critical juncture in human history. Communities across the UK & Ireland are facing increased social challenges due to polarisation, racism, tension around multiculturalism, economic hardship, political division and the climate crisis. The digital revolution is further contributing to these challenges through echo-chambering, increasing unconscious othering, and a fracturing of public trust.
A thriving society is one in which every voice matters, is heard, and is represented; a society in which differences of opinion are allowed and welcomed. This type of society requires an open-minded approach: citizens that are prepared to build relationships with people who are different to them, who are prepared to have nuanced conversations, who are prepared to strengthen the social fabric of our communities rather than to retreat into echo chambers or single identities. It also requires a well connected society, one that has built relationships across a broad and diverse spectrum of people.
Faith leaders play a vital role in civil society as change agents and leaders, responsible for holding space for civic dialogue and engagement across a range of people. As society navigates its way through uncharted waters, faith leaders will undoubtedly face the challenge of increased conflict and division within their own faith groups and wider communities. The growing social tensions will impact them, their roles, members of their faith groups and the wellbeing of the wider community.
We want to see faith leaders who are encouraged and re-energised in their role as reconcilers: leaders who are supported to live out the values of their faith, equipped to bridge divides and create communities of belonging; leaders who can call other people into a place of moral courage and civic engagement; leaders who can participate in social healing and cultural repair; leaders who will creatively transform conflict and make peace. We are inviting you to join Reconcilers Together on a journey of hope: not the kind of hope that simply wishes for change optimistically, but the kind of hope that faces reality, stands in solidarity, and takes radically compassionate action.
2023 programme
Pilgrimage beginning
September 7th online 12:30pm – 2:00pm
Understanding one another and moving towards connection
Module 1 - Reconciled to ourselves
September 13th – 15th in Cumbria hosted by the
Rose Castle Foundation & Iona Community
With a online peer group session September 18th
12:30pm – 1:30pm
Understanding peacemaking and moving towards contemplation
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Core frameworks:
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Reflective practice
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Core questions:
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From where does our peacemaking emerge and how is it sustained?
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What are the implications of peace & reconciliation work on our bodies?
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What is the role of inner work and trauma informed practice in peacemaking?
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What is a vision for a healthy and resilient reconciler?
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Module 2 - Reconciled to our communities
October 10th – 13th residential in Ballycastle,
N.Ireland, hosted by the Corrymeela Community
With an online peer group session October 25th
12:30pm – 1:30pm
Understanding polarization and moving towards conversation
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Core Frameworks:
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Immersive tour of Belfast
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Core Questions:
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How do we come to an accurate understanding of our contexts and what divides it?
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How do we work together to bridge difference and mend divides?
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How do we create authentic spaces for diverse viewpoints?
- How do we remain in relationship through high conflict?
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Module 3 - Reconciled to our faith
November 9th & 10th in Coventry hosted by
Coventry Cathedral’s Reconciliation Ministry
With an online peer group session November 23rd
12:30pm – 1:30pm
Understanding the nature of intra and inter faith tension and moving towards communion
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Core Frameworks:
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Core Questions
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How do we come to an accurate understanding of the historical harm that has been done by our faith communities, through theology & action?
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How do we reconcile difference in the Church or the parts of our faith that feel incongruent with what we believe?
- How do we come to understand the common teachings of our faiths and collaboration in a shared mission of repairing the world?
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Module 4 - Reconciled to Earth
December 6th – 8th residential in Chettle, Dorset
hosted by St Ethelburgas Centre for Reconciliation & Peace
With an online peer group session December 21st
12:30pm – 1:30pm
Understanding the landscape of social & ecological crisis and moving towards courage
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Core Frameworks:
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Core Questions:
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How do we live deeply in relation with Earth as sacred?
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How do we find the courage to confront the crisis we are in?
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How do we grow resilience for ecological and social crisis?
- How do we come together to seek the common good for people & planet?
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Module 5 - Reconciliation in action
January 11th in London hosted by St Ethelburgas
Centre for Reconciliation & Peace
With an online peer group session January 25th
12:30pm – 1:30pm
Understanding peace & democracy and moving
towards civic engagement
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Core Frameworks:
- Restorative Justice with Place for Hope
Module 6 - Reconcilers Together
May 2024 TBC
Understanding the Community of Practice and moving towards collaboration
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Core questions:
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How do we work together to grow a movement for peace?
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How can the Community of Practice support you in the longterm?
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Our Learning Values
Faith – Rooted in Christian peacemaking, we will explore what our faith teaches of peacemaking & reconciliation. Our way of being together will include scripture & sacred texts, silence & prayer, rituals & rhythms.
Story – Stories will be central – of place, of people, of conflict, of hope. Our participants will be invited to share their own stories, listen to others, and learn to tell new ones.
Skills – From conflict mapping to facilitating difficult conversations, our training will give you the practical tools to gain confidence in peacebuilding and reconciliation.
Action – We will demonstrate what our theories look like in practice and provide structure for you to develop your own community action, including measuring impact.
Relationship – We know that leadership and facing into conflict can be challenging. The training includes peer learning groups, one to one mentoring, and tailored support.
Contemplation – Whether we meet online or in person, our gatherings will include time for personal reflection, embodied practice, silence and connection to nature.
Cost
The Journey of Hope programme is subsidised by our funders. We have 20 places available and have structured payments on an equity scale to make it accessible to a range of people. Our final cohort will include a mix of these payment tiers; our application form includes an opportunity to indicate which fee you are able to pay.
Each fee includes all facilitation, one to one coaching, peer group support, community of practice engagement and food/accommodation for our residential modules. Participants will be required to cover their own transport to each module, as well accommodation for module 3 in Coventry (apart from our bursary places).
We do not want cost to be prohibitive so we welcome conversations around personal circumstances and will do what we can to support you if you are interested in participating.
TIER 1: £1,800
TIER 2: £1,000
TIER 3 (BURSARY): £300
Journey of Hope 2023 expression of interest
**APPLICATIONS CLOSE FRIDAY JUNE 30TH**
For full information visit www.reconcilerstogether.com
Please ensure you view our Terms and Conditions and Refund Policy.
