The last 6 months has been a whirlwind of adventure, activities and learning. I’ve been challenged and sustained by seeing youth across the country passionate about living the gospel and using the insight they’ve gained from LPF workshops to become better leaders.

January and February were extremely busy and fruitful months for the youth program and myself. First there was the ELCA Youth Leaders Extravaganza at the end of January in New Orleans. The Extravaganza is an annual gathering of youth leaders from across the country. They come to meet other leaders, share ideas and learn from the workshops, speakers and informational tables. This is the third year that LPF has facilitated workshops on Christian Peacemaking. The youth leaders are enthusiastic about their work and the churches’ youth, it was a great time to meet and spend time with so many of them.

The next week in San Diego, California I led a training with an intergenerational group of Lutherans at the San Diego State University Campus Ministry house. It was inspiring to meet these Lutherans supporting and acting as a resource for each other. In the future we at the LPF national office hope to find ways to better connect with groups doing work at the grassroots. While in San Diego I also had the opportunity to lead a discussion at the Clairemont Lutheran adult forum.

Later in California I attended a facilitator’s training with the Franciscan organization Pace e Bene that developed the From Violence to Wholeness curriculum. I was able to learn more about the program’s theory and practice, and also work on facilitation skills. I practiced new activities on the constructive and resistive elements of nonviolence, and how to educate others on what Gandhi called the two sides of the nonviolence coin. Participants are empowered when they learn that nonviolence isn’t just about attending a protest; there are a variety of ways to be nonviolent in everyday life.

February brought me to Minnesota for the Peace Prize Forum at St. Olaf College in Northfield. Jimmy Carter was the keynote speaker and attendance was over 2,500. I facilitated two workshops to a crowd of area adults and college students. This was a good weekend to share LPF’s work with people already interested and active in peace issues. I also led an intensive training at Gustavus Adolphus College. This was one of our largest trainings where I got a chance to use some of the new exercises learned at the facilitators training earlier in the month.

Much of my work and learning this year culminated in our intensive Leadership Training at the end of June in St. Paul, Minn. The weekend was a great success and included participants from the Midwest, West, and East.

The weekend was a unique opportunity for participants to learn from our training and from each other through discussion and fellowship. A vast array of topics were covered, everything from the history of social movements to nonviolent communication.

We are excited to be expanding this aspect of LPF’s Leadership Training in Peacemaking program and thrilled about sowing the seeds for the next generation of peacemakers in our homes, churches and communities.

picture of Pat

LPF’s 2004-‘05 Youth Trainer, Patrick Edrey, works on his ideal nonviolent community. Pat was able to participant in and help lead sessions at our Minn. Leadership Training, providing him useful preparation for the coming year. An Eau Claire, Wisc. native, he graduated from St. John’s Univ. in Minn. with a major in Peace Studies and minor in theology. Welcome to LPF, Pat!

For information about the LPF Youth Program and how to be part of the youth network contact LPF, 1710 11th Ave, Seattle, 98122, lpfyouth@yahoo.com, 206/720-0313