2022 DPF Peace Interns

Reflecting on CAMPDD at Craigs Springs

This past week I was in the beautiful state of Virginia at Craig Springs CAMPDD Camp, working with youth interested in art, drama, dance, music, and culinary, all of us sharing out gifts and interests to worship God and be in community with each other. During this week we broke boundaries, stereotypes, and labels that this world puts on us and connected closer with our Divine Creator. Connecting deeply and authentically to who has God made us to be and how do we fully live into our full, unique, beautiful, messy selves! We used our imagination to create a world where everyone is cared for, loved, and celebrated! We worshiped God, not just through songs, prayer, and scripture reading, but also with love and relationship building, with listening, empathy, and courageous conversations! 

Sharing just one word that could describe my past week would be, thankful. The feeling of thankfulness that you feel deep in your gut, deep in your soul. The thankfulness where you can’t stop saying to God, “Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!” The feeling of thankfulness that sprouts from the unending love that God promised us with his child Jesus Christ. The love that is so strong, it almost hurts because it is so powerful! It is weeks like this past week I have had at camp that make me understand the poetic and celebratory scripture of Psalm 100. *text has been edited to be gender-inclusive*

“Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth.

Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.

Know that the LORD is God. It is she who made us, and we are hers; we are her people, the sheep of her pasture.

Enter God’s gates with thanksgiving and their courts with praise; give thanks to them and praise their name.

For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.”
— Psalm 100

This week had me shouting prayers of thanksgiving, quite literally, and it is weeks like I had at Craig Springs that reminds me that peace and justice work is not just about workshops and educating, but it is also about love, care, relationships, and thankfulness which keeps us powering through!

Training Week

The 2022 Peace and Justice training week can be partially articulated through the words of John Buchanan, “To live for a time close to great minds is the best kind of education.”  The twelve days spent in worship, meditation, and communion with my fellow interns was truly a schooling like no other. God truly blessed me to be in the presence of not simply great company, but great minds! 

Erin, Isaac, and I were also able to mutually energize, stretch, and empower one another as fellow interns before beginning our individual journeys. This has strengthened my confidence for the road ahead beyond words! Coupling that with the opportunity to meet with just a few of God’s uprising leaders expanded our knowledge of the Disciples Ministry.

Each session allowed us to go deeper into the foundation of how Peace and Justice issues are promoted and exercised in the world we live in today. The topics included Refugee and Immigration matters, minority representation, climate change, social injustices, anti-racism training, and the Disciples Ministries dedicated to improving them.  Such as NAPAD, Alliance Q, Green Chalice, and National Convocation just to name a few.

Our trainers taught healthy boundaries, research development, social media communication tips, workshop creation, bible study outlines, and small group presentations. Mostly emphasized were self-care techniques to improve and maintain our positive mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being while attending so many camps over the summer.

The major lessons I will take to camp with me this summer is to remember to pace myself, recognize when I am tired, and to not be Super Woman all the time. 

I will leave you with a quote from Jean Rostand, “A few great minds are enough to endow humanity with monstrous power, but a few great hearts are not enough to make us worthy of using it!”  Peace and Justice solutions are not just a culmination of great ideas, but the continued actions that are performed through ‘loving your neighbor as yourself.’  Each Peace and Justice matter from Socio-Economic injustices, Social injustices, Racial injustices, Ecological injustices, Political injustices, to gun violence, refugee crisis, child abuse and neglect and body autonomy can be repaired from this remedy alone.

Once we learn to respect our personal inadequacies. We can then recognize the beauty in all of humanity. Which will then afford us the grace and continued mercy that follows us ALL our lives!!

Here I Am

Here I Am

Here I Am

When I first sat down to reflect on these past two weeks, thinking about where I am currently after Disciples Peace Internship’s Training Week and Resource Development Week, all I could think of was 4 words. Well, here I go.

Starting off this summer I was feeling ready to go, excited for a new journey. Training week was incredible, as I was able to learn, question, create, reflect, and discuss with my fellow peace interns, as well as other fellow Disciples and social justice workers. I wanted to go through this week taking in as much as I could, study as much as I could, and prepare as much as I could.  

Each day came and went, learning and growing, picking out resources, creating ideas, making workshops and activities for this summer. Until all of the sudden, training week is over, resource week is over, and I am sitting in my bunk bed the night before I travel to my first camp in Kentucky, papers sprawled all along the bed and floor, checking my packing list over and over, planning my drive, making sure I had all of my resources, preparing for the near journey ahead of me, and I found myself feeling frustrated. I groaned and thought to myself, “Why am I frustrated?”. I did not want to feel frustration, I wanted to only feel happiness, excitement, that little bit of nervousness that comes with the excitement. I wanted to feel courage and start this summer with my head held high, knowing I am to teach and learn about peace and justice. Then I realized, instead of feeling courage, fear made a home in my mind and heart. I finally had to take a deep breath, I welcomed the tears and said the words out loud, “I am scared”, and not only am I scared, but I am frustrated that I am scared.  

Sitting in my fear and frustration, praying to God, arguing with God, and arguing with myself, I felt a calling to open my bible. So, I did, and I read Exodus 3, specifically Exodus 3:1-7, Moses and the Burning Bush. I kind of giggled, deciding to read this story, the story I have heard over and over again since I was a young child in Sunday School. The story that has been repeatedly illustrated to me in books and movies, but I read it, and upon reading this passage, I noticed something. When Moses finds the Burning Bush, he hears God calling to him and replies. “Here I am.” Moses places himself, his full self, mind, body and spirit in front of God, acknowledging God’s calling for him. Yet, it isn’t until God shows their full selves saying, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.”, that Moses then is fearful and hides. Moses did not express his fear when he saw the burning bush, or when he heard God’s voice. Instead, he felt fear when God revealed more. 

That night, sitting in my bed, I started to see more and more of God’s calling that was being put on my heart, and like Moses, I was scared. I wanted to hide my face from the fear. But what comes after the fear? What comes after the learning and teaching and doing? What comes after we tell God, “Here I am.”? Justice, equality, and peace. The good and spacious land, flowing with milk and honey, God promised to end the suffering.

I know this summer will be filled with challenges, worries, anxieties, and you guessed it, fear, but I also know and hold that this summer will be filled with peace, justice, friendship, fellowship, and love.

As I head into this journey, knowing there are others following their own callings God has placed on their hearts, knowing there are others struggling, seeking peace and justice in this world, knowing that fear is present, I say to them and to myself:

Peace be with you.

Training Week Reflections

2022 DPF Peace Interns Isaac Ackerman, Sophia Barnett, and Erin Gresham with Training Week Trainers Rev. Carol Devine (Minister for Green Chalice) and Terri Hord Owens (Disciples General Minister and President)

The Peace Intern summer always begins with Training Week -- an intentional time of preparation and education where the Peace Interns meet with leaders from the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), justice advocates, and peace activists. Training Week is all about getting the Peace Interns ready for their summer serving as ambassadors for peace and justice. Here are Isaac's reflections on Training Week 2022.

Meet Sophia Barnett, 2022 DPF Peace Intern!

It is, it will be, it has been a wondrous and prosperous day. I send you much love and blessings.

Thank you for wanting to get to know a bit more about me. The cleverest way I can imagine doing so is to modestly introduce you to my inspiration: My Children!

My oldest is DeMarien aka D’Money aka Mari who is almost nineteen. He is very spiritually in tune, has a great understanding of life, and still allows himself time to just be. He has huge financial goals and still has love for the game (sports/video alike). Mari is a natural born leader, protector, and dedicated to his friends and family.

Next, is Kai. Most of you may know him as Lorrie. Kai is almost eighteen. He is extremely sweet, caring, and loving. Kai seemingly always puts others before himself. They have a plethora of business ventures and creative ideas. Kai is an introvert with a heart of gold that forgives easily.

Finally, the true boss baby of the bunch, Ailani aka Lani. Born with a natural ability to create with her hands. She has been sewing and drawing since she could hold a writing instrument! She has a genuine love for organization, art, and music. Lani is a born matriarch who sees the good in all even when frustrated.

And me: I am Minister Sophia M. Barnett, she/her pronouns, and my children represent every part of me! I was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan. I spent all my life growing up on both sides of the Motor City. I am currently a member of Full Gospel Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) where I became a licensed Minister in 2015 under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Gwendolyn Pettway. 

I currently own and operate several businesses: Wisdom Financial Management, Inc., Flowering Follicles LLC All-natural hair, skin, and body oil, M.A.C.C. Burgers Co., and the Making a Child Change Foundation. Through my non-profit, I have an opportunity to reach and teach teens who are interested in an entrepreneurial lifestyle so that they can gain the skills, background, and capital to start such ventures before graduation. Teens in our program also receive firsthand job experience as part-time employees at my restaurant M.A.C.C. Burgers Co. Not only do they receive high school required hours of service, but for every dollar earned we match and fund their college fund as well as the account for their future business. Our goal is that upon graduation the young adult is prepared for whatever journey they choose to take!

So why an internship now? Why Peace and Justice? In this season of my life, I am merging my passion to elevate the African American community beyond the strategic socio-economic injustices and my purpose to lead humanity to a Spiritually fulfilling life. This summer will allow me to connect with resources that will expand my reach to create change across the USA and then the World!!

Lastly, I am excited to meet other young people to listen to their concerns about peace and justice. The only way to know what the cries of the next generation are is to be there to catch their tears. You do not have to wipe them or come to the rescue to make them stop flowing. Just simply be an ear to listen. Open and receptive. I expect to learn a tremendous amount of wisdom from these youth and young adults. And I pray I may give them an example of being the change you wish to seek!

Meet Erin Gresham, 2022 DPF Peace Intern!

Hello everyone!!

My name is Erin Gresham, pronouns she/her/they/them.

I grew up in the Disciples of Christ denomination, dedicated and a member at Mackinaw Christian Church. I remember being taught in bible school about the unending amount of love God gives us and Jesus came to earth to remind us of that unending love and how we are in turn to love others.

I took that love as giving a smile, being nice and friendly, and I thought that was enough.

As I grew up, I started to realize God was calling me to love others and myself by seeking and learning about injustices, not just in our world, but the injustices happening in our own church. Soon, I found myself in environments of justice ministry, learning what social justice is and what does it have to do with the church? I believe what I found from diving into that question, opened up a door for me to work in social justice ministry.

I decided to enroll in seminary to learn more about this calling God put on my heart. I am currently at Phillips Theological Seminary in Tulsa, Oklahoma, seeking a Master of Arts (Social Justice) degree. Through my education, experiences, and personal ministry, I have learned I have a strong passion for environmental justice, LGBTQ+ justice, and mental health awareness. This summer I plan to focus on creating conversations and ideas about, what does it look like when we live a sustainable communal lifestyle?

In other words, how can we live in a way that takes care of ourselves, takes care of others in our own communities, while caring for the earth at the same time. How do we move towards wholeness in this fragmented world?

Commissioning the 2022 DPF Peace Interns

Peace Intern Training Week began with the Peace Interns joining the folks at Allisonville Christian Church for worship.

At the 9:30AM Traditional Service and the 11AM Contemporary Service our friends at Allisonville not only welcomed the Peace Interns but also offered a Commissioning Prayer and Blessing upon them.

Here is the full text of the Commissioning Prayer:

A Commissioning Prayer for the 2022 DPF Peace Interns

The Disciples of Christ Peace Fellowship is a ministry of our denomination whose mission is to “live out the Gospel imperative for peace and justice.” The Peace Interns are young adults who provide educational and program support at church camps and other church-related assemblies and events about peace and justice issues. They will serve as counselors, teachers, and resource-people- modeling the life of peace-makers for youth and adults alike wherever they go. This year, there are three of them, Sophia Barnett, Isaac Ackerman, and Erin Gresham.

This week and next week, the Peace Interns will be staying at the Retreat House here at Allisonville Christian Church while they undergo their training for the summer and have time to develop the resources that they need to complete their ministries around the country.

As they go forth on their journeys in peace and justice this summer, may we offer this prayer of blessing over these three young people as they carry out their mission and ministry.

Let us pray…

 

Holy One,

   you are the source of all blessings,

   the center of justice,

   the wellspring of hope. 

 

We give you thanks for the 2022 DPF Peace Interns:
Sophia Barnett, Isaac Ackerman, and Erin Gresham. 

 

We ask that your guiding hand might be upon them this summer as they go forth as Ambassadors for Peace and Justice. 

   Open their hearts.

   Inspire their witness.

   Safely guide their journeys. 

   Give them courage, strength, and resilience. 

   Bless them with compassion and grace, insight and understanding. 

 

We are grateful for the unique paths that each one of them has followed to this moment. We are thankful...

   for their passion,

   for their enthusiasm,

   for their prophetic voices,

   for their hope,

   for their dedication,

   for their faith,

   for their willingness to serve.

 

In a life-changing summer filled with any number of unknown twists and turns we know that you will be with them every step of the way. May they be surrounded by the love and support of their siblings in the faith who care for them and want only the best for them. 

 

When they feel alone,
may they know the power of your presence, and the grace of extravagant welcome and unexpected kindness.

 

When they feel exhausted,
may they find times of rest and renewal, knowing that in order to nurture the souls of others we must feed our own spirits.

 

When they feel discouraged,
grant them glimpses of the fullness of your Kin-dom where justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream.


We humbly ask that their example might inspire others, that their work might bring about a deepening of faith, that their workshops and projects might ignite passions for social change, and that they might embody the Gospel imperative for Peace and Justice in everything they say and do.


We pray these things in the most holy name of your Son, our Savior, Jesus the Christ who is the Pioneer and Perfecter of our Faith, and the one we declare the Prince of Peace.


In Christ's name, Amen. 


Peace Intern Training Week!

For the first time since 2019 Peace Intern Training Week is happening in person this year!

DPF would like to thank all of the church leaders, peace activists, and justice partners who are helping to equip and prepare the 2022 DPF Peace Interns for their summer of service. Erin, Sophia, and Isaac we pray that you have a wonderful Training Week filled with inspiration, fellowship, courage, joy, and preparation!

The Peace Interns arrived on Saturday May 21, and this week they’ll be meeting with General Minister and President Rev. Terri Hord Owens, NAPAD Executive Pastor Rev. Chung Seung Kim, Obra Hispana National Pastor Rev. Lori Tapia, National Convocation Interim Administrative Secretary and Associate General Minister Rev. Yvonne Gilmore, and DHM Interim President Rev Sheila Spencer. 

They will also spend time in trainings and sessions with Anti-Racism, Pro-Reconciliation Trainers Rev. Yvonne Gilmore and Rev. Bentley Stewart, Healthy Boundaries Trainer Rev. Dr. Jim Higginbotham, Workshop Development Trainer Rev. Sarah Zuniga, Small Group Facilitation Trainer Rev. Tiffany Curtis, Spiritual Disciplines and Self-Care Trainer Rev. Randy Kuss, Peace Practices Trainers Krista Johnson Weiksel, and Justice Bible Study Leader Rev. Stephen Yarbrough. 

Plus they will have sessions with our partners at AllianceQ (Rev. Sara Nave Fisher), Green Chalice (Rev. Carol Devine), Disciples Immigration Legal Counsel (Natalie Teague), Disciples Women's Ministries (Rev. Angelé Saunders Johnson, OGMP (Rev. Cara Gilger), Global Ministries (Bethany Guy),  Disciples Refugee & Immigration Ministries (Rev. Dr. Sharon Stanley Rea), Ministries Across Generations (Rev. Dr. Olivia Bryan Updegrove, and Disciples Public Presence (Rev. Dr. Laurie Pound-Feille). Blessings to you all!

AND everyone at DPF would like to offer a HUGE thank you to Allisonville Christian Church who opened up the Guest House for us and will be Commissioning the Peace Interns in worship on Sunday May 22! Thank you all!

Meet the 2022 DPF Peace Interns

The 2022 DPF Peace Intern Summer is right around the corner!

Peace Intern Training Week will begin in Indianapolis on May 21! After spending a week of intentional preparation featuring training sessions led by denominational leaders and peace/justice advocates, the Peace Interns will spend their summer serving on camp staff at in-person Church Camps throughout the country AND having weeklong remote work projects that they do alongside justice ministry partners. The Peace Intern experience will continue through the end of the first week in August.

Disciples Peace Fellowship is overjoyed to introduce Isaac Ackerman, Sophia Barnett, and Erin Gresham as our 2022 DPF Peace Interns. Keep following this space (disciplespeace.org/follow-the-interns) for updates from the Peace Interns detailing everything they are up to this summer.

In the meantime, here is a small introduction for each of them!

Erin Gresham
(she/her/they/them)

Erin Gresham is a student at Phillips Theological Seminary in the Master of Social Justice program (MASJ).

Erin was born and raised in Mackinaw, IL and is a lifelong member of the Disciples of Christ calling Mackinaw Christian Church as their home congregation. A former XPLOR Resident, Erin lived and served in the DFW Metroplex while a part of that program.

Erin has a great passion for social justice in many areas, but they are most passionate in Queer rights and ministry. Erin writes, "Jesus fought for justice so there can be peace for all. Peace is a promise, a promise that the storms in our life have an end, a promise that we grow, a promise that we are loved."

Sophia Barnett
(she/her)

Sophia Barnett is part of the ministry team at Full Gospel Christian Church in Detroit. Born and raised in Detroit, Sophia is an avid traveler and entrepreneur with a passion for economic justice.

In addition to her work at the church, Sophia is a Financial Counselor, Restaurateur, Author, Teacher, and Hair/Skin Care-Expert.

Sophia writes, "I am interested in the DPF Peace Intern Program because I understand you have to be the change you wish to seek." Her areas of interest are Socio-economic injustices and rebuilding generational wealth within the African-American community. Sophia currently lives out that mission through her non-profit the Making A Child Change Foundation, and through her financial counseling firm Wisdom Financial Management.

Isaac Ackerman
(he/him or they/them)

Isaac Ackerman is the Head Resident at Disciples Divinity House at Vanderbilt Divinity School. Isaac is studying in the a Master of Divinity program with a concentration in religion and economic justice.

Isaac's Hometown is Morton, IL -- the pumpkin capital of the world! A graduate of Eureka College, they spent the year after university teaching English in Korea before returning to the states to be part of the XPLOR program in North East Ohio!

In describing their hopes for the summer, Isaac writes, "I see camps and conferences as deeply prophetic spaces. I come alive when we set a time to dream and rest from our typical lives and let our imaginations begin to wonder what we could do differently in the world."