“We are undone” - a reflection on the 500th anniversary of the Anabaptist movement
Are we a “peace church”? A leading producer of avant-garde “peace theology”? Founders of a globally significant “peace organization”? The ultimate apologists for Christian non-violence? I long to see “non-violence” begin to refer not only to our refusal of military service and our migrations to avoid conscription, but to the work of naming and identifying our own violence, hearing from those who have been harmed by it, confessing and rejecting it, and repairing the harm it has caused….
When stories of marginalization, betrayal and pain – carefully documented and courageously shared – can be honored and believed in our communities as part of our very “catechesis,” then our communities can become places where “harm is repaired and offenders are held accountable.”
The 6 Rs of restoration and healing
Remembering is truth-telling, remorse is to feel the pain and the loss or the trauma that was caused. And then repent to ask for forgiveness. Our repair helps us reach out to heal and restore what was broken. And if you stumble on any of them in the process, go back! - Elona Street-Stewart
Q&A about Anicka and John’s legal proceedings with the Québec labor board (CNESST)
It really bothers us when MCC states or implies that we have “declined to participate” in mediation opportunities, or refers to the ongoing legal proceedings as a way to suggest that we have non-restorative intentions or are constraining MCC to communicate with us only through a legal process that we have initiated.
John Clarke and I took this opportunity to write to board members to once again clarify our motivation for filing complaints to the Quebec Labour board, and our ongoing desire for restorative conversation outside the purview of the legal process.
Proposed revisions to MCC whistleblowing policy will cement power of HR and further muzzle those with complaints
The bottom line seems to be something like this: “If you see anything that seems to be wrong, you must report it, but only to us, and we won’t tell anyone, including you, or even MCC leaders, what we will do with your report. If you report concerns in any other way, you will be in violation of policy and could be fired.” HR Directors will know everything, and no one else will know anything.
How is this “having our theology, alternative dispute resolution processes and restorative justice principles help inform policies, procedures and organizational culture as we care for the people who serve with us”?
