Ann Worth and Andrew Fairbanks, eleven years of age, members of our congregation, spoke of their two weeks with the twelve eleven year-olds from Jerusalem (Katie Krupnick, Sarah Rhodes and Alex Melton of All Souls also participaated in the two weeks).  They spoke of learning about these 'kids' traditions and faiths.  The twelve from Jerusalem were Jews, Christians and Muslims, Palestinians and Israelis.  These twelve lived on separate sides of 'The Wall' in Jerusalem and now were at summer camp together, and our kids were with them.

     At camp, they researched each others faiths and presented what they learned to the whole group.  They had an Abraham tent where they displayed objects and texts of their various traditions.  They also swam together, did crafts together, played soccer and did white water rafting.

     Kid s4 Peace is an organization founded at St. George's College in Jerusalem whose mission is bringing together young people from that area.  They have the audacious belief that people who actually know each other tend to relate differently to each other than persons who can simply objectify one another.

     They began this work earlier in this decade and already have young persons who are becoming young adults among their 'alumni'.  These young adults have stories of how this program has informed their living, their choices as young adults.

     I encourage you to visit their site.  More of our young people will be participating in their summer camp this year.  It is a financially costly endeavor to bring a dozen kids from Jerusalem along with adults to have time together here in the states.  And the cost of not bringing these kids together?

     As we contemplate what makes for reconciliation and peace, I am drawn to the witness of Kids 4 Peace and the witness of our own kids.  What we find in their story, and in Jesus, is the reminder there is no reconciliation apart from incarnation, humans and God meeting one another in the flesh.

Todd Donatelli

Episcopalians for Global Reconciliation | Kids 4 Peace Home

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