blessed are the peacemakers
I have a right
I have a responsibility
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to be a peacemaker
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to build up the church
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to address my own concerns directly with the appropriate person or
group
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to utilize an appropriate process to deal with differences
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to listen to others
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to treat others with respect and dignity
The following process for addressing conflict (based on Matthew 18) has the unanimous endorsement of the rector and vestry:
1. Address any concern and seek resolution directly with the person with whom there is a concern.
2. If the concern is not resolved to satisfaction, seek a neutral party to facilitate the conversation.
3. If the concern is not resolved to satisfaction, request permission to address the concern to the
vestry and rector.
4. If the concern is still not resolved to satisfaction, make a determination whether one can live in
peace with the situation as it is or whether one needs to withdraw from the parish and seek another community of faith.
Lord,
make us instruments of your peace. Where there is hatred, let us sow
love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is discord, union;
where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there
is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy. Grant
that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be
understood as to understand; to be loved as to love. For
it is in giving that we receive; it is pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
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