A partnership of peacemakers across the UK, Ireland & North America
The Journey of Hope is a 9 month immersive pilgrimage for Christian leaders to transform themselves and their communities through peacemaking
Who are we?
Reconcilers Together is a community of practice of over 100 committed peacemakers across the UK, Ireland, and North America. Formed through friendship in 2016 by Padraig O'Tuama (Corrymeela), Justine Huxley (St Ethelburgas), Sarah Snyder (Rose Castle), Sarah Hills (Coventry), and Jo Williams (Blackley Centre) - we are people of faith who believe that everyday peacemaking, from a place of our deepest values, can reconcile the fractured relationships between us and ourselves, the Earth, our faith, and with others.
What is it?
The Journey of Hope is a nine month ecumenical Christian pilgrimage facilitated by Reconcilers Together. This isn't a programme - this is a deeply relational journey for 20 participants from the UK & Ireland to explore how to creatively and courageously respond to the fractures of conflict and polarization, cultivating a more relational and resilient society.
From September 2023 to January 2024, participants will meet once a month in person and online; the relationships formed within the cohort will be just as important as the frameworks we will learn. From February 2024 - May 2024 you will be invited to embed your learning in your context with the support of our facilitators and partners. At the end of the 9 months you will be invited to join our intercontinental Community of Practice as Alumni with ongoing coaching, action learning sets, continued professional development, seed grants and regular gatherings.
The Journey of Hope includes:
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6 Learning Modules hosted in person at various locations throughout the UK & Ireland
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Monthly online facilitated Peer Group gatherings based on region with suggested reflection questions
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Three coaching sessions with your coach of choice
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The opportunity to demonstrate your learning from the programme through self-organised community engagement
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Reflective learning & feedback on your community engagement
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Participation in our Community of Practice
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Optional monthly one to one check-ins
Why now?
We stand at a critical juncture in human history. Communities across the UK & Ireland are facing increased social challenges due to polarisation, racism, tension around multiculturalism, economic hardship, political division and the climate crisis. The digital revolution is further contributing to these challenges through echo-chambering, unconscious 'othering', and a fracturing of public trust.
A thriving society is one in which every voice matters, is heard, and is represented; a society in which differences of opinion are allowed and welcomed. This type of society requires an open-minded approach: citizens that are prepared to build relationships with people who are different to them, who are prepared to have nuanced conversations, who are prepared to strengthen the social fabric of our communities rather than to retreat into echo chambers or single identities. It also requires a well connected society, one that has built relationships across a broad and diverse spectrum of people.
Why faith leaders?
Faith leaders play a vital role in our communities as change agents and leaders, responsible for holding space for civic dialogue and engagement across a range of people. As society navigates its way through uncharted waters, faith leaders will undoubtedly face the challenge of increased conflict and division within their own faith groups and wider communities. The growing social tensions will impact them, their roles, members of their faith groups and the wellbeing of the wider community.
Our vison
We want to see faith leaders who are encouraged and re-energised in their role as reconcilers; leaders who are supported to live out the values of their faith, equipped to bridge divides and create communities of belonging; leaders who can call other people into a place of moral courage and civic engagement; leaders who can participate in social healing and cultural repair; leaders who will creatively transform conflict and make peace.
We are inviting you to join Reconcilers Together on a journey of hope: not the kind of hope that simply wishes for change optimistically, but the kind of hope that faces reality, stands in solidarity, and takes radically compassionate action.
2023 Journey
Module 1 - Reconciled to ourselves
September 13th - 15th residential in Cumbria hosted by Rose Castle
September 28th online 12:30pm - 1:30pm
Understanding peacemaking and moving towards contemplation
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Core frameworks:
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Reflective practice
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Core questions:
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From where does our peacemaking emerge and how is it sustained?
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What are the implications of peace & reconciliation work on our bodies?
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What is the role of inner work and trauma informed practice in peacemaking?
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What is a vision for a healthy and resilient reconciler?
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Module 2 - Reconciled to our communities
October 10th - 13th residential in Ballycastle, N.Ireland, hosted by Corrymeela
October 26th online 12:30pm - 1:30pm
Understanding polarization and moving towards conversation
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Core Frameworks:
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Immersive tour of Belfast
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Core Questions:
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How do we come to an accurate understanding of our contexts and what divides it?
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How do we work together to bridge difference and mend divides?
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How do we create authentic spaces for diverse viewpoints?
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How do we remain in relationship through high conflict?
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Module 3 - Reconciled to our faith
November 9th & 10th in Coventry hosted by Coventry Cathedral
November 23rd online 12:30pm - 1:30pm
Understanding the nature of intra and inter faith tension and moving towards communion
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Core Frameworks:
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Core Questions
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How do we come to an accurate understanding of the historical harm that has been done by our faith communities, through theology & action?
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What is a generative understanding of pluralism?
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How do we come to understand the common teachings of our faiths and collaboration in a shared mission of repairing the world?
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Module 4 - Reconciled to Earth
December 6th - 8th residential in Southern England (TBC) hosted by St Ethelburgas
December 21st online 12:30pm - 1:30pm
Understanding the landscape of social & ecological crisis and moving towards courage
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Core Frameworks:
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Core Questions:
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How do we live deeply in relation with Earth as sacred?
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How do we find the courage to confront the crisis we are in?
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How do we grow resilience for ecological and social crisis?
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How do we come together to seek the common good for both people & planet?
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Module 5 - Reconciliation in action
January 11th in London hosted by St Ethelburgas
January 25th online 12:30pm - 1:30pm
Understanding justice & democracy in peacemaking and moving towards civic engagement
Module 6 - Reconcilers Together
May 2024 TBC
Understanding the Community of Practice and moving towards collaboration
Core questions:
How do we work together to grow a movement for peace?
How can the Community of Practice support you in the longterm?
Programme Facilitators
Our learning values
Faith
Rooted in Christian peacemaking, we will explore what our faith teaches of peacemaking & reconciliation. Our way of being together will include scripture & sacred texts, silence & prayer, rituals & rhythms.
Story
Stories will be central - of place, of people, of conflict, of hope. Our participants will be invited to share their own stories, listen to others, and learn to tell new ones.
Skills
From conflict mapping to facilitating difficult conversations, our training will give you the practical tools to gain confidence in peacebuilding and reconciliation.
Action
We will demonstrate what our theories look like in practice and provide structure for you to develop your own community action, including measuring impact.
Relationship
We know that leadership and facing into conflict can be challenging. The training includes peer learning groups, one to one mentoring, and tailored support.
Contemplation
Whether we meet online or in person, our gatherings will include time for personal reflection, embodied practice, silence and connection to nature.
"It is the most precious feeling to have 20+ people watching my back. I feel so bonded and many have described it as a tribe - that's just what it feels like."
"For me it was humbling and affirming to be included in this pilgrimage as someone with minimal experience in reconciliation practice, put alongside people with huge experience and wisdom and influence."
"We have all been so invested in, so supported, so affirmed, so equipped. It is the best possible foundation for the future as I navigate whatever territory God leads me into, and I am MASSIVELY grateful - to God and to all at Reconcilers Together. What a privilege. It's hard to stop raving about it!"
Journey of Hope 2019 - 2022 Participants
Cost
The Journey of Hope pilgrimage is subsidised by our funders. We have 20 places available and have structured payments on an equity scale to make it accessible to a range of people. Our final cohort will include a mix of these payment tiers; our application form includes an opportunity to indicate which fee you are able to pay.
Each fee includes all facilitation, one to one coaching, peer group support, community of practice engagement and food/accommodation for our residential modules. Participants will be required to cover their own transport to each module, as well accommodation for module 3 in Coventry (apart from our bursary places).
We do not want cost to be prohibitive so we welcome conversations around personal circumstances and will do what we can to support you if you are interested in participating.
Tier 1: £1,800
Tier 2: £1,000
Tier 3 (bursary): £300
Expression of interest
We are aiming to gather a diverse cohort of participants who will support one another in their learning and development. We are looking for a range of denominations, ages, ethnic backgrounds, geographical contexts, and conflict issues. The experience within the group will be an important resource for deepening your own reconciliation work and peacemaking. The application deadline is Friday, June 30th but early applications are appreciated. We will be shortlisting and interviewing applicants throughout May, June and July. Participants will be confirmed no later than mid-July ahead of our September start.
We welcome applicants who:
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Have a passion to take action for a more just and peaceful world
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Are a part of a faith or spiritual community
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Can sustainably root their activism in the vision/values of their faith/spiritual community
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Have some experience of community engagement in any form
For more information and a link to the application, please fill out the below: