Chattanooga priest finds ways
to support an end to violence

By the Rev. Jocelyn Bell,
rector at Christ Church, Chattanooga

September 11, 2001, changed me.

My stance has always been anti-war, but as I worked to understand what was happening in our world, I realized that “anti-war” was only the beginning. I heard myself being called to non-violence, a more basic approach to the world.

I have used the writings of Walter Wink, a Pres-byterian theologian, and John Dear, a Jesuit peace activist, to inform my thinking, in adult education sessions and in my preaching. I began to pray regularly for an end to violence in our world, and several special prayer services were held at Christ Church.

In the fall of 2001, my spiritual director gave me a candle lit from the World Peace Flame which was passed around the world at the time of the millennium. At Christ Church, we lit a “peace candle” each Sunday during Advent that year; we provided small candles for people to light and take home and use in their family prayers. Our “peace candle” appeared again at the start of the war on Iraq.

I joined Episcopal Peace Fellowship, and EPF literature is now available in the church’s tract rack. In January this year, Christ and Thankful Memorial churches sponsored “From Violence to Wholeness,” an EPF nonviolence education program.

War talk continued, and my opposition to it grew stronger. I decided that I would stand on a busy Chattanooga corner for an hour one day at lunchtime with an anti-war sign held high. I e-mailed parishioners, other clergy and a few friends inviting them to join me. People forwarded the e-mail to others, including Interfaith Colleagues in Action. A one-day protest became a weekly event. Other groups joined in, and a variety of peace demonstrations were held.

I joined several Internet anti-war groups and signed petitions and sent e-mails. Like many others, I sent a bag of rice to the White House to suggest feeding people, not bombing them. The EPF chapter at St. Joseph the Carpenter in Sevierville and I co-sponsored an EPF display at diocesan convention. Many stopped at the display and took the literature.

The response of my congregation to all of this has ranged from silence to support. I am certain not everyone agrees with me, but my position on war is in line with resolutions adopted by General Conven-tion of the Episcopal Church. I have been clear that opposition to the war is not opposition to our military forces. Prayers for those in the armed services are a regular part of our intercessions at Christ Church, and our Congregational Care committee has been providing support to one young woman whose husband is in Kuwait.

With the war ending, I will continue to work and to pray for nonviolence to become our way of life. I will continue to speak about waging not war, but reconciliation.

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