Speaking Peace Dear Friends in Christ, I have just returned from a train- ing workshop entitled Com- municating for Peace and Pur- pose. It was an introduction to the principles of Nonviolent Speech. The workshop leader, The Rev. Trisha de Beer, has ex- tensively studied the work of Dr. Marshall Rosenberg. Rosenberg has developed an extensive the- ory of non-violent speech along with many training methods and practical approaches to chang- ing both our ability to recognize violence in speech and to coun- ter that violence with positive communications rather than “giving as good as we get.” The purpose is to short circuit the escalating exchanges of violent, dysfunctional and unproductive communications and replace them with exchanges that foster empathy and peaceful resolu- tion. The session was given for Edu- cation for Ministry (EfM) group mentors and was, therefore, pre- sented in a thoroughly religious context. All of the participants (about 50:50 lay and clergy) were Episcopalians. Much of our appreciation for nonviolent communication was, therefore, grounded in the words and com- munication styles of Jesus. However, given that Jesus was not living in a time of multiple cable news outlets and internet social media, there is only so far that the references to Jesus can carry us as we attempt to “speak peace” in our modern context. The training was extensive and there were many elements to be understood and practiced. First, we worked on understanding how conversation and commu- nication become disconnected and life alienating. These were described as the five “D” words: Diagnosis (as in making judge- ments, criticism, and moral cri- tique); Denial of responsibility for words or actions; Demands (Continued on page 3) May 2017 The Episcopal Church in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania From the Rector The Rev. Dr. Herbert Sprouse Inside this issue: From the Rector 1 Pennsylvania Hope Ride 2 Episco-Pals 2 HSM&CS 2 Big Brothers & Big Sisters 3 Prince of Peace Publicity 4 Wetzer Scholarship Application 5 The Episcopal Church and Social Justice 6 Pancake Day 6 Music Notes 7 Soup Kitchen Fundraiser Concert 8 Personal Reflection by Jean Siderio 8 Politics, Facts & Civility 10 Mark Your Calendars 10 Flower Dedications 11 Round of Prayer 12 Birthdays and Anniversaries 12 The Memorial Church of the Prince of Peace
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Speaking Peace
Dear Friends in Christ,
I have just returned from a train-
ing workshop entitled Com-
municating for Peace and Pur-
pose. It was an introduction to
the principles of Nonviolent
Speech. The workshop leader,
The Rev. Trisha de Beer, has ex-
tensively studied the work of Dr.
Marshall Rosenberg. Rosenberg
has developed an extensive the-
ory of non-violent speech along
with many training methods and
practical approaches to chang-
ing both our ability to recognize
violence in speech and to coun-
ter that violence with positive
communications rather than
“giving as good as we get.” The
purpose is to short circuit the
escalating exchanges of violent,
dysfunctional and unproductive
communications and replace
them with exchanges that foster
empathy and peaceful resolu-
tion.
The session was given for Edu-
cation for Ministry (EfM) group
mentors and was, therefore, pre-
sented in a thoroughly religious
context. All of the participants
(about 50:50 lay and clergy)
were Episcopalians. Much of
our appreciation for nonviolent
communication was, therefore,
grounded in the words and com-
munication styles of Jesus.
However, given that Jesus was
not living in a time of multiple
cable news outlets and internet
social media, there is only so far
that the references to Jesus can
carry us as we attempt to “speak
peace” in our modern context.
The training was extensive and
there were many elements to be
understood and practiced. First,
we worked on understanding
how conversation and commu-
nication become disconnected
and life alienating. These were
described as the five “D” words:
Diagnosis (as in making judge-
ments, criticism, and moral cri-
tique); Denial of responsibility
for words or actions; Demands
(Continued on page 3)
May 2017
The Episcopal Church in
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
From the Rector The Rev. Dr. Herbert Sprouse
Inside this issue:
From the Rector 1
Pennsylvania Hope
Ride 2
Episco-Pals 2
HSM&CS 2
Big Brothers & Big
Sisters 3
Prince of Peace
Publicity 4
Wetzer Scholarship
Application 5
The Episcopal Church
and Social Justice 6
Pancake Day 6
Music Notes 7
Soup Kitchen Fundraiser
Concert 8
Personal Reflection by
Jean Siderio 8
Politics, Facts &
Civility 10
Mark Your
Calendars 10
Flower
Dedications 11
Round of Prayer 12
Birthdays and
Anniversaries 12
The Memorial Church of the Prince of Peace
Page 2 The Episcopal Epis t le News and Notes
Pennsylvania HOPE RIDE
Jim and Ellen Thomas
are cycling 170 miles
from Hershey to
Kutztown and back to
raise funds for the
American Cancer So-
ciety. The event is
called the PENNSYL-
VANIA HOPE RIDE, and they will be riding
with about 100 other cyclists. The money
raised supports cancer research as well as the
Hope Lodges, where patients and their fami-
lies stay for free during treatments. Please
support them with a donation. Donations
may be left with Carolyn Fouts in the church
office.
The bicycle ride leaves from the Hope Lodge
in Hershey on June 24. On the first day riders
have the choice of a 70 or 100 mile course to
Kutztown University. The next day they re-
turn to Hershey via a different 70 mile route.
It seems everyone knows someone who has,
or had cancer. Jim and Ellen will be riding
for Mother Bonnie, Hunter Smedley (Ellen’s
dad), Francie Witts (Ellen’s aunt), Chuck
Doyle, Bill Horton, Tom Butler, Ron LoDico,
and Kathy Kerr. Let Jim and Ellen know
who your donation is in memory of, and they
will add their names to those listed
above. Riders wear the names on their jer-
seys.
Episco-Pals
The first large group Episco-Pals dinner will
be held at the home of Carolyn and Fr. Rich-
ard G. on Sunday, May 21, at 5:30 p.m. The
main dish and beverages will be provided.
Please sign up in the parlor and indicate a
dish to share. If
you would like to
co-host, please
sign up in the par-
lor also. Co-hosts
assist with the
beverages or main
dish and help with
set up and clean
up. Thanks to all
who hosted and
participated in our
small group din-
ners in April.
Twenty-seven people attended. The photo
shows the wonderful desserts shared by all in
Stahle Parlor after the small group dinners.
High Street Marching and
Chowder Society
Mark Your
Calendars!
When: Thursday,
June 29
Time: 6 pm
Cost: $10.00
Where: Ben’s Deck
Agenda: Chowder, Chicken and Cheer
All men of the Memorial Church of the
Prince of Peace are expected to attend. Sign
up will be available in Stahle Parlor begin-
ning June first.
Photo Courtesy Jane J.
made through threat or coercion; Deserve
language springing from power imbalances,
privilege or a sense of entitlement; and De-
monization (characterizing “the other” in
ways intended to blame or demean). There
can be no denying that in our culture and in
our politics over the past couple of years, we
have experienced more than enough of these
five “D” words to last us each a lifetime.
To counter the impact of violent communica-
tion and break the downward spiral of retalia-
tory speech, we were taught four important
steps: Observation without judgement,
which allows us to step back from the emo-
tional fray and attempt to actually hear what
lies behind the speech that we are receiving;
Recognizing and owning our own feelings in the moment, again without assuming that
we understand those of the other party; and
Naming our own needs in the conversation,
so that we can begin to understand our own
reactions. Finally, we were taught to make a
request of the other person, rather than hold-
ing to a goal of changing their minds or caus-
ing them to agree with our point of view.
Each of these steps is designed to bring the
person practicing them much closer to empa-
thy with those who are practicing violent
speech as well as allowing us to respond to
the other person and the context, rather than
reacting in anger or fear.
I realize that this seems very abstract in this
brief telling, and of course the descriptions
above only scratch the surface of what we
were taught and had an opportunity to prac-
tice. The “take away,” however, is this: rec-
ognizing our own feelings and needs in the
presence of violent speech leads us to re-
spond with respect and empathy while we al-
so strategically work around the absolutes
and ultimatums of the violent speech itself. I
am convinced that these are teachable and
practical skills that would stand all of us in
good stead during our current season of vio-
lent, demeaning, fear-mongering and demon-
izing speech. And so I would be very interest-
ed in hearing from each of you whether you
would like to learn more about communi-
cating for peace and purpose. If there is inter-
est, I would be happy to bring resources and
expertise to the parish for that purpose.
You have heard me say on several occasions
that our name, Prince of Peace, is our destiny
as a community of faith. Living into our
name begins with learning how to listen em-
pathetically and speak peace in even the most
challenging situations. This is certainly the
Way of Jesus in which we are born to walk.
As always, I am yours in Christ,
Fr. Herb
Big Brothers and Big Sisters The Big Brothers and Big Sisters of York and
Adams Counties are currently looking for
adult volunteers as mentors for their program.
For more than 100 years, Big Brothers Big
Sisters has operated under the belief that in-
herent in every child is the ability to succeed
and thrive in life. As the nation’s largest do-
nor and volunteer supported mentoring net-
work, Big Brothers Big Sisters makes mean-
ingful, monitored matches between adult vol-
unteers (“Bigs”) and children (“Littles”), ages
(Continued on page 6)
Page 3 The Episcopal Epis t le News and Notes
From the Rector (continued from page 1)
Page 4 The Episcopal Epis t le News and Notes
Pancake Day Principal Sponsor
American Legion Post 202 Gettysburg was the principal sponsor of the Prince of Peace’s An-
nual Shrove Tuesday Pancake Day. Shown here are Joe Yeck, Post Commander, along with
the Post’s Officers, presenting a $1,000 donation to the Rev. Dr. Herbert Sprouse, Rector of
Prince of Peace. The net proceeds for this event will support three local charities: Gettys-
burg Soup Kitchen, Gettysburg C.A.R.E.S. and Ruth’s Harvest. Pictured from left are Ken-
neth Wetzel, historian; Paul Wypijewski, 1st vice commander; Lewis Jones, adjutant; Fr.
Herb; Joe Yeck; Don Billoni, finance officer; Richard Kelly, Sergeant-at-Arms; and Peter
Hogaboom, chaplain.
Habitat for Humanity
Our Fr. Herb recently presented a
$1,000 donation from Prince of Peace
to Pete Ricker, President of the Ad-
ams County Habitat for Humanity
Board, and board members, for sup-
port of their operations.
Photo by Darryl Wheeler/Gettysburg Times
The Episcopal Epis t le Page 5
WETZER SCHOLARSHIPS In 1998, the Hilda Wetzer Scholarship Fund was established at Prince of Peace. Hilda was a longtime member
of our church. When she died, she bequeathed a sum of money to Prince of Peace with the stipulation that it be
used for academic scholarships for the “youth” of Prince of Peace.
Applicants must be active members of Prince of Peace pursuing an undergraduate degree. Both full-time and
part-time students are welcome to apply. Applications will be approved by the Vestry. Scholarship monies
will be sent to the recipient’s college at the beginning of the school year. The application deadline is June 22,
2017. If you have questions, please contact Robert Gough or Hal Ehart.
WETZER SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION
Please complete the information requested below and return the application to the church office by June 22, 2017
Please type or print clearly
Name __________________________________________________________________________________