Friends from throughout the United States gathered in Connecticut on October 26, 27 and 28 for a wonderful weekend.   Participants celebrated Plowshares accomplishments of the past 25 years and recommitted to living as peacebuilders through partnership with Plowshares and by serving as agents of reconciliation in their own communities.  

The weekend included many opportunities for friends to reconnect and learn more about Plowshares work through traveling seminar reunions and a public lecture at the University of Connecticut by Dr. Hafid Abbas, the first Director General for Human Rights Protection in the Ministry of Law and Human Rights for Indonesia.

The October 27 banquet celebration drew 120 Plowshares supporters from 15 states ranging from California to Florida to New Hampshire, including members of 7 Plowshares Council Member Churches.  A slide show of the highlights of Plowshares past and future missions was combined with fine food, motivating table sharing and inspiring music. Friends and Board members toasted Plowshares contributions to shaping public policy, influencing new standards for theological education, and educational experiences that changed lives for participants from their 20s to their 70s. Theological insights on the crucial role of women and the extraordinary wisdom and hospitality of marginalized people and communities were also shared in personal toasts.

Following the celebration dinner, Dr. Abbas, Bob Evans, and Alice Frazer Evans focused on Plowshare’s present and future work in Indonesia and China during a moderated panel discussion. The discussion was stimulated by a video presentation by Christine Loh, former Hong Kong parliamentarian and founder of Civic Exchange, an influential Hong Kong think tank.  The evening concluded with an energetic challenge to continue to live as advocates of justice and agents of reconciliation, with many participants expressing interest in attending future traveling seminars and conflict transformation training opportunities.   

With Plowshares characteristic educational focus, October 28 included a dialogue with Dr. Abbas which focused on his action plans for human rights promotion and holistic development programs that are setting new standards for the advocacy of democracy, reform and reconciliation.  A mini-immersion experience in inner-city Hartford reminded participants of the challenges of poverty, discrimination and inadequate educational opportunities in our urban centers and the hope and vision sustained by programs, individuals and organizations serving the city.

We thank all of you who in your presence, your letters, or your contributions helped make this celebration a time of reconnection and renewal.  A commemorative 25th anniversary newsletter will be mailed in December and will include quotes and images from this wonderful celebration.

View our 25th anniversary commemorative newsletter!