Communities of Shalom

 

Churches and communities working together to

rebuild and renew community life

 

  

 

Communities of Shalom is a process which enables the necessary help, hope and healing congregations and neighborhoods need to address the internal and external pressures of poverty, racism, lack of vision, limited resources, and demise of the spirit.

Communities of Shalom is an initiative of The United Methodist Church begun in Los Angeles in response to the riotous outbreaks there in 1992.  Now this model has spread to over 350 communities worldwide.

 

The initiative involves churches and communities targeting their resources to change negative forces within their community to positive actions for Shalom wholeness.  Shalom is the Hebrews word for peace and from a biblical understanding is more than the absence of conflict but everything that makes for our highest good.  It is a state of completeness and wholeness in which people, individually and collectively, experience health, prosperity, security, oneness with nature and neighbor, and spiritual renewal.  It is the transforming activity of God bringing salvation to mind, body and soul.

 

Contact:  Sally Vonner, NTC Shalom Conference Coordinator, 972-526-5000 or 800-815-6690   vonner@ntcumc.org.