This article is from the EMU News Archive. The approximate date of publication was in November 2001. Current EMU news is available at www.emu.edu/news

TO PRESS RELEASES | BEYOND SEPT. 11

Professors' CD Shares "Dream" Response
to Terrorism and War

Two Mennonite professors responded to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and its aftermath with a story and a song. And now the story and song are available on a compact disc, titled Dream the Light. Ten days after the terrorist attacks, singer Herm Weaver and storyteller John Paul Lederach were scheduled to emcee the "variety show" at the annual fall retreat of their congregation?Community Mennonite Church in Harrisonburg, Va. They knew they had to address the disaster and its aftermath at the retreat. Over the years, both have tried to work on the questions of how reconciliation and healing actually happen in human relationships?and they think stories and songs are powerful ways to do that. Dr. Lederach drew on his own experiences by telling a story at the church retreat about how a high school changed the world by learning Arabic and reaching out to Middle Eastern people in their community. "This is a true story," he said, "except for the parts that haven?t happened yet."

Dr. Weaver accompanied the story with a song by Peter, Paul & Mary?"Weave Me the Sunshine." When he and Lederach decided to produce a CD, he wrote his own song?"A Dream of the Light." Weaver is assistant professor of psychology at EMU. His avocations include singing and songwriting. He is also a former pastor and roofer. Lederach, founder of EMU?s Conflict Transformation Program, is currently professor of international peacebuilding at the Joan Kroc Institute of International Peace Studies at Notre Dame. He continues part time at EMU as a distinguished scholar.

The two repeated their performance at the annual convention of the Mennonite Secondary Education Council, at Eastern Mennonite High School?s fall spiritual renewal week and at an EMU chapel service. The story has led to action by students in several schools. In one high school, 75 students have started Arabic lessons and established a sister-school relationship with a high school in the Middle East. They also invited Arab residents of their community to speak to them and gathered blankets to send to Afghan refugees. "This CD is a small response to the escalating cycles of violence," said Lederach. "We don?t have answers to the complex questions facing us. We do have faith. We have faith in a loving God and that small actions make a difference." Added Weaver: "We have faith in children and that we can find our way back to community, family and being the children of God across this globe we share. We have faith in dreams that lead to action." The CD is especially appropriate for youth groups in churches, communities and schools. The CD can be purchased for $6 at the EMU bookstore?(540) 432-4250?or by going to the website created by Weaver and Lederach?www.dreamthelight.com. --Steve Shenk