Alternatives to the Military in the Peace Churches

 By IPN Coordinator

 

Although the U.S. doesn’t currently have a draft, it is still important for those possessing a conscientious objection to serving in combat/ going to war to be prepared.  Generations before me had to deal with the draft, so there are stories about alternative service I have heard from my elders.  Serving in the Des Moines hospitals was a thing in the 60’s (and later) and men both from Iowa and as far away as Pennsylvania served together.  I am told it varied from draft board to draft board (in counties and states) for how far away one would be required to go from home.  Other places a generation went to before, during WWII, included experimental farms in Minnesota and Michigan.

Volunteer service doesn’t need to take the place of a draft, it may be just an experience one is seeking.

The peace churches represented in Iowa Peace Network, the Church of the Brethren, Iowa Yearly Meeting of Friends (Conservative), the Iowa Yearly Meeting (Friends United Meeting), the Mennonite Church, and the United Methodist Church all have programs for young adults looking for volunteer service.  This is a little overview of each of these.  It should be said older adults are also encouraged to participate and some churches have different programs for older adults.

Several of us as coordinator or members of the Joint Oversight Committee (IPN board) have served in BVS (Brethren Volunteer Service)- the Church of the Brethren volunteer program; utilized by Brethren and non-Brethren alike.  At least one did alternative service in leu of being drafted.   I served a summer at Casa de Esperanza de los Ninos in Houston, Texas (a foster care program).  Jon Krieg, a member of the JOC, served in BVS in Washington DC with The Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty, not for alternative service, but for the experience.  He is now a Friend.  Keith, the treasurer, worked as an orderly at the Methodist Hospital in Des Moines in the 1960’s, moving from the farm to do this for two years.   Others of us have also served. 

As stated, the Brethren volunteer program is Brethren Volunteer Service.  The programs in the Friends are Friends Peace Teams and Quaker Voluntary Service, as well as a program with AFSC- Emerging Leaders for Liberation.  The program we’re focusing on in the Mennonite Church is Mennonite Central Committee, and the programs in the United Methodist Church are United Methodist Volunteers in Mission, and NOMADS.  I will look into each of these in more depth.

Brethren Volunteer Service was “born” in the summer of 1948 at the Church of the Brethren Annual Conference (national/ international conference).  Youth brought it to the table to discuss and approve of starting with help from visioner Dan West (who also started Heifer Project.)  There are many projects one may go to- most partner with established organizations in need of long-term volunteers. 

 The Church of the Brethren is where my membership is, and growing up I was always seeing the year’s BVS booklet- a listing of all the projects available this coming year.  After application one chooses three projects they’re interested in, maybe in order of interest, and they are usually assigned to one of those.  Domestic projects are 1 year, and international programs are 2 years.  A good reference for learning more about BVS and especially the history of it and a collection of reflections and stories from past BVS’ers is “A Year of Living Differently,” by Jim Lehman.  For a time, college students could apply to spend a summer at a BVS project, funded by Eli Lilly.  That is how I spent a summer in Houston, as stated above.  Also, as an aside, BVS continues to host German young adults, choosing BVS over conscription in Germany.  It may be used for their alternative service.

International projects this year include placements in Ireland at the East Belfast Mission – a food justice project combining East Belfast Mission and the Laider Food Hub and Foodbank, and a project at the Greenhill YMCA in Newcastle, Northern  Ireland.  Other international projects include Fundacion Brethren y Unida in Quito, Ecuador- focusing on development. 

Domestic projects include Food for Greater Elgin- a small non profit serving over 154,000 people a year.  Christ House in Washington DC is a 24-hour residential medical facility for homeless men.  Camp Courageous in Monticello, Iowa is also a project -a year round facility offering respite care and programs for over 6,000 individuals with disabilities a year.  There are many, these are just to give a sample. (Information here from brethren.org/bvs/projects)

Friends Peace Teams Is a program by the Friends.  According to their website it is a Spirit-led organization working to develop long-term relationships with communities in conflict around the world to create programs for peacebuilding, healing, and reconciliation.  It was established in 1993.  After witnessing the suffering in Bosnia and Herzegovina, they wanted to make every Friends Meeting and church a center of peace, and reach out to people suffering from war and violence everywhere.  The placements at Friends Peace Teams include justice and peace workers on regional teams, student interns, and they have speaking capabilities too, on various issues.  Internships can be found by schools (colleges) and then those could be proposed to Friends Peace Teams.   (info from friendspeaceteams.org/about/#organization) 

Other things FPT does include Alternatives to Violence Project (AVP)- which include workshops that provide in -depth training in Transforming Power.  “Power of Goodness” publishes stories of how nonviolence and reconciliation work and develop Alternatives to Violence (AVP) mini workshops to spread the message of justice and peace.  They also work with Trauma Healing- one of these projects is in Rwanda.  They work on Economic -Climate Justice, Peace Libraries, AVP Trauma Resiliency.  They work around the world in West Africa Great Lakes Region, Asia West Pacific, Europe-Middle East, and North America and Latin America (Peacebuilding las Americas.) Volunteers are expected to cover transportation and personal expenses during the stay.   (info from friendspeaceteams.org/getinvolved/#travel)

 Two other opportunities for Friends (and friends) exist.  One is Quaker Voluntary Service.  It was started in 2009 with young adult Friends “carrying the leading” that has become QVS (Quaker Voluntary Service).  They convened a national consultation on Quaker service sponsored by Pendle Hill and Friends General Conference Youth Ministries Program.  It is a year-long experience, and they now have Houses in Atlanta, GA; Philadelphia, PA; Portland, OR; Boston, MA; and now also Minneapolis/ St. Paul, MN.  The Minneapolis/ St. Paul house just opened in 2018.  Their mission:  “Quaker Voluntary Service enables lives of prophetic service.  We support and empower young adults to explore their spirituality and vocation while living in intentional Quaker community.  We increase the capacity of social change organizations and we partner with Quaker meetings and churches, building leadership for the Religious Society of Friends and the world beyond.”  Two examples of placements include “Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon” and “Material Aid and advocacy program” (an organization protecting the unhoused.)    Another great AFSC option for young people is Emerging Leaders for Liberation. The deadline for their next round of applications is March 8. Visit https://afsc.org/forms/emerging-leaders-liberation-ell-application.  (Info on QVS at quakervoluntaryservice.org)

Mennonites also have a program.  Mennonite Central Committee is a relief service and peace agency representing 15 Mennonite, Brethren in Christ, and Amish bodies in North America.  U.S. headquarters are in Akron, PA- Canadian headquarters is in Winnipeg, Manitoba.  (Wikipedia.org).  For over 100 years, MCC has shared God’s love and compassion for all through relief, development, and peace.  Whether assisting displaced families, helping farmers, or teaching conflict resolution, MCC empowers communities to meet local needs and to build peace. (Info from mcc.org/whatwedo)

Some paid openings currently includes a thrift-shop associate in Survey Thrill, British Columbia, PMER Coordinator in India.  In India, for example, MCC works across sectors including conservation agriculture, peacebuilding, education, health, and emergency.  Another international project includes one in Gaza. Another paid position includes Build Meals Coordinator in Appalachia- Elkhorn, KY. (mccglobal.my.site.com/MCCJobs) 

There are also opportunities for volunteer programs for young adults (mcc.org/get-involved/young-adult and mcc.org/getinvolved/volunteer/salt)  IVEP- International Volunteer Exchange Program, is a year-long cultural exchange and volunteer work opportunity for international young adults.  

Seed is a two year program that brings together young adults ages 20-30 from around the world to reflect, serve, and work for peace.  Programs are in Bolivia, Columbia, Zambia, and Africa-Great Lakes Region. 

Seek is a 6- month Christian discipleship program for young adults ages 18-20, and SALT (serving and Learning Together) is a year-long cross-cultural service experience for Canadians and U.S. citizens.  Placements include Classroom and Health Assistant at Samuelita Daycare in Santa Cruz, Bolivia and Refugee Services Officer at St. Andrews Refugee Services in Cairo, Egypt.  Domestic projects include summer service and Appalachia Build- a  home repair ministry in eastern KY and W. Virginia.

Last, the United Methodist Church (UMC) has a program called UM Volunteers in Mission (UMVIM).  It was started in the 1970’s.  They say, “United Methodist Volunteers in Mission is a grass-roots movement of United Methodists who seek to put their “Christian love in action.”  Volunteers can serve in short-term missions locally, nationally, and internationally.  Lay and clergy, young and old, with differing abilities, and vocations.  Tens of thousands UM’s engage in short-term missions every year in ministries as varied as disaster response, community development, pastor training, micro-enterprise, agriculture, VBS, building, repairs, construction, and medical/ dental services.”  (umvim.org/whatisumvim)

Projects include things such as working at the Arizona Immigration Advocacy Center- working in education and advocacy in Tucson, AZ. 

Most projects are a 3-5 day project for groups up to 12.  An example of that is a project called “Child Reintegration Centre” in Sierra Leone.  The work involves medical, educational, or pastoral training.  This Sierra Leone project is for adults. 

Other examples abound.  One is a project in Hondurus- with opportunities in construction, health, education, repairs, and pastoral training in Tegucigalpa.  Another example is in Hope, Alaska, replacing rotten exterior logs, repairs, installing kitchen floor and bathroom floor, and replacing a shower stall.  In Iowa, there are placements at  CFUM  (Children and Families Urban Movement) here in Des Moines, Matthew 25 in Cedar Rapids, and Wesley Woods Camp and Retreat Center.  (umvm.org/projects/search)

Last is NOMADS- older adults can travel by RV:   “Nomads On a Mission Active in Divine Service.”  Volunteers provide labor for historically Methodist organizations- to demonstrate God’s love “through our work and by listening to the people with whom we work we do construction, remodeling, repairs for churches, children’s homes, camps, colleges, outreach missions, and disaster rebuilding.” 

NOMADS is for people who: are looking for retirement with a purpose, enjoy traveling by RV, want to share their Christian faith, and enjoy using their skills in service to others.  They encourage 6 hours a day/ 4 days a week, and there is no minimum projects per year.  (methodistnomads.org)

It is indeed wonderful to see all the work for the “least of these” and one another that happens through these different programs of the member bodies of Iowa Peace Network:  Brethren Volunteer Service, Friends Peace Teams and Quaker Voluntary Service, Mennonite Central Committee, and United Methodist Volunteers in Mission and NOMADS. Lutheran Volunteer Corps https://lutheranvolunteercorps.org/volunteer/ And Jesuit Volunteer Corps: https://jesuitvolunteers.org/ as well as Peace Corps and Americorps, and others are probably all good options, as well, but more information on those is beyond the scope of this survey.