Creating a Culture of Ordinary Goodness

Creating a Culture of Ordinary Goodness: What rural Mennonite Pastors and Congregations today can learn from the rescue efforts of the village of Le Chambon and Pastor André Trocmé during WWII

Presenter: Matthew Peterson

During World War II, the French town of Le Chambon, a small, conservative, agricultural, town in rural France, played a central role in the rescue operation of as many as 5,000 refugees, including 3,500 Jews. André Trocmé, who was a pacifist and the pastor at the French Reformed Church in Le Chambon during this time, played a critical role in inspiring these rescue efforts. This workshop will examine what Mennonite pastors and congregations, particularly in rural areas, can learn from Trocmé and the villagers of Le Chambon including:

• The use of the pastorate as a form of resistance
• The role of Scripture and Bible study groups in nonviolent resistance
• How Anabaptist history can encourage rural congregations to assist outsiders, immigrants and refugees today

Pastors and congregations will gain ideas on how to help create a culture of ordinary goodness in their own congregations from the work and efforts of Trocmé and the villagers of Le Chambon.