RJ Ministry Community of Practice > Deepening Circles > November 15

“The synodal process has established a container that is both holding disagreements and – at the same time – building communion.”

^{Christopher Lamb in The Tablet, on October’s Synodal Assembly in Rome}

In order for a restorative encounter to be fruitful, it is important that all involved feel a sense of trust and connection. Restorative practices involve particular approaches to establish containers solid enough to hold “anger, frustration, joy, pain, truth, conflict, diverse world views, intense feelings, silence, and paradox.” (1)

Come share stories, learnings and questions with fellow RJ ministry practitioners! In this Deepening Circle, we will:

• Hear from Holly O’Hara about container building in circle process at Precious Blood Ministry of Reconciliation in Chicago
• Participate in small group circles
• Revisit the Community Agreements co-created for this RJ Ministry Community of Practice

^{(1) Kay Pranis, The Little Book of Circle Processes, p. 9}

Event Details

Wednesday, November 15, 2023 | 7:30–9 p.m. ET (4:30–6 p.m. PT)
This FREE virtual event will take place via Zoom conference. It will not be recorded.

Registration

CMN's Deepening Circles are offered every other month through the RJ Ministry Community of Practice.  Learn more >>

They are recommended for individuals who have some level of experience with restorative justice practices. This can include participating in a prior restorative justice training or introductory workshop, or a circle intensive.

Co-Facilitators

Holly O'Hara is the Director of Communications with Precious Blood Ministry of Reconciliation—a restorative justice ministry on the South Side of Chicago. Her work is to amplify and share the mission of PBMR—to restore human dignity to youth and families impacted by violence and incarceration through radical hospitality, hope, and healing. Alongside communications, she is a peace circle keeper, trainer, and accompanies youth and mothers in the community. She holds a M.A. in Theology from the University of Notre Dame, and has worked in various ministry capacities with youth and young adults around the country. She is originally from Michigan. 

Lucie Martinot-Lagarde is CMN's Restorative Justice Program Manager. A native of France, she graduated with an MA in Conflict Transformation from the Center for Justice and Peacebuilding at Eastern Mennonite University, with a focus on trauma healing.
Lucie has experience living and working in cross-cultural and cross-denominational contexts, serving as a spiritual companion and circlekeeper, and supporting the implementation of restorative practices in public schools.