Civil Discourse

Equip yourself for more constructive political conversations using Make Me an Instrument of Peace: A Guide to Civil Discourse, the From Many, One campaign, and more. Help bridge partisan divides, learn from others, and enlarge the sacred space for debate.

Make Me an Instrument of Peace: A Guide to Civil Discourse

Brought to you by the Office of Government Relations and Department of Faith Formation, in partnership with ChurchNext, a ministry of Forward Movement, this interactive, five-part curriculum offers hope that by using the tool of civil discourse, we can find new ways to love our neighbor.

Four ways to engage:

1. Take the interactive course complete with videos and discussion boards on your own: Make Me an Instrument For Individuals
2. Take the interactive course as a group–the same material, but set up for facilitators to engage with a group. Make Me an Instrument For Groups
3. While the full curriculum experience is available on ChurchNext’s website in the previous links, with discussion forums, quizzes and supplemental material, you can access just the videos here. 
4. Download the original PDF to use in your congregation or ministry. Each session includes specific instructions for group or forum leaders, and interactive components including prayers, discussion questions, and activities aimed at utilizing group settings for entering into deeper reflection on the primary themes. Supplemental material include Voices from the Church and the Curriculum Appendix.

The ChurchNext versions of the course is offered free of charge for the first 2,000 students and available on-demand.

From Many, One

What do you love? What have you lost? Where does it hurt? What do you dream? 

“From Many, One: Conversations Across Difference” is a campaign inviting Episcopalians and our neighbors to engage in one-to-one listening and sharing across the many differences that separate us.

Echoing the Latin phrase on the U.S. seal – E Pluribus (“from many”) Unum (“one”) – and following in the footsteps of Jesus, we trust that the spiritual practice of conversation across difference can help to knit us all into a diverse, more perfect union.

Explore these pages to find information on how to engage with From Many, One: Conversations Across Difference. You can find explanations for each of the questions, suggestions on going deeper, and additional resources to keep your conversations going. 

Misinformation, Disinformation, Fake News: Why Do We Care?

Misinformation is a significant contributing factor to our strained conversations, yet we can mitigate its impact and spread. As Christians, we are not called to a life of half-truths and deception. We are called to follow a God who is “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). The Prayer Book also teaches that among our duties to our neighbors is “to be honest and fair in our dealings” and to “speak truth, and not mislead others by our silence.” (pg. 848)

Let us therefore examine our own conduct to limit the spread of deceitful information and call upon our leaders to work towards the same. Learn more and equip yourself to recognize and overcome misinformation in this critical resource.