About DPFKC
Beginnings
In 1935, 75 people concerned about peace met at the Convention of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in San Antonio, Texas, to form the Disciples Peace Fellowship (DPF). For more than 70 years, DPF has been keeping alive the passion for peace and justice. Disciples Peace Fellowship is an independent organization affiliated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Since 1935, DPF has served as a leaven within our denomination and in the larger community, pressing for action toward the elimination of war, giving support to conscientious objectors and fostering the use of nonviolence in interpersonal and intergroup relations. The original covenant of DPF includes working to abolish war and to create the conditions of peace and justice among all people and nations. Disciples Peace Fellowship recognizes that to work for peace, we must work for justice. That work centers on both education and action.
"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God." - Matthew 5:9
The Story of DPF in KC
The founding meeting for DPFKC started on Peace Sunday with a Peace Feast on December 7, 1986, at 5pm in Community Christian Church. Following meaningful worship with Garnet Day, DPF national Executive Secretary, and David Downing, national President of DPF for 1987, thirty persons submitted applications and dues to become the first members of the Kansas City DPF chapter.
Walter L. George was the first editor and publisher of the “Voice of the Turtle” taking its name from Song of Solomon 2:12 “The flowers appear on the earth, the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land.” (KJV) Other versions substitute turtle dove. Some of the first quotes in this quarterly newsletter were as follows:
“Speak, move, act in peace, as if you were in prayer. In truth, this is prayer.” - Francis de S. Fenelon
“A peace is of the nature of a conquest; for then both parties nobly are subdued, and neither party loser.” – William Shakespeare
During that time John Humbert, Minister-President of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) was jailed in Washington, D.C., after taking part in a protest rally and worship service in the nation’s capitol rotunda, protesting our government’s involvement in Central America.
The DPFKC held a peace-message balloon release on Sunday August 30, 1987 at the Red Bridge Christian Church. Brent Schondelmeyer was the Chairman of the DPF Steering Committee. VG Cuppy took over newsletter responsibilities in 1993 about the time that Ron Faust became a convener for the group.
Actually the group is a consensus of peacemakers, humbly serving and often nameless, with strong leadership from the attendance of Jonne Long, Helen Nelson, Alan Barr, Jerry Porter, and Jeff Hon. Different persons swing in and out such as Susan Heim Davis, Ruthann Shetler, Bob Hill, Tom Blakley, Bob George, Toni Faust, and AC Cuppy through the 2000-10 decade.
