By Jason Crosby, ICPJ program coordinator

[NOTE: Jason closed the ICPJ Annual Meeting on March 22 by inviting participants to participate in this call-and-response litany]

Leader: This work is hard.  It is demanding and time consuming.  But, it must be done.  Will we recommit ourselves to working for peace and justice?

We will.

Leader: This work can cause tensions and rifts.  This work can drive wedges between people.  But, this work needs us to stick together.  Will we dedicate ourselves to doing our best to work together?

People: We will.

Leader: This work for peace and justice is more effective when we embrace and respect diversity.  Will we recommit ourselves to embracing and respecting difference?

People: We will.

Leader: This work requires creativity.  This work demands that we push ourselves to look for new possibilities.  This work requires us to break out of the status quo.  Will we dedicate ourselves to thinking and acting creatively for peace and justice?

People: We will.

Leader: This work for peace and justice requires faith and hope that a better tomorrow is possible.  Will we dedicate ourselves to find sources of faith and hope in our lives?

People: We will.

Leader: This work for peace and justice needs inner peace.  Will we recommit ourselves to promoting peace both within and without?

People: We will.