My train itinerary says I leave the Bay Area this Wednesday. I’m not sure I believe it because that means I have been here for a full year. Further, I am not sure I believe it because that means I must face the prospects of being unemployed on Monday.

Still, it is true. My year of voluntary service with the Mennonite Church, and Pace e Bene Nonviolence Service, has reached its inevitable conclusion. Now is the time for watery eyes, man hugs, and comments about keeping in touch. Though emotional, I am neither dying nor leaving the community.

Growing up as a Mennonite, I found that it was often difficult to find groups with a similar understanding of the importance of the community narrative in life. Yet, I have found that there is a similar drive amongst those associated with Pace e Bene. There is a need, a yearning amongst those of us who live for and love peace, I believe, which simply understands that there is a struggle. That struggle pits those who love life, and love one another against those who love themselves and don’t care about the lives and loves of others.

As I proceed from this humble office, I am glad to have joined another community. The nonviolence community, where there are people of all shades and ideals and beliefs who are able to come together, opposing violence and the violent paradigm and say: “No. No, I will not take part in your injustices anymore.”

That such communities exist against the oft overwhelming and prevailing winds of a domination culture is nothing short of inspiring. I am glad to be part of this community. Thank you for all that you have brought to me and taught me. I do want to say, this will not be my last blog.

I may be moving physically away from the central Pace e Bene office, but this is an organization with people connected to it around the world. Pace e Bene isn’t from Oakland and it isn’t only in Oakland. The work of nonviolence happens the world over, and that this organization’s members are so diasporadic is testament to that.

My next step will see me trying to open a theater in my hometown of Lancaster, PA. I want to put on theater which speaks of good messages and challenges myself and others to be better people than we are.

In like fashion, I want to point out a quote which makes me think of the epic struggles against violence and the importance of it. Hamlet, in his personal struggle against suicide, and the battle to live or die, starts his most famous soliloquy with these words:

“To be, or not to be, that is the question:
Whether ‘tis nobler in the mind to suffer
the slings and arrows of outragious fortune,
or to take arms against a sea of troubles
and by opposing, end them.”

Good luck on the nonviolent journey and I hope to see you there every once in away along my personal march.