Peace in a Violent World
Pre-Festival Offering
Thursday August 28, 2025
9 am – 5 pm
cost: $59.00
A Workshop on Mimetic Theory and Sacred Nonviolence
Theology & Peace—www.TheologyAndPeace.com
This pre-festival event is offered by Theology & Peace, an association grounded in the thought of René Girard. We explore a life-giving understanding of faith and human experience through his insights into human rivalry, conflict, and scapegoating AND a new reading of the Christian story empowered by these insights.
Overview
In an era of increasing polarization and conflict, finding a path to peace has never been more relevant. This workshop invites participants to explore how Girard’s work illuminates our personal relationships and efforts for social justice, offering insights for peacemaking and community transformation.
This workshop will be participatory, weaving academic insights, dialogue, reflection, and engagement with practical application. All faith backgrounds and levels of familiarity with Girard’s work are welcome.
Themes
- The Power of Jesus for Transformation: Exploring how the Gospel narrative exposes and subverts cycles of violence
- Applied Nonviolence: Translating Girardian insights into practical tools for justice work
- Beloved Community: Building relationships beyond rivalry and competition
Understanding the Cycle
Morning Session 1
Intro to Renee Girard & Mimetic Theory
OR
How we got into this big, ugly, violent mess and how might we be led out of it…
James Warren—author of Compassion or Apocalypse —theologian, author, and professional magician
Jim Warren will offer an introductory overview of Girard’s groundbreaking insights into the way human life has continually been structured by cycles of rivalry, conflict, and scapegoating AND how the non-violent, reconciling, grace-filled story of Jesus is power for breaking these cycles
Morning Session 2
A Girardian Reading of the Gospels
OR
How the story of Jesus in all four Gospels tells a transformative story for peace that far too many have completely missed…
Jennifer Garcia Bashaw—Professor of New Testament and Christian Ministry at Campbell University, ordained American Baptist minister, and author of Scapegoats: The Gospel through the Eyes of Victims
Jennifer Bashaw will offer insight into the anti-scapegoating work of Jesus that the Gospel writers highlight, with a focus on helping exvangelicals find reconciliation and hope in the story of Jesus again.
BREAKING FREE
Afternoon Session 1
Case Study: Finding Deeper Faith in Times of Adversity
OR
How a former prosecutor turned minister and hospital chaplain learned to help others embody love, mercy, and courage in response to trauma…
Ellen Corcella—former prosecutor of violent criminals, ordained minister trained in trauma informed clinical care, hospital chaplain, author of Walk with Me: a Journey through the Landscape of Trauma, and soon-to-be host of the Faith and Resilience Podcast
Ellen Corcella will share the ways in which embodying non-violent love has transformed her care of others as she journeyed with those suffering trauma and brokenness.
Afternoon Session 2
Case Study: Preaching the Nonviolent “Good News” of Jesus
OR
How an ordinary pastor helped thousands of pastors learn to read the scripture through Jesus’ nonviolent, non-retributive, peacemaking lens
Paul Nuechterlein—Pastor, Theologian, and curator of the website www.GirardianLectionary.net
Paul will share the ways in which his discovery, study, and sharing of a peace-filled Gospel has transformed his own ministry and that of the thousands who visit his website weekly. He will also lead final reflection and conversation upon issues which have been raised by participants during time together.
Magician James Warren performed for over a decade at “The Magic Castle” in Hollywood, CA, and is currently the “House Magician” at Kellar’s Magic & Comedy Club in Erie, PA. James has an M.Div. degree and is the author of a memoir, “Jesus and The Magician,” as well as the popular “Compassion or Apocalypse: A Comprehensible Guide to the Thought of Rene Girard,” with foreword by Brian McLaren. James’ most recent creative work is his one-man show, “Evolution of A Magician,” a combination of storytelling and magic, from which he will present excerpts at Wild Goose.
Jennifer Garcia Bashaw (PhD., Fuller Seminary) is Associate Professor of New Testament and Christian Ministry at Campbell University in North Carolina. She has a passion for teaching the Bible on a lay level and contributes social media content to outlets such as Baptist News Global and The Bible for Normal People, where she is a nerd-in-resident. Dr. Bashaw is an ordained American Baptist minister who enjoys preaching as well training and resourcing pastors. She is the author of Scapegoats: The Gospel through the Eyes of Victims, John for Normal People: A Guide through the Drama and Depth of the Fourth Gospel, and the forthcoming Serving Up Scripture: Interpreting the Bible for Yourself and Others.
Ellen Corcella is an author, minister, speaker and workshop facilitator. Ellen takes an unflinching look at the impact of trauma on her life and the lives of others in her book, Walk with Me: A Journey through the Landscape of Trauma. Ellen shows us ways our faith and woundedness can become sources of hope and healing for ourselves and others. Her unique journey took her from a broken home in central Kentucky, to a twenty year career as a New York City prosecutor, until she found her calling in ministry as a trauma and palliative care chaplain. Ellen is a strong advocate for trauma-informed spiritual care and encourages faith and spiritual leaders to adopt a trauma informed lens in their ministry. She founded Faith & Resilience and is a board member and moderator for the Theology & Peace Conference. She is a graduate of Christian Theological Seminary, Georgetown University Law Center and George Washington University.
Paul is a semi-retired pastor in the ELCA, currently serving as part-time pastor at Bethania Lutheran Church, Racine, WI (where he currently resides with his wife Ellen). He has been applying Rene Girard’s Mimetic Theory to scripture since 1992, and in 2000 he launched the website Girardian Reflections on the Lectionary. He has presented numerous workshops on Mimetic Theory and scripture. Over the last year, Paul has been passionate about “Preaching God’s Reign under the Shadow of Christian Nationalism.”
Check In for pre-festival events will be available on Wednesday from 1 pm to 5 pm, and Thursday from 7am to 9 am.
If you’re tent camping, there’s no additional campsite charge for Wednesday night.
Some campsite locations are restricted due to large venue tent construction in several areas.
RV campers will need to purchase an additional night.