When a murder occurs in Durham, the nonprofit Religious Coalition for a Nonviolent Durham responds by holding a vigil at the crime scene. The coalition is run by Duke alumna Marcia Owen and is the subject of a new book by Owen and Duke Chapel Dean Sam Wells, "Living Without Enemies: Being Present in the Midst of Violence."
In a live "Office Hours" webcast at noon Thursday, Sept. 29, Owen and Wells will respond to questions about addressing violence in a community, and how their Christian faith shapes their approaches to it.
Watch the webcast live on the Duke Ustream channel. Send a question by email to live@duke.edu, on Twitter with the hashtag #dukelive or with a post to the Duke University Facebook page.
In "Living Without Enemies," Owen and Wells describe how acts of solidarity with both the victims and perpetrators of crimes can bring healing to a community in ways that much more visible efforts, such as a change in policies or policing, can't.
"The whole point of the coalition's work is to say, 'Sure there's nothing we can do. But we're going to be with you anyway,'" they write. "'And maybe together we'll discover something despite the despair and paralysis of knowing there's nothing we can do.' And, so often, that is exactly what happens."
Watch a video about the Religious Coalition for a Nonviolent Durham
In addition to work organizing vigils, the coalition forms small groups based in local congregations that meet regularly with a man or woman recently released from prison to support that in his or her transition back into the community.
"We are to be with God," Wells and Owen said. "Being with one another is the way we imitate and proclaim the witness to the way God is with us."
For a schedule of upcoming broadcasts, as well as archives of previous conversations, go to the Office Hours website.