Building Peace One Circle at a Time

Over the past eighteen months, a practice of sitting together in a circle and actively listening has been an increasingly-used tool for how people across Mosaic Mennonite Conference listen, build trust, and navigate conflict.

Through 26 restorative circles held at 14 different events and locations, more than 320 participants representing 35 congregations and Conference-related ministries have experienced Circle Process, an Indigenous-rooted practice that invites participants into deep listening, honest storytelling, and shared discernment. While circles can help communities address conflict and harm, they are also about building relationships that make healthy conflict possible.

Historically, the conferences that came together to form Mosaic sometimes relied on punitive responses such as excommunication when conflict arose. Those approaches left lasting wounds. Since its founding in 2020, Mosaic has sought a different way forward, centered on restoration, relationship, and reconciliation. That commitment is reflected in Mosaic’s 2025-2027 strategic plan, which names relationship-building and reconciliation as pillars.

Leading much of this work is Maati Yvonne, a Mosaic Executive Committee member, lifelong member of Nueva Vida Norristown (PA) New Life, and a trained restorative practices facilitator. Drawing on over 30 years of antiracism and anti-oppression work and experience in community peacebuilding, Maati has introduced Circle Process in settings ranging from board retreats and staff gatherings to youth events, women’s gatherings, the 2025 Spring Assembly and Delegate Assembly equipping event, and local congregations.

“I’ve been delighted to see this become a passion for people in Mosaic Conference,” Maati reflected. “As more leaders experience the circles for themselves, they’re seeing the value of this peacebuilding practice that brings deepened relationships, understanding, and healing. The work now is to keep building the movement, so these practices become part of who we are.”

A highlight for Maati was leading restorative circles for the 2025 Oasis retreat for BIPOC pastors, where participants shared about challenges and meaningful experiences. Later that year at the Fall Delegate Assembly, pastors who had participated in the circles at Oasis felt more known by others, more empowered, and more engaged at Assembly. During staff gatherings, circles created space for conversations around immigration and for envisioning how restorative practices could become part of the conference’s ongoing ministry. At a recent board retreat, Circle Process helped board members and pastors navigate differences by fostering deeper understanding.

“These circles help people to see one another through the eyes of Jesus so that healing, justice and reconciliation become possible,” Maati shared.

Youth have embraced the practice as well. During gatherings with young people, participants reflected on the biblical story of Zelophehad’s daughters, explored conflict through drama, and created a collaborative “Tree of Life” art project celebrating their hopes, gifts, and shared roots. When interpersonal tensions emerged among youth participants in a particular congregation, the circles created space for deepened relationships and reconciliation.

“During circles that were offered during a MennoNights session for youth groups in southeastern PA, I was surprised at how quickly each participant shared more deeply than what I would have expected from teens. It felt inspiring and hopeful,” shared Rachel Mateti, Children and Youth Minister at Plains Mennonite (Hatfield, PA).

The work is also beginning to take root among Mosaic’s young adult leaders. At their closing retreat, eight Summer Young Adult Ambassadors spent a full day with Maati in August exploring anti-oppression work and peace education. They then put their learning into practice by leading their own circle.

“Through the training, I continued to learn that we can handle conflict by communicating with one another and being transparent,” reflected Marciella Shallomita of Nations Worship Center (Philadelphia, PA). “Circles are a helpful method to use amid conflict and are also a great tool to build a community where every voice is heard.”

One of the clearest examples of restorative culture taking hold can be found at Nueva Vida Norristown New Life. After circles were introduced, members now gather quarterly in circles to deepen relationships, share their stories, and build understanding. Several leaders facilitate the process, allowing the practice to grow.

During a recent board listening session with Indonesian leaders, participants recognized similarities between Circle Process and the Indonesian tradition of silaturahmi, reinforcing that many cultures already carry practices of relationship-centered dialogue that can enrich conference life.

“Maati’s work with restorative justice and circles has inspired me for many years,” shared Associated Executive Minister Marta Castillo. “I am pleased that peace circles were written into the Mosaic strategic plan as a powerful, intercultural tool to help us learn to listen more deeply and wait on one another to speak. It feels different at first, but in spaces of conflict resolution and relationship building, the process increases the number of voices at the table, calms emotions, clears the mind, and allows for us to speak more honestly and openly as we take turns sharing.”

Looking ahead, Mosaic hopes to expand this work by training facilitators in congregations and developing a Scripture-rooted curriculum that equips leaders to integrate restorative practices into the everyday life of the church. Rather than seeing circles as a one-time event or a technique reserved for conflict, the vision is to cultivate a conference-wide culture where relationship, respect, responsibility, repair, and reintegration are ways of following Christ together.