Thank You

By Bridget Moix on 06/28/2012 @ 02:30 PM

Tags: Peaceful Prevention, Middle East

On July 13, I step down from my position leading FCNL's foreign policy team and go back to school. I will begin working toward a PhD with the School of Conflict Analysis and Resolution at George Mason University. I do so knowing I will deeply miss being a part of the FCNL staff team, but also knowing that our work to build the world we seek will always be a part of my life, and is now in very good hands.

I look forward to spending the next few years studying and reflecting more deeply on questions at the heart of FCNL's work to build a world without war: How do we help strengthen peace and prevent violence before it erupts? What are the nonviolent tools we lack to prevent war and protect civilians? How do we create them? And, what is needed to make peace not only possible, but politically practical as well?

I look to role models like Elise Boulding and Adam Curle who combined peace academics with practical peace work in the world to inspire me, and I hope to somehow help bring the lessons of the growing field of conflict transformation and peacebuilding more directly into the US policy world, which so desperately needs them.

I feel truly blessed to have served in a variety of capacities with FCNL over the past 16 years, and I have come to consider this community and its work my spiritual and professional home in so many ways. But, the sadness I feel at leaving the staff is far exceeded by the excitement I feel for how the organization is growing and developing at this time. I'm particularly impressed by the excellent foreign policy team in place that will carry on the work of building a world free of war and the threat of war. Their dedication, expertise, and skill assure me that the work is in very good hands.

As I prepare to focus more time on school and family, I look forward to being part of the FCNL community in new ways. I'm very glad that I will be returning to FCNL in the fall in a consulting role to work on a project envisioning a new US foreign policy. And I feel blessed to become part of the nationwide network of FCNL constituents that have taught me so well what spirit-led lobbying is all about.

So, instead of farewell, I'd like to say thank you. Because gratitude is the deepest emotion I feel toward FCNL - the staff, our governing committees, all the individual friends, community-based lobbyists, and supporters who make up this inspirational organization. Thank you for nurturing and teaching me through the years. Thank you for calling me to service and leadership I never imagined for myself. Thank you for showing me that peace is indeed possible through peaceful means. Thank you for deepening and affirming my Quaker faith. Thank you for supporting me and giving me such strong shoulders to stand upon. Thank you for continuing your work and witness for peace on Capitol Hill.

I have already learned that like a number of you, I'm a "lifer" with FCNL in one way or another, and I look forward to continuing to be part of this remarkable and powerful community, putting our faith into action and letting love guide us.