ABSTRACT
The Communities of Shalom initiative was a response to the civil unrest that erupted following the Rodney King verdict on 29 April 1992. Four Los Angeles police officers had been acquitted of criminal charges lodged following the video-taped and widely publicised beating of King following a traffic violation. For about six days following the verdict there was widespread looting and violence in and around Los Angeles. The General Conference that year adopted a proposal for the creation of ‘Shalom Zones’, places where healing and justice could prevail. Since this time, more than 600 Shalom Zones have been created, including in Marion County, West Virginia. Shalom has four asset-based community development strategies: rebuilding and renewing spirituality; rebuilding and renewing multicultural relationships; rebuilding and renewing economics and housing; and rebuilding and renewing health and wellness. The Communities of Shalom in Marion County continues to thrive because of dialogue, conversation and a powerful willingness to listen, discern and respond.
