According to FBI statistics, violent crime is down approximately 6%, which is an encouraging trend. However, we still have a long way to go. In 2023, there were 22.5 violent crimes per 1,000 people aged 12 or older in the United States. Questions many of us would ask are “Where, specifically, does violence originate?” and “What causes one person to hurt or kill another?” Unfortunately, the answers are complex. Various factors influence the variations in crime and crime rates across states and regions. The FBI identifies certain key elements that affect both the amount and type of crime, including population density and urbanization levels, youth population percentage, and population stability, including mobility and commuting. Other possible factors are economic in nature and may include median income, poverty rate, and job availability.
Closer to home, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania ranks #34 nationally for violent crime among states with a violent crime rate of 280 per 100,000 residents. That’s 27 percent lower than the national average violent crime rate. Plymouth Township, near Philadelphia, ranks highest in incidents of violent crime with 5,309 per 100,000 residents, while Cranberry Township ranks lowest with just 17.
To address what seems like an endless news stream reporting on the violent state of the world, former Nobel Peace Prize-nominated author John Dear is coming to Williamsport. Rev. Dear has been called a peacemaker and environmentalist and will be coming to talk about his new book, The Gospel of Peace: A Commentary on Matthew, Mark, and Luke from the Perspective of Nonviolence. In this new book, Father John points out Jesus’ practice and teachings on nonviolence, peace, and universal love and his invitation to follow this example. Rev. Dear is the author of numerous other books. In addition, he is the founder of “The Beatitudes Center for the Nonviolent Jesus.” According to their website, the organization’s purpose is to teach and promote the nonviolence of Jesus, to help end violence, and to create a new culture of nonviolence through workshops, podcasts, and conferences. Their mission-To teach and promote the Gospel message that Jesus was totally nonviolent and that all his followers are called to be totally nonviolent.
Rev. Dear served for many years as the Director of the Fellowship of Reconciliation. After 9/11, 2001, he served as the Red Cross Coordinator of Chaplains at the Family Assistance Center. In 2017, he helped Pope Francis draft his January 1st World Day of Peace message on nonviolence and has pastored several churches in New Mexico.
Father John’s talk will be held Thursday evening, October 3, 2024, at 7 p.m. at New Covenant United Church of Christ (202 E. Third St.) in Williamsport. The talk is free and open to the public. Copies of his book will be available for purchase and to be signed. This event is sponsored by United Churches of Lycoming County (UCLC). Founded in 1946, UCLC is an ecumenical religious organization comprised of more than 100 Lycoming County churches that are “Connected Through Faith and United in Service.” UCLC ministries include-The Shepherd of the Streets, the UCLC Food Pantry, The Rise-Up Village Bakery, Institutional Care Ministries, United Campus Ministry at Penn College, Church Women United and more. For more information, contact Pastor Tammey Edkin of United Churches of Lycoming County at 470-322-1110.
