Student Peace Speeches Challenge and Inspire

Tuesday, April 7, 2020

Peace Speech Participants 2020

On March 11, three Grebel students competed in the C. Henry Smith Oratorical Contest. This Peace Speeches competition invites students from Mennonite and Be in Christ colleges and universities across Canada and the United States to present speeches exploring the application of the Christian peace position to contemporary concerns. Catherine Bergs spoke on a feminist approach to the common narrative of Eve and Adam. She shared the importance of refusing to use this story as a way to criticize women’s actions throughout history, as well as recognizing the “feminine” attributes of the Spirit. Victoria Lumax critiqued the ways technology has been used for weapons of war and as a replacement God. Henry Stevens challenged the audience to think about peace from the perspective of those who have paid dearly to prevent deaths. Catherine Bergs was awarded first place for her critique of anti-femininity narratives. Catherine’s recorded speech goes on to compete in the bi-national competition.