Fargo Fun: Peace in Pandemonium - Creating Community in a Chaotic World @ First Presbyterian 🕊️🌪️🏘️🙏

In this episode of The Fargo Five, we delve into an engaging discussion with James Bergman, an intuitive songwriter, as he prepares for the "Peace and Pandemonium" event, creating community in a chaotic world.

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This episode kicks off with a lighthearted take on modern content creation, where we playfully engage in "engagement farming," encouraging listeners to like, share, and subscribe. From there, we transition to the central theme—Fargo fun, specifically the upcoming "Peace and Pandemonium" event. Hosted at the First Presbyterian Church in Fargo, this event promises to be an exciting weekend of community, peace, and engaging discussions.

James shares that the event, organized by Rusty Bender, is designed to foster dialogue about peace and creating a community. Notably, speakers Letia Mzero Hude and Janessa from Down Home, a charitable organization that provides furniture for individuals moving into new homes, will be presenting at the event. This unique gathering aims to discuss peace-building and how to connect with others amidst the chaos of modern life.

James found himself involved in the event after spotting it on Facebook. Inspired by the message, he reached out to contribute his music, sparking a collaboration that will see him performing songs about peace and participating in a panel discussion. James' contribution includes a mix of performance and thoughtful conversation, exploring themes of peace and community. He humorously admits to signing up for the event without even visiting the venue, illustrating his spontaneous and adaptable nature—an approach he has embraced over the years.

James touches on his own personal growth and his shift from a mindset of "if it's not happening now, it's not happening" to a more flexible and ready-to-act approach. This ties into a broader conversation about how different people bring various strengths to the table. He compares his spontaneous, fly-by-the-seat-of-his-pants personality with Conrad's highly disciplined and structured approach, showing how different perspectives can balance one another out.

The event will feature a range of activities over the weekend, including performances, panel discussions, and collaborative conversations. James will be performing four songs during the wrap-up event on Sunday afternoon at 2:30 PM, alongside other musicians. He emphasizes that while the event is held in a church, it is designed to be inclusive and resonate with a broad audience, regardless of religious affiliation. The aim is to create a space where everyone feels welcome and engaged, with peace as the central theme.

On Saturday afternoon, James will lead a presentation about the songs he's written related to peace, sharing stories and discussing their background with attendees. Additionally, he will be part of a panel discussion earlier that morning, addressing responses to white nationalism in ways that promote peace and reduce fear while acknowledging the seriousness of current societal issues.

As the conversation continues, James opens up about his Mennonite upbringing in Steinbach, Manitoba, a small community southeast of Winnipeg. He shares how growing up Mennonite, particularly within a broad spectrum of beliefs—from horse-and-buggy traditionalists to more liberal, peace-and-justice-oriented Mennonites—has shaped his perspective on peace. He reflects on his time at the Canadian Mennonite University in Winnipeg, where he learned more about peace and justice as integral aspects of faith and identity, ultimately solidifying his commitment to these values.

James’ musical contributions to the event, his reflections on peace, and his background provide a rich context for this weekend's "Peace and Pandemonium" gathering. He offers a unique perspective rooted in community, faith, and peace-building, making this a can’t-miss event for those looking to connect with others and engage in meaningful conversations about how we can create a more peaceful and connected world.

Be sure to attend "Peace and Pandemonium" at First Presbyterian Church in Fargo this weekend, located at 650 2nd Avenue North. Whether you're coming for the music, the discussions, or just to engage with like-minded individuals, this event promises to offer something for everyone interested in peace and community-building.

Stay tuned for our next segment, Fargo Fresh, and don’t go anywhere!