Atlee Beechy Memoirs and Memorial
Atlee Beechy, one of the founders of Seniors for Peace, died on December 31, 2000 at the age of 86. His memorial service on January 5 was a remarkable occasion causing many to be inspired by his life-long work for peace and justice and to reflect on his world vision for the future. Atlee Beechy's memorial service may be viewed via this RealPlayer link.
Shortly before his death Atlee completed
his memoirs, SEEKING PEACE: MY JOURNEY. The book is a fascinating story of a gentle man who worked tirelessly and fearlessly for peace and justice, facing war, violence and injustice
in many places throughout the world. The foreword by his good friend, Robert Kreider of North Newton, Kansas may be seen by following the link.
SEEKING PEACE: MY JOURNEY, published by Pinch Penny Press.
To order, contact Linda Wilfong, Goshen College, phone (219) 535-7450, e-mail: lindasw@goshen.edu,
Price: $10 + $.50 tax + $2.25 shipping and handling = $12.75 total. Proceeds will benefit the Peace Endowment Fund at Goshen
College.
Atlee’s work for peace and justice spanned not only the world but
also the generations. He was active in the peace education of children,
personal friendships with teens, encouraging and supporting college students
and leadership in adult activities.
His special vision in later years recognized the potential among Seniors to be
a force for peace and justice, devoting to the cause their discretionary
time after retirement and their wisdom born of experience. This took the
form of Seniors for Peace, a model for small groups who will develop a spirituality
of peace and justice, support and challenge each other, and monitor and
respond to peace and justice issues, locally, nationally and globally. There
could be no finer tribute to Atlee than the forming of many new Seniors
for Peace groups at home and abroad.
KEEP THE LIGHT BURNING! was Atlee’s parting word to
his family, a benediction that all may share who treasure his legacy of
selfless dedication to peace and justice.
An excerpt from Atlee’s Memoirs:
"For me there are seven dimensions of peacemaking:
- Helping people to be reconciled to God, themselves and to each other
- Breaking down walls that discriminate and divide
- Affirming good and protesting evil
- Reducing violence, injustice and war and their causes
- Building peace-generating individuals, congregations and communities
- Increasing love and expanding interpersonal and inter-group reconciliation
in the family, congregation, school, community, and world
My vocation is outlined in Isaiah 61:1—2 and is restated by Jesus
in the announcement of his ministry in Luke 4:18, 19:
"The spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has
anointed me to bring good tidings to the afflicted. He has sent me to bind
up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening
of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the Lord's
favor and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn."
HTML editing by Lon Sherer, lonhs@goshen.edu
Updated: 6/01