In the United Methodist Social Principles on criminal and restorative justice (¶164.V.H.), “we urge the creation of a genuinely new system for the care and restoration of victims, offenders, criminal justice officials, and the community as a whole.”

But how?  Restortative justice, rooted in indigenous traditions of healing and accountability, offers a solution.  Focused on repairing the relational and communal damage done by harmful actions, restorative justice offering pathways and practices for righting the wrong and bringing healing to all involved—including the one harmed, the one who harmed, the families of both, and the community at large.

Restorative justice is the Church’s work of reconciliation and redemption in the face of woundedness and in the reality of harmful systems of retribution and injustice.  This session provides a basic understanding of the restorative justice framework and some basic restorative practices for doing restorative justice today.