Part I of this book was a meditation on the mystery of reconciliation, asking the question, ‘What is it and why is it so difficult to achieve?’ Part II looked at a very generalized but practical pattern for approaching issues of reconciliation. This part is the shortest and asks the question, ‘What can I do about it?’
The book now seeks to complete the move from the theoretical to the highly practical.
Chapters 10–12 look at the Difference Course. Difference was first piloted in 2019 and its fifth iteration was published in September 2020. It was designed by the reconciliation team at Lambeth Palace.
The reasons I am focusing on Difference are, first, that it has had a very good response in its pilot and beta phases in the UK, South Africa, Hong Kong and the USA. Second, that it is simple, adaptable and down to earth. Third, that it is flexible and accessible. There are many courses of all sorts, but this is the one I know best. I did the course afresh myself, during preparation for writing this book.
Any theoretical structure for reconciliation must answer some questions:
• ‘How do I/we start?’
• ‘What is a facilitator or reconciler like?’
• ‘How do I develop attitudes that make me better at it?’
• ‘What difference might this make to me, my household, my group, my church or workplace?’
Difference is a beginning of an answer to those questions.