In Lititz, peace is an event.

"There is no true peace without justice," said Jeanine Strom Boyer, outreach and relationship ministry coordinator for Lititz Church of the Brethren (LCOB) and an organizer of the upcoming PeaceFest. "When there is conflict or disagreement, we work together to be reconciled and find a resolution. In matters in which we are not of the same mind, we seek to live with forbearance toward one another. We believe that war only brings destruction and death. In times of war, as in all times, we work to serve the needs of people and to work for peace in nonviolent ways."

From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 19, the LCOB, which is located at 300 W. Orange St., Lititz, will host the inaugural PeaceFest: Forging Peace and Cultivating Justice. The event, which is a collaboration of a handful of local Church of the Brethren congregations - including ones in Lancaster, Elizabethtown, Mountville and York - will advocate for the concept of peace by physically turning guns into life-affirming implements like garden tools and jewelry.

The event is free to attend, and everyone is welcome.

"PeaceFest is a family-friendly event designed to bring people together in hope, education, fellowship and action around a shared vision of a more peaceful world," said Strom Boyer. "This event reflects a longstanding commitment from the churches to promote peace, justice and nonviolence within our communities."

PeaceFest will feature food trucks, the Treehouse Playground, face painting, balloons, live music and demonstrations. There will also be speakers, including Shane Claiborne, an activist, best-selling author and co-founder of RAWtools, an organization dedicated to turning weapons into items of hope.

"The event has been named a fest because we want it to have a festival atmosphere," said Strom Boyer. "A special gathering with music and food where people can have fun as well as learn ways to live peacefully and growing into a more just world."

Hundreds of people from across central Pennsylvania are expected to attend PeaceFest.

"This is a first-time event," said Claiborne. "We want people to come to the event, to participate with others in fun and educational activities. It is the hope that the event will inspire individuals, families, congregations and community organizations to explore practical ways of cultivating peace and justice in everyday life."

The PeaceFest is a specific example of the broad role that LCOB plays in the community. During the colder months, LCOB hosts a community meal for residents of the Warwick School District.

"As the Church of the Brethren, we want to passionately live and share the radical transformation and holistic peace of Jesus Christ through relationship-based neighborhood engagement," said Strom Boyer. "It looks like our being a positive voice for peace. It looks like offering safe space for groups doing vital outreach into our community, such as Meals on Wheels and support groups. We want to be known as witnesses for peace, makers of peace and partners in peace."

For additional information, go to http://www.lititzcob.org.