Eau Claire Shalom
The Rev. Wiley B. Cooper, Co-Chair
Leona Plaugh, Co-Chair
College Place United Methodist Church
4801 Colonial Drive
Columbia, S.C. 29203
(803) 754-5342

When riots broke out in Los Angeles and other cities following the acquittal of the four Los Angeles police officers accused of beating Rodney King, the United Methodist General Conference, in session at the time, suspended its deliberations for a day of thought and prayer. From that beginning emerged a plan for a nationwide network of "Shalom Efforts," local and ecumenical initiatives to build "Shalom" -- peace, economic prosperity, holistic health, and good relationships among people -- in every poor urban and rural place in the nation.

The nation's first "Shalom Zone" began in South Central Los Angeles. The next five were all in South Carolina, including the program in Eau Claire, a large section on the north side of Columbia, once a separate city, and once an affluent neighborhood that was devastated by white flight but never lost its diversity or its pride. Shalom Zones now exist in 47 states, although many of them are so new that the concept is still inventing itself.

Eau Claire Shalom, operating only since last June, may be typical: It's a loose organization of six congregations, multi-racial and ecumenical, without a formal organization, budget or staff. What it DOES have, however, is a dream and an immense capability for networking, setting goals and going after them.

With a mission of working in partnership with area churches to "arrest and reverse the further physical and emotional deterioration of the community," and a fourfold strategy aimed at improving community services, developing partnerships, building the community's image, and expanding economic growth, Eau Claire Shalom has already achieved an impressive roster of accomplishments. Among highlights: