FUSF PEACE Ministry Web Site

United for Justice through Peace Organization

noreply@blogger.com (Lea MacNider) — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 13:48:00 +0000

United for Justice through Peace is a coalition of peace and justice organizations and community peace groups in the Greater Boston area seeking global peace through social and economic justice. Here is a list of peace events this week.

Women's Rights in South Asia: A Commentary discussion by Kamayani Mahabal
"Another World is possible" A documentary by Aisha Gazdar
Kamayani Mahabal is a clinical psychologist turned lawyer and human rights activist. Along with a few like minded friends she formed the human rights organization "AHSAAS" and became actively involved in human rights education and providing legal remedies to victims of economic oppression in Punjab. She has worked on honor killings in Asia, domestic violence in the developing world and the issue of sex selective abortions.
November 15 - 3:00PM
MIT room 4-231 77 Mass Ave Cambridge

"Rething Afghanastan" Screening
Nov 21-2:00 PM
Sponsor: Milton for Peace
Milton Public Library

For a full list of weekly events, go to their website at http://justicewithpeace.org/welcome

A Season for Nonviolence, Week 10

noreply@blogger.com (Dave Gerlits) — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 17:00:00 +0000

“Nonviolence should mean a complete freedom from ill will, anger and hate and an overflowing love for all .... The nonviolence I teach is active nonviolence of the strongest. But the weakest can partake in it without becoming weaker.” – Mohandas K. Ghandi

Days 64 and 65 – CELEBRATION (April 3 and 4)
Today, rejoice in the work that you have done. Celebrate the journey that you have made with countless others who believe that every individual can move t he world in the direct ion of peace with their nonviolent choice and action. "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." Margaret Mead.

A Season for Nonviolence, Week 9

noreply@blogger.com (Dave Gerlits) — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 17:00:00 +0000

WEEK 9 (5763)
Nonviolence challenges us to stand for Truth by taking action that honors the dignity and worth of every human being.

Day 57 – SERVICE (March 27)
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. said, "Everybody can be gr at...because anybody can serve. You only need a heart full of grace and a soul generated by love. " Sign up to volunteer a minimum of two hours this month with an organization of your choice.

Day 58 – CITIZENSHIP (March 28)
Robert Muller, former assistant secretary general to the UN, urges, "use every letter you write, ever y conversation you have, every meeting you attend, to express your most important beliefs and dreams.” Today call or write one of your legislators and register your views.

Day 59 – INTERVENTION (March 29)
Alcohol and drug abuse is both a consequence and a cause of violence. Today have t he courage to intervene in a caring way. Through your honest and straightforward communication, encourage yourself and others to get educated, get help, and get sober and free from drugs.

Day 60 – WITNESSING (March 30)
"We are each other's bond," writes poet Gwendolyn Brooks. Those who practice nonviolence cannot close their eyes to injustice or cruelty. We are here to be a witness for justice and compassion. Today, be willing to stand up for Truth by your presence, your words and actions.

Day 61 – PEACE (March 31)
Thich Nhat Hanh wrote, "Practice watering seeds of joy and peace and not just seeds of anger and violence, and the elements of war in all of us will be transformed." Today, make a choice to meet each experience wit h an intention for peace.

Day 62 – COMMITMENT (April 1)
Spend five minutes reflecting on your commitment to non violence. Write down what it means to you and what you are willing to do as a consequence of your commitment to it. Make your commitment public by sharing it with at least 2 people.

Day 63 – RELEASE (April 2)
A Sufi proverb says, "When the heart weeps for what it has lost, the spirit laughs for what it has found." Today look at how far you have come during this 64 day journey. Release the weight of your past, judgments of yourself and others, and the idea that world peace is not possible by acknowledging t hat you do make a difference.

A Season for Nonviolence, Week 8

noreply@blogger.com (Dave Gerlits) — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 17:00:00 +0000

Nonviolence challenges us to stand for Truth by taking action that honors the dignity and worth of every human being.

Day 50 – CHOICE (March 20)
Be aware today of any jokes or remarks that show disrespect toward ethnic groups, women or men, classes of people, religious groups, gays or lesbians. Be considerate of ever y person's dignity and choose not to participate in disrespectful conversation.

Day 51 – ADVOCACY (March 21)
"When someone stands up to nonviolence," says Thich Nhat Hanh, "a force for change is released. Every action for peace requires someone t o exhibit the courage to challenge violence and inspire love." Today be an ally. Without blaming or judging others, speak out for those who are disrespected.

Day 52 – EQUALITY (March 22)
Have you ever not iced t he groups of people who are under represent ed in your activities and lifestyle? Find one way to connect with a person from these groups today.

Day 53 – ACTION (March 23)
"Each of us can work to change a small portion of events and in the total of all those acts will be written the history of this generation," said Robert Kennedy. Today, find a way to make one, small change that will contribute to the well being of your home, school, workplace or community.

Day 54 – GIVING (March 24)
Practice generosity by sharing time, energy, and material resources with those in need. Clean out your closet, bureau drawers, or garage. Are the e things you aren't using that might be of value to someone else? Today, give away what you are no longer using.

Day 55 – RESPONSIBILITY (March 25)
The quality of your community starts with you. Take responsibility for the quality of your community wherever you are. Today, pick up trash that is not your own, whether at home, at the office or on the street. Every little bit helps.

Day 56 – SELF SUFFICIENCY (March 26)
People need t he dignity of work and the opportunity to provide for themselves and their families. Economic self sufficiency is a requirement for a nonviolent world. Today, create a job for someone or help someone to find employment (for example, help them wit h a resume or application, help them make phone calls, dress appropriately, or
practice interviewing).

A Season for Nonviolence, Week 7

noreply@blogger.com (Dave Gerlits) — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 17:00:00 +0000

Relationships based on nonviolence are built on the ability to see and understand another human being, whether or not we agree. Seeing people from our common ground gives us practice for bringing nonviolent actions, choices and behaviors into our communal life.

Day 43 – UNIQUENESS (March 13)
Dale Carnegie says that the greatest need people have is for love and approval. Praise, compliment, and honor the uniqueness of at least five people today. Notice the positive impact you make by valuing the individuality of each one.

Day 44 – COOPERATION (March 14)
When we work together, we are stronger that when we work alone. Today, find one significant way your can cooperate more effectively with t he people in your family or workplace, school or community. Do it.

Day 45—MASTERY (March 15)
Labor organizer Cesar Chavez teaches, "If you use violence, you have t o sell part of yourself for that violence. Then you are no longer a master of your own struggle. " Breathe deeply, silently counting backwards from ten to calm yourself and cool off before your speak or act wit h impatience or anger. Do this at least once today.

Day 46 – COMPASSION (March 16)
Mother Theresa implored us to "find someone who thinks he is alone and let him know that he is not." Today, do as Mother Theresa suggests.

Day 47 – DISARMAMENT (March 17)
Have a conversation wit h someone today about what the world would be like if there were no weapons nor any need for them. Imagine such a world.

Day 48 – ECOLOGY (March 18)
Value t he earth by conserving natural resources and avoiding the purchase of products that deplete the rain forests or exploit labor forces. Practice recycling today by using at least one recycled product, or by recycling something.

Day 49 – HONOR (March 19)
Albert Einstein said, "There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as if everything is." Before each meal today, stop and honor all the hands that brought it to you and to bless the earth for its bounty.

A Season for Nonviolence, Week 6

noreply@blogger.com (Dave Gerlits) — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 18:00:00 +0000

To require others to change for us to be more peaceful does violence to us both. By choosing to be peaceful in relationship, we invite others to nonviolence in return.

Day 36 – MINDFULNESS (March 6)
If we just act in each moment, with composure and mindfulness, each minute of our life is a work of art. Be aware of the motivation behind your action, the intention behind your words, and the needs and experiences of ot her people. By doing so, you are making life beautiful for others.

Day 37 – GRACIOUSNESS (March 7)
When you are out driving today, slow down, and let the other person in front of you. Stop and let pedestrians cross the street.

Day 38 – KINDNESS (March 8)
Everyday we hear of random and senseless acts of violence. Participate in the counter
revolution of kindness started by Anne Herbert. Perform three random acts of kindness and senseless acts of beauty.

Day 39 – DIALOGUE (March 9)
Marianne Williamson describes a healthy society as one in which "those who disagree can do so wit h honor and respect for other people's opinions, and an appreciation for our shared humanity." In t he Desiderata by Max Ehrmann, he says, "Speak your truth quietly and clearly, and list en t o others." Today, speak up but do not enter into the spirit of argument.

Day 40 – UNITY (March 10)
Differences give variety to life and are oft en only on the surface anyway. Today, look for three ways to see beyond outer differences in opinions, appearances, or goals. Find the meeting point of underlying unity that exists in diversity.

Day 41 – OPENNESS (March 11)
A Turkish proverb says, "He who builds himself a fence, fences out more than he fences in." Today, be open to understanding ideas and people t hat you have previously opposed.

Day 42 – ACCOUNTABILITY (March 12)
In conflicting situations, personal accountability allows us to take responsibility for how we contribute t o the conflict. Today, take responsibility for how you contribute to a conflict and make a different choice that can lead to a peaceful resolution.

A Season for Nonviolence, Week 5

noreply@blogger.com (Dave Gerlits) — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 18:00:00 +0000

In order to create a peaceful world, we must learn to practice nonviolence with one another in our day today interactions.

Day 29 – FORGIVENESS (Feb. 27)
When we forgive, we are free t o let go of the past and move on wit h our lives. We do not condone the hurtful behavior but we realize that there is something within us that is more powerful and important than this wounding experience. Today, write a letter to forgive someone. You do not have to mail it.

Day 30 – AMENDS (Feb. 28)
Make amends today. Apologize to someone you may have hurt and mean your apology sincerely.

Day 31 – PRAISING (March 1)
Appreciation helps people to grow and lets them know that they matter. Offer praise to at least three people today for their personal qualities, achievements, or helpful service.

Day 32 – PATIENCE (March 2)
According t o Cesar Chavez, "Nonviolence is not inaction...It is hard work...It is the patience t o win." When your plans seem delayed, choose to be patient by identifying at least three ways that you can constructively use this time to support your goal.

Day 33 – ACKNOWLEDGEMENT (March 3)
Tell someone today what a difference he or she has made in your life. Acknowledge that person for being there for you. Make this a day when you don't take people for granted.

Day 34 – LOVE (March 4)
Gandhi wrote, "Nonviolence is based on the assumption that human nature.... unfailingly responds to the advances of love." Today, focus on what you appreciate most about the person you like the least.

Day 35 – UNDERSTANDING (March 5)
Thich Nhat Hanh says, "When you understand, you cannot help but love...Practice looking at all living beings with the eyes of compassion." Send a silent thought of love to ten people today. Share your experience wit h someone.

A Season for Nonviolence, Week 4

noreply@blogger.com (Dave Gerlits) — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 18:00:00 +0000

“The nonviolent approach does not immediately change the heart of the oppressor. It first does something to the hearts and souls of those committed to it. It gives them new self respect; it calls up resources of strength and courage they did not know they had.” Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Day 22 – MISSION (Feb. 20)
"My life is my message. " says Gandhi. Write down what you want to stand for in your life. Note at least one way you can show through action that you stand for your beliefs. Take t his action today.

Day 23 – PRAYER (Feb. 21)
"Prayer from the heart can achieve what nothing else in the world can." said Gandhi. Begin and end the day with a prayer for peace. Let peace begin with you.

Day 24 – HARMONY (Feb. 22)
Choosing not to engage in any for m of gossip today contributes to harmony and peace in relationships. Today, choose to see the good in others rather than finding fault.

Day 25 – FRIENDLINESS (Feb. 23)
To humorist Will Rogers, strangers were simply friends he hadn't met. View those you encounter today in that light. Make a new acquaintance.

Day 26 – RESPECT (Feb. 24)
Gandhi taught, "Language is an exact reflection of the character and growth of its speakers.” Today, respect yourself and others be choosing not to use any profanity or "put downs."

Day 27 – GENEROSITY (Feb. 25)
Mother Theresa said, "There is a hidden poverty more pervasive than lack of money. It is the poverty of the heart." Find three ways to generously give of your time, attention and resources to others.

Day 28 – LISTENING (Feb. 26)
Today, stop what you are doing and take five minutes to list en to the feelings behind someone's words to you. Be fully present for the conversation and interested in what the person is saying.

A Season for Nonviolence, Week 3

noreply@blogger.com (Dave Gerlits) — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 18:00:00 +0000

By practicing nonviolence with ourselves, we begin to see how it might apply toward others. Each personal practice can be turned into a practice toward another. Try it.

Day 15 – REVERENCE (Feb. 13)
Environmentalist John Muir said, "Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where Nature may heal and cheer and give strength to body and soul." Today, go for a walk and realize t he beauty around, above and below you.

Day 16 – GRATITUDE (Feb. 14)
On her show Oprah Winfrey frequently promotes the daily practice of gratitude. Begin the day by listing five things for which you are grateful and end it by sharing with one person all of the good in your life today.

Day 17 – INTEGRITY (Feb. 15)
Do the right thing. Spike Lee used these words as a title for one of his movies. When faced with a choice today, listen to your conscience. You know what's right. Do it.

Day 18 – FREEDOM (Feb. 16)
Civil rights activist Diane Nash said, “Freedom, by definition, is people realizing that they are their own leader s." Take a leadership role today in your own life. Find one way you can be more expressive of who you truly are.

Day 19 – ACCEPTANCE (Feb. 17)
"Resentment, fear, criticism, and guilt cause more problems than anything else, " says Louise Hay. Today, choose not to judge yourself (your looks, your capabilities, your expressions). See all t he ways you are unique, loving, capable and bright!

Day 20 – SELF FORGIVENESS (Feb. 18)
When you judge yourself, you tend to believe that who you are is what you have or don't have. Knowing that who you are is greater than all these things, today, forgive yourself for forgetting the good that is in you.

Day 21 – INSPIRATION (Feb. 19)
Think of at least two people who exemplify for you the practice of nonviolence. What is it you admire about them? Practice these behaviors today so that other people may be inspired.

A Season for Nonviolence, Week 2

noreply@blogger.com (Dave Gerlits) — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 18:00:00 +0000

Personal centeredness gives us the inner peace and calm to respond to situations with nonviolent means. Building that inner center is the first act of peace making.

Day 8 – HEALING (Feb. 6)
Writer, poet, activist, and professor Maya Angelou turned a traumatic childhood experience into a catalyst for creativity and achievement. Today, choose a painful incident in your life and find the “gift” it has given you. Consciously share this gift with others today.

Day 9 –DREAMING (Feb. 7)
Martin Luther King, Jr. had a great dream. What is your dream for peace? Write it down. What is one thing you can do to honor your dreams? Do it today.

Day 10 – FAITH (Feb. 8)
When Cesar Chavez was organizing farm workers, he challenged them to say, "Si, se puede" (yes, it is possible) when they didn't know how they would overcome obstacles. Today say, "yes, it is possible, " even if you don't know how your goal will be realized. Have faith, and say "it is possible” until you find, or are shown, a way.

Day 11 – CONTEMPLATION (Feb. 9)
For at least three minutes, relax, breathe, and let your mind be fed by "whatsoever is good and beautiful and just." Sacred scripture states, "as a man thinketh in his heart, so is he. "

Day 12 – GROUNDEDNESS (Feb. 10)
Gandhi said, "To forget how to dig the earth and t end the soil is to forget ourselves. " And Black Elk said, "Some little root of the sacred tree still lives. Nourish it, that it may leaf and bloom and fill with singing birds." Today place a seed in the earth, plant a tree or nurture an open space.

Day 13 – CREATIVITY (Feb. 11)
The worst thing you can do to a human soul is to suppress its natural desire to create. Identify at least five ways in which you express your creativity everyday. Today, allow something unpredictable and joyous to express through you.

Day 14 – HUMILITY (Feb. 12)
Making mistakes is a part of learning and growing, simply an "error in approach." Today, freely acknowledge at least one mistake you made today, and reflect for a couple of minutes on what you have learned.

A Season for Nonviolence, Week 1

noreply@blogger.com (Dave Gerlits) — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 18:00:00 +0000

Nonviolence begins with learning how to be less violent and more compassionate towards ourselves. We learn by building the courage to speak and act with respect, honor and reverence for our own being.

Day 1 – COURAGE (Jan. 30)
Eleanor Roosevelt has urged, "You must do the things that you think you cannot do." Practicing these 64 Ways will challenge you to do things that you think you cannot do. Today, light a candle and accept the courage to practice 64 ways of living nonviolently.

Day 2 – SMILING (Jan. 31)
Buddhist teacher Thich Nhat Hanh said, "If in our daily life we can smile...not only we, but everyone will profit from it.
This is the most basic kind of peace work." Today, share a smile with at least three people, knowing that your smile contributes to peace.

Day 3 – APPRECIATION (Feb. 1)
Louise Hay says, "Praise yourself as much as you can...The love in our lives begins wit h us...Loving yourself will help heal this planet. " Write down 10 things that you appreciate about yourself. Read aloud what you have written.

Day 4 – CARING (Feb. 2)
According t o Peter McWilliams, "Nonviolence toward the self is caring for oneself. It is what the Greeks call reverence for the self. " Real caring is not just what we say, but what we do. Make a list of at least five ways that you can take better care of yourself. Practice at least one today.

Day 5 – BELIEVING (Feb. 3)
Author Wayne Dyer writes about the impact that our beliefs have on our daily lives. Today, believe t hat you have all the resources to move your life in the direction of peace. Be aware of simple demonstrations of peaceful responses you receive.

Day 6 SIMPLICITY (Feb. 4)
To simplify is to invite peacefulness. Think of three ways you can simplify your life and put at least one of them into practice today.

Day 7 – EDUCATION (Feb. 5)
Knowledge strengthens your convict ion and deepens your wisdom and understanding. Learn about the power of nonviolence by educating yourself. Read or watch on a subject that relates to nonviolence. Learn about human rights, diversity, ecology, history, and politics, forgiveness, spirituality, peace studies, biographies of heroes and more.

Peace Pole in Downtown Iowa City

noreply@blogger.com (Dave Gerlits) — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 00:42:00 +0000

Bobbi and Dave Gerlits were in Iowa City recently, and found a Peace Pole in the downtown pedestrian mall.

Here is Dave (on the right) with his sister Kris McLure and mother Jan Gerlits

So that we would know that Bobbi was there too, we switched places and Bobbi stood next to the pole.

These Peace Poles show up in the nicest places!

Follow Our Blog!

noreply@blogger.com (Dave Gerlits) — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 22:25:00 +0000

Blogger just introduced a new feature called "Following", that lets you keep up to date on our blog, and let people know (if you choose to follow us publicly), that you are a fan of the blog.

The advantage to you is that when you become a follower of a blog, the blog will also be added to your Reading List on your Blogger dashboard. You can read more here about following.

Just look over on the right hand side of the blog, and scan down until you see the item called "Followers". If you want to become a follower, just click the "follow" link.

Important Health Warning!

noreply@blogger.com (Dave Gerlits) — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 23:39:00 +0000

Be on the lookout for symptoms of inner peace. The hearts of a great many have already been exposed to inner peace and it is possible that people everywhere could come down with it in epidemic proportions. This could pose a serious threat to what has, up to now, been a fairly stable condition of conflict in the world.

Some signs and symptoms of inner peace:

A tendency to think and act spontaneously rather than on fears based on past experiences.
An unmistakable ability to enjoy each moment.
A loss of interest in judging other people.
A loss of interest in judging self.
A loss of interest in interpreting the actions of others.
A loss of interest in conflict.
A loss of the ability to worry. (This is a very serious symptom.)
Frequent, overwhelming episodes of appreciation.
Contented feelings of connectedness with others and nature.
Frequent attacks of smiling.
An increasing tendency to let things happen rather than make them happen.
An increased susceptibility to the love extended by others as well as the uncontrollable urge to extend it.

WARNING:

If you have some or all of the above symptoms, please be advised that your condition of inner peace may be so far advanced as to not be curable. If you are exposed to anyone exhibiting any of these symptoms, remain exposed only at your own risk.

An Online Magazine for Peace Day, 9/21

noreply@blogger.com (Dave Gerlits) — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 23:59:00 +0000

Judy Morgan, the co-chair of the Peacemaking CSAI Core Team at the UUA has sent us this message:

Hi, all,
If you want to check this out, this is an excellent online magazine prepared for Peace Day, 9/21...

www.PeaceDayMagazine.com

Peace,
Judy

It's a very cool online magazine, and when you look at it and leaf through it, it looks and sounds like a real magazine. It's better than a paper magazine, because all the link in the articles click through to the associated websites. And it has a table of contents you can pull up at any time, as well as a word search.

And it has almost 100 pages of content, chock full of what people are doing all around the world. It has a great layout, tons of pictures, and lots of content. If you're excited about peace day, this is the magazine to read.

The Peace Pole is Ready

noreply@blogger.com (Dave Gerlits) — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 00:29:00 +0000

Bobbi, Henry, and I removed the supports from the Peace Pole this evening, filled in the foundation area with crushed stone, and prettied up the area.

The pole looks beautiful, and is all set for Sunday's dedication.

Special thanks goes out again to Steve Derdiarian for his help with planting the pole.

Planting the Peace Pole

noreply@blogger.com (Dave Gerlits) — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 13:02:00 +0000

Steve Derdiarian and Dave Gerlits worked on Saturday afternoon at the church to dig a post hole, pour a concrete footing, and set the Peace Pole in the ground. The Peace Pole is a gift from the Peace Ministry for the congregation.

The peace pole will be the centerpiece of the Peace Garden for our church.

Here's a link to some pictures we took early in the process. We'll add pictures of the pole when the concrete has had a chance to set, and we've finished the installation.

It was a lot of work, but was also a lot of fun.

Daily Peace Quotes from the Living Compassion Web Site

noreply@blogger.com (Dave Gerlits) — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 21:04:00 +0000

Living Compassion is a website that includes information that may be of interest to those interested in peacemaking. The site talks about "Living Compassion, transforming lives, ending suffering," and encourages "peace through personal transformation."

The URL for the site is: http://www.livingcompassion.org/

Look under the "Peace Practices" tab and click on "Daily Peace Quotes" if you'd like to receive the Daily Peace Quote. This is a perfect way to start your day.

Designing a Peace Pole

noreply@blogger.com (Dave Gerlits) — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 20:38:00 +0000

By Bobbi Tayne Gerlits

We knew it would be a challenge, but we were willing to accept it. The benefits to us, to the FUSF community, and hopefully to the wider community, would be well worth our efforts. In late spring of 2008 the PEACE Ministry decided to design a Peace Pole. It was to be our gift to the First Universalist Society in Franklin.

I first encountered the idea of a Peace Pole a little over a year ago when I was researching the International Day of Peace. The Peace Pole Project offered a wonderful explanation of Peace Poles.

“A Peace Pole is a hand-crafted monument that displays the message and prayer May Peace Prevail on Earth on each of its four or six sides, usually in different languages. There are more than 200,000 Peace Poles in 180 countries all over the world dedicated as monuments to peace. They serve as constant reminders for us to visualize and pray for world peace.”

Now that we knew about the Peace Pole Project, the PEACE Ministry wanted to be a part of it. We felt that the sentiment of the Peace Pole was in perfect alignment with two of our Principles:

We covenant to affirm and promote:
• The inherent worth and dignity of every person
• The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all.

Deciding to bring a Peace Pole to FUSF was easy. Designing the Peace Pole proved much more challenging, and brought into the forefront another of our Principles – the use of the democratic process.

Try to imagine the challenge we faced during this design phase. Should our Peace Pole have four sides or six? Should it be made out of aluminum or Western Red Cedar? Should it have four languages, six languages, eight languages, or twelve languages? Should the languages be on Plexiglas plaques or should they be sandblasted on the Peace Pole? And, probably most important, what languages should we choose?

Deciding which languages to include was the greatest challenge. All were worthy! We wanted all of them! The Peace Pole Makers USA offered 50 Standard Language choices and 83 Special Languages. The Standard Language choices ranged from Arabic to Zulu and also included Leaf Prints, Paw Prints, and Sign Language. The possibility of including Leaf Prints and/or Paw Prints brought to mind another Principle: Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part. The Special Language choices ranged from Albanian to Zuni and included many Native American languages.

The PEACE Ministry had no trouble agreeing on a four-sided, Western Red Cedar, sandblasted Peace Pole, with eight languages. Once that was decided we had to whittle down the 133 languages into something more manageable. Members offered languages for consideration and included their reasons for offering them. In typical UU fashion it was a wonderful discussion of interesting ideas and perspectives. The members brought forward a total of 16 languages for consideration, and it was at this point that the democratic process was employed.

The PEACE Ministry would like everyone viewing the Peace Pole to be able to read our prayer in his or her native language, however, that’s not possible. There aren’t enough sides to the Pole and nowhere near enough space. In our hearts and minds our Peace Pole includes all languages and honors all beings. We have represented our feelings of world inclusiveness by selecting the following languages, which are listed in the order in which they are displayed: English, Arabic, Swahili, Hebrew, Chinese, Spanish, Hindi, and Hungarian.

Please join us after services on Sunday, September 21st as the members of the PEACE Ministry give our gift of a Peace Pole to the First Universalist Society in Franklin. We have specifically chosen this day to have the Peace Pole dedicated. It is the International Day of Peace.

Our Peace Ministry Happening

noreply@blogger.com (Dave Gerlits) — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 00:43:00 +0000

Bobbi presented an excellent program on Tuesday, and it was the "bonding experience" that she had promised that it would be.

She began the evening with a song instead of a reading. She played Simon and Garfunkle's "Silent Night / The Seven O'Clock News". After we listened to this very powerful song, Bobbi discussed how important the song is to her, and read the words from the news so that we all could hear what the newscaster in the song read to us. After that, we spent some time in quiet reflection, then we shared our thoughts and feelings about the song.

The most interesting exercise of the evening was called "Living on the Mobius Strip" from Parker Palmer's book "A Hidden Wholeness." In this exercise, we used a strip of paper to represent the our inner and outer nature, and saw how the relationship between the two can change during the phases of our lives.

We spent a lot of time reflecting on how we saw the phase that Parker Palmer describes playing out in our own lives, and shared a lot about the times when we our inner and outer lives were and were not in harmony.

She closed the evening by reading a poem by a fellow parishoner named Gene Oulette called "Choices."

It was a wonderful evening, and a great tribute to the spirit of peace this holiday season.

Drum for Peace Day

noreply@blogger.com (Dave Gerlits) — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 00:17:00 +0000

Dave Curry from Drums for One and All sent us this announcement. We wanted to pass it on because is combines two of our favorite things: Peacemaking and Drumming.

Spirit in Nature Pathways
Invites everyone to our second annual "Drum for Peace Day"
Saturday, October 13th
At the Cuvilly Arts and Earth Center
10 Jeffreys Neck Road
Ipswich, MA 01938
From 2pm to 6pm

2:00-2:30 Meditation Drumming for Peace (facilitated by Dave Curry)
2:30-3:15 Silent Path Walk
3:15-3:45 Peace dialogue at the Meditation Circle (bring a favorite
peace quote to read)
4:00-4:30 Pot luck (bring your favorite harvest food dish and a beverage)
4:30-6:00 Open Drum Circle (facilitated by Dave Curry)

Bring a drum or percussion instrument if you have one.
Dave Curry will bring a variety of drums for borrowing.
Bring water, chairs, blankets, and spend a day outdoors in the crisp fall air.
And of course bring the children.
Event is Rain or shine. We can go indoors if necessary.

Directions to Cuvilly Arts and Earth Center

Take route 95 north to 128 north to exit 20A (Hamilton route 1A north)
Stay on Rt 1A thru the town of Wenham, then Hamilton to Ipswich (10-15 min drive)
You will go by the Myopia Polo club on the right hand side.
Look for the Ipswich Common on your left, then see a green road sign for Rt 1A/133
At this point go straight before the 1A sign (don't follow 1A any longer).
Continue thru the first stop sign and follow the road around to the right and you will see the Ipswich General Store on your right hand side and just after will be a boat docking
area on your right.
Facing you will be a white picket fence, bear left onto Jeffreys Neck Road
Less than a tenth of a mile on the left is Cuvillys sign .
We'll be in the garden right near the parking lot.
Call Dan Shea if lost or delayed at 781-439-8891

Our International Day of Peace Events

noreply@blogger.com (Dave Gerlits) — Sat, 22 Sep 2007 05:25:00 +0000

We held our noontime vigil and evening celebrations today with a small but committed group of celebrants.

We are very happy that we held these events, and are satisfied that we contributed towards the cause of peace.

A Story of Peace: The Didgeridoo and the Flute

noreply@blogger.com (Dave Gerlits) — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 01:50:00 +0000

Didgeridoo and the Flute

By V. Sean River from the story told by Vladimir Cardema

Revised September 1, 2007

In the Golden Gate Park near the tennis courts there is a small tunnel. Not often used, it makes a shaded walkway for those on foot.

With the city of San Francisco bustling all around, the tunnel was a place of solitude for a flute player who went there often to still his mind and enjoy his music in an acoustical chamber.

On a foggy mid-summer morning, Vladimir felt as though he was coming down with the flu. His Native American flute was by his bedside table but he felt uninspired to move. Then a voice deep within him urged him to go to the sacred tunnel.

On this morning, against the protesting aches in his body, he took the hour-long bus ride to the park.

Now as his head throbbed and his body grumbled, he remembered that the Native American flute was a great meditative tool to silence his thoughts and discomforts. So he sat cross-legged, closed his eyes and played.

Vlad was deep in a trance when from far away he heard an unfamiliar sound. At the same time, it was vaguely familiar. The rhythmic drone, still in the distance, moved steadily towards him. Then it began mixing with his flute music. His eyes were still closed as the haunting sounds came closer and closer.

Vlad recognized the sound from the movie The Right Stuff in a sequence where astronauts were orbiting thousands of miles above Australia.

They were witnessing millions of tiny firefly lights and hearing strange sounds. They were baffled by it. So they called their base down in Australia. They were told that directly below them a corroboree was happening. The Aboriginals had a giant bonfire going and flames were shooting up into the air creating, from the perspective of the astronauts, the effect of sparkling fireflies. This great fire was accompanied by didgeridoo. That is the first time Vlad heard the distinctive primal sound of the didge.

The movie scene flashed in his minds eye. Then he was back in the tunnel.

A stranger playing this strange-sounding instrument walked out of the fog and into the tunnel. The flute players eyes opened wide and stared at the silhouette that looked like a tall lanky aboriginal. They both kept playing.

Their flute and didge blended so beautifully that the music carried them. They were in perfect pitch together. The mystery-man sat down right beside Vlad.

He could see the friendly smile in his neighbors eyes. That allowed him to relax into the music they were creating. Vlad closed his eyes and drifted into the boundless abyss while continuing to play.

There he saw a vision. He was a dolphin, an embodiment of the flute, swimming in a dark blue
ocean. Right beside him was a giant blue whale, symbolizing the didge. They were swimming side by side, united in the harmony of music.

The music slowly subsided and faded away. Vladimir was smiling blissfully. As he slowly opened his eyes he saw that the stranger was beaming too. It was the perfect beginning of a new friendship.

Vlad was fresh out of the Israeli army, where he had been indoctrinated to hate Iranians. Now he discovered that the didge player was a Persian (from Iran) named Farzin.

In this moment the illusion of duality dissolved and the mortal enemy became his best friend.

Over the next weeks and months, their affinity deepened. Before the way took them in different
directions, the Israeli gave Farzin a flute hed made and the Persian gave Vlad his first didgeridoo.

He said "Vlad, if you can play this didge it is yours. If not you can gift it to someone else."

In two days Vladimir was circular breathing and playing the didge. Hed found another tool for his meditations, another companion for his life journeys.

The event in the tunnel happened ten years ago. Vlad grew in experience with the didge and in time discovered another aspect of this instrument its power to focus and amplify the healing intention of the player.

Today he guides people on meditative sound healing journeys with the didgeridoo and flute.
***
Vladimir Cardema gives vibrational healing sessions, conducts classes and concerts with his flute and didgeridoo in northern California.
© 2007 Gary R. Smith

See this story with picutres and videos here.

International Day of Peace Celebration

noreply@blogger.com (Dave Gerlits) — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 00:36:00 +0000

A celebration of the International Day of Peace will take place at the First Universalist Society in Franklin (FUSF) on Friday, September 21, 2007. The FUSF PEACE Ministry has planned two events to honor this important day, and welcomes anyone from Franklin or the surrounding communities to participate. Both events will be held in the sanctuary and are free of charge.

The sanctuary will be open from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm to provide an opportunity for personal reflection and meditation. Fifteen minutes of silence will be observed from 12:00 noon to 12:15 pm to connect Franklin with others around the world who will be observing silence at noon, local time.

At 7:30 pm members of the PEACE Ministry will honor and celebrate the day through words, prayers, songs, visual displays, and crafts.

The International Day of Peace was established by a United Nations resolution in 1981 and was first inaugurated on the third Tuesday of September 1982. In 2002 the UN General Assembly set September 21st as the permanent date for the International Day of Peace. The United Nations General Assembly felt that the day “should be devoted to commemorating and strengthening the ideals of peace both within and among all nations and peoples.”

The First Universalist Society in Franklin (FUSF) is located at 262 Chestnut Street in Franklin and is wheelchair accessible. For more information please contact Bobbi Tayne Gerlits at (508) 520-2348.

The PEACE Ministry Focus

noreply@blogger.com (Dave Gerlits) — Sun, 26 Aug 2007 00:48:00 +0000

(Peacemaking Education and Action through Collaborative Efforts)

The focus of the PEACE Ministry is to raise consciousness and inspire action for the cultivation of peace. Through a variety of programs and activities, we will provide opportunities to explore various pathways to peace. We believe that by sowing the seeds of justice, equity, and compassion, we can begin to promote the spirit of peace.