Creating a culture of peace: Interfaith retreat in active nonviolence

Friday May 30 - Sunday June 1, 2008, Facilitated by Joan Haan, Don Christensen and Katherine Wojtan and sponsored by Minnesota Fellowship of Reconciliation at the ARC (Action, Reflection, Celebration) Retreat Center, 75 minutes north of St. Paul, near Cambridge, MN

What is CCP? Developed by the Fellowship of Reconciliation and Pace e Bene, CCP is an interfaith training focused on personal and social change. Its goal is to train community-based groups in living and acting nonviolently as a means of transforming our selves, our culture and our world.

CCP draws upon the wisdom and experience of the participants and the writings and active nonviolence of Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr., Thich Nhat Hahn, Dorothy Day and other leaders of faith communities and social justice movements. Through small and large group discussion, journaling, and ritual expression, individuals are invited to explore their own experience with violence and active nonviolence. We will use brainstorming, role-playing and simulation exercises to experience models and develop tools for nonviolent communication, problem solving, community-building, social analysis and planning community action.

This retreat is for persons interested in exploring active nonviolence with persons from different faith traditions and spiritual communities, in a safe and friendly environment.

Cost, which includes lodging, 6 meals and all program expenses, is $210 ($170 for students, seniors and persons on fixed income). Scholarship assistance is available. Registration is limited to 20 participants. We are seeking diversity of religious traditions, age, gender, income and race. Registration deadline is May 1. For more information and/or to register contact Don Christensen at rachelanddon[at]msn[dot]com or 651-690-2609.

Witness for Peace: Nicaragua Delegation June 18–28 2008

Health Care, Education and Sustainability: Are the Promises Being Fulfilled? When the Sandinista party won the elections in November 2006, President Daniel Ortega promised to expand health care services, make education more accessible, and provide support to small farmers. The focus of this delegation is to learn about whether those campaign promises are reversing the effect of globalization and neoliberal economic policies on the lives of Nicaraguans.

Participants will hear from representatives of those who have been most affected -- rural agriculture workers, service providers, and factory workers. Through formal and informal encounters with Nicaraguans, reflection, and a home-stay on the island of Ometepe on Lake Nicaragua, delegates will gain a broader understanding of themselves and their relationship to the global problem of poverty.

This delegation will include an orientation to Witness for Peace and the history of Nicaragua; meetings with economists, civic leaders and labor organizers to learn about the current socioeconomic situation; a home-stay in Ometepe with hands-on experiences led by health care providers, public school educators and campesinos; a meeting with US Embassy officials about US policy in Nicaragua; a final wrap-up and Action Planning session.

For more information contact Lyn Clark Pegg (218)348-3048 carolynpegg [at] yahoo [dot] com. You can also download a flyer here and view the Witness for Peace travel schedule here.

Witness for Peace is a politically independent, grassroots organization. They are people committed to nonviolence and led by faith and conscience. Visit their website for more information.