Events

Peace Vigil

Weekly Peace Gatherings

A Proposal

• Peace as a term is manifested in many diverse ways in society.

• Peace for ourselves, neighbours, community, country, world.

Part 1

An appeal is made to as many groups to participate. Groups may be of a single faith, interfaith or non faith background. See Part 4.

Part 2 (or actual gathering that is intended to be a little inconvenient and uncomfortable!)

• At an nonvariable time 11am each Saturday. (time has significance)

• Greetings beforehand where necessary.

• A time for discernment, meditation, contemplation, prayer. IN SILENCE

• Time about 5 minutes. In circle or facing the pivotal point. Bowed heads.

• At a public place which may vary after a number of meetings at the same place. EXAMPLES: Public square, A Peace memorial, a statue of prominence, a special building.
In Saskatoon: City Hall Square, University Memorial Gates, Vimy Memorial, Gandhi statue, Peace Pole. A church or hall interior.

• At the end of this period of silence, people will then disperse in groups no larger than seven. Although we hope there will be one different group each week to form the nucleus, it would be helpful if knowns would meet with unknowns (shades of Rumsfeld).

Part 3 Discussion and Action

• The groups will gather for this section either by staying outdoors in summer-like weather or agree to adjourn to a meeting place such as a known area – café, restaurant, hall, meeting room.

• This is the tricky part. The people will then decide (or if they come with an agreed issue or topic but not an agenda) after hearing the topic people had on their mind during the silent discernment which one they will discuss.

• A need exists for a facilitator/chair who sees that everyone is part of the conversation and that no one monopolizes the conversation. Also some one might be needed to take a few notes. The titled sections below will be reproduced for a one page handout.

• The topic will be discussed at a rigourous level (Maximum 45 minutes) using these sections.

SEE (giving a title to the problem) ex climate change, family violence, Iraq, homeless, or specific to an ongoing crisis.
JUDGE (specific identification, description of, and attitude to, the issue)
ACTION (what are people prepared to do in a peaceful manner)

1. at the group level for their own “community” ex letter to the media.
2. at a personal level ex. make a point of discussion or education with people they associate.
3. with a larger community. This would mean referring the matter to a coordinating group with a dream of having 3 topical meetings a year. Would we need experts?

Part 4 Building the event

• Your cooperation is needed in building. Either contact groups who are willing to take a turn or relay the suggestions. We have dreams and hopes such as having a different nucleus group for every Saturday of the year. Thus we will need a timetable. Other groups and individuals would always be welcome, agreeing to the format in Parts 2 and 3.

• Phone calls to 242 1500 Tony Haynes e mail tonyhaynes@sasktel.net

End thought

Sure we could do this at home, but the exercise is to draw people into the open, physically and metaphorically.

We could use a faith building but wouldn’t there have to be details of place as well as participating group?

Click here to download PDF version of Weekly Peace Gatherings Proposal

Response Sheet

SEE (problem or issue stated)

JUDGE (background experience of the individuals in group)

ACT -1 Internal – your personal life

-2 External – connecting this issue to 5 people next week

-3 Group (public) communicate – letter, phone call, e mail etc.

Tony Haynes ph 242 1500 fx 244 6010 e.mail tonyhaynes@sasktel.net would like to know topic and action Web site www Saskatoonrcdiocese.com/justice and peace

Click here to download PDF version of Response Sheet