Interfaith search for Peace Retreat

2831 Buena Vida Court | Las Cruces, New Mexico 88011 | 505-532-1693 | www.PeaceAware.com

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On March the 15th, 2003, 54 people attended the New Mexico Interfaith Search for Peace Retreat. We were only expecting 25. We spent from 2PM to 5:30PM sharing the search for peace statements of twenty different religions. 10 people from the day session represented results to the evening session where an additional 40 people attended. The various faith and lay leaders worked on questions of the day (see Program) and members of the evening session agreed to a Proclamation. We are thankful for the excellent turnout.

Our thanks go to Moira Kanim for contacting all the local congregation leaders about the event; Ann McCullough for her press releases, Anne Wing for graphic design, and all the wonderful delegates who shared their stories of what it means to be a peacemaker.

The New Mexico Interfaith Search for Peace delegates reporting in the evening session and all present at the evening session unanimously agreed to the March 15 2003

Interfaith Proclamation

"Peacemaking" is action. We stand for peace in this world. We continue interfaith dialog in our congregations. We educate congregations about the effects of war. We pray for world peace. We peacemakers emanate world peace. We send peace to government leaders, that they will be peacemakers. We declare, stand for, believe, and act to bring about world peace. Peacemaking is an act of strength.

All present stood for peace. See Participants.

Below are some of the items distributed and discussed at the March 15th Interfaith Search for Peace Retreat:

Purpose – To seek peace alternatives, to spend time in spiritual discernment, and find ways to be responsive to the fear and anger in our community. We promote Interfaith dialog among People of Faith. We see an obstacle that can be overcome. How do you talk to a congregation divided about war and peace? We meet to talk together to continue conversation among clergy and faith leaders. Beyond the horizon of this tragic wartime, there is the possibility world faith community will decide to pursue world peace and become peacemakers.

Thank you, and pray for peace.
David Boje, facilitator 532-1693

Click next items to get set of handouts we distributed at the event

Bishop Ramirez statement

for Peace

We also distributed the LAS CRUCES RESOLUTION FOR PEACE AND CIVIL LIBERTIES

QUOTES:

Education - We have assembled education materials that we hope will be of help you to talk about War and Peace to your congregation. We hope that the dialog we begin today might continue in your circle. Here are some peacemaker thoughts to begin the day:

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God" (Matthew 5: 9).

"Peacemaking" is action.

“May our candles rekindle the light of reason and hope so that war will be averted in Iraq and peace will prevail in the world” – Archbishop Desmond Tutu

“And how shall they preach, except they be sent? As it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!” - Romans 10:15

"I like to believe that people in the long run are going to do more to promote peace than our governments. Indeed, I think that people want peace so much that one of these days governments had better get out of the way and let them have it." - Dwight D. Eisenhower (1890 - 1969)

"Non-cooperation with evil is as much a duty as is cooperation with good." - Mahatma Gandhi

"Mankind must put an end to war, or war will put an end to mankind" - John F. Kennedy

"I will hear what God the Lord will speak; for he will speak peace unto his people and to his saints..." (Psalms 85:8).

"If your enemies are hungry, feed them." Romans 12:20

15 Mar - Sat - the NEW MEXICO INTERFAITH SEARCH FOR PEACE RETREAT was held. - PeaceAware invited leaders of New Mexico religious bodies to express their views. Place: Guthrie Hall, Room 100 at New Mexico State University (at University & Solano lot); Time: 2PM-6PM meeting of Faith Leaders. 6-8 PM Open meeting to all residents of Las Cruces, Mesilla, and Dona Ana County - to hear report out from Religious Leaders of Las Cruces, then Open Microphone. See report Religions for Peace
9-10:30 a.m. "Peace Chalk" Meet at the NMSU campus with peace art. See Flyer
1-2 PM Peace Vigil for Peace at corner of University & El Paseo
11 a.m.- 1 p.m. Bike Ride for Peace: Start from NMSU horseshoe (or Guthrie?). Group of cyclists (provide peace stickers for helmets - maybe some peace flags or energy independence/energy freedom stickers?) ride in ONE LANE, obey traffic laws. See Flyer
2PM-6PM -Interfaith Retreat for lay leaders; 4-6PM Pot Luck open to public; 6PM-8PM Open meeting & Candlelight Vigil and Speak-out SEE FLYER

Peacemaking Tips

Share your candle to rekindle the light of peacemaking.
To be peacemakers, I have to be peaceful.
As we come from many faiths, we seek songs, scriptures, or prayers that will make others feel comfortable and included in peacemaking.
Begin a peacemaking dialog today with people of other faiths.
Be a peacemaker; begin a global dialog.
Search for peace.
Turn off the propaganda machine.

Affirmations

There are alternatives to war.
Give peacemaking a chance.
I envision peace.
Peacemaking leads to peace; war-making leads to war.
Outer peacemaking starts with inner peace.
I am a beacon of light and peace.
The 21st century is an era of world peace.

Thank you from www.PeaceAware.com

Donate to ads promoting the event: The Bulletin ad was $108.79, the Sun-News cost $119.28, and the Round Up $40.50, totaling $268.57. During the day of the event we raised over $200 towards these costs. Thank you one and all.