Fellowship of Reconciliation
Working for peace, justice and nonviolence since 1915

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Friends,

Nonviolent social change is in the air, from Middle America to the Middle East. Yet we know that nonviolent social change movements aren't spontaneous. They require midwives and mentors, and preparation of strong spirits, strong skills and solidarity.

Historians and the media often ignore the intense preparation and training that precede dramatic and courageous nonviolent actions. Some even suggest that we need grand new leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Jr., Dorothy Day, or Wangari Maathai.

We are the people we are waiting for! We are the ones to act!

Community-based training for generating nonviolent power

Creating a Culture of Peace offers preparation to future midwives and mentors: three-day, intensive nonviolence trainings to communities and conferences across the United States. Since its beginning at FOR, it has trained FOR chapters, religious peace fellowships, peace groups, congregations, colleges, youth groups and Veterans for Peace.

The training is experiential, participatory, transformative, and even fun! You'll learn the real power we have to make social change, get practice in strengthening your peacemaking skills to respond to violence and justice without using violence, and learn the steps in planning successful nonviolent action campaigns.

Costs vary from $50 to $250 for a three-day training, depending on whether it is a residential retreat or a commuter training, and on the number of participants. Four-day facilitator trainings are also available.

Upcoming nonviolence trainings

March 9-11: Greenfield, MA, Greenfield Community College. To register, contact Abbie Jenks, 413-775-1127, jenks@gcc.mass.edu.

March 30-April 1: St. Paul, MN, Hamline University Wesley Center and Minnesota FOR. Register online. For more information, contact the Wesley Center at 651-523-2750.

April 13-15, Minneapolis, MN, Faith Mennonite Church. To register, contact Phil Stoltzfus, 612-375-9483, stoltzfus@gmail.com.

July 30-Aug. 2: Northfield, MN, Workshop at the Baptist Peace Fellowship Conference, St. Olaf College. Learn more about the conference.

Additional trainings are already being planned in Maine, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York and Pennsylvania -- please get in touch for details.

No training near you? Bring CCP facilitators to your own community, organization, or congregation -- to find out how to get started, take a look at the host-organizer guide, and contact Janet Chisholm.

Learn more about Creating a Culture of Peace and help support its work.

Fellowship of Reconciliation  |  P.O. Box 271, Nyack, NY 10960
for@forusa.org  |  www.forusa.org  |  (845) 358-4601