Friends,
 Although FOR's first century of work has been interwoven with many of the most important social justice movements of this era of history, the Fellowship has all-too-typically shunned the public spotlight.
Instead, FOR has achieved a reputation for "standing backstage" in support of more visible activists -- focused on our quiet, determined role to organize, train, and grow the grassroots peace and justice movement.
We are thrilled that an award-winning filmmaker couple, Nancy Savoca and Rich Guay, has identified FOR's nonviolent legacy as an unknown story that needs to be broadcast far and wide. For the past two years, these respected film professionals have been on a journey to research, document, and summarize this extraordinary history.
 Their labor of love has involved digging through dusty library archives, researching the internet for little-known photos and videos, and launching a series of interviews of movement elders and young justice leaders connected to FOR (more than two-dozen conducted thus far).
Ultimately, our filmmaker friends would love to see this project turn into a feature-length film as well as a series of edited video profiles drawn from these lengthy, rich interviews.
For now, we are excited to share a short work-in-progress that highlights FOR's first 100 years and vision for our future.
The debut screening of this 25-minute Centennial Film will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 6th at FOR's national headquarters in Nyack, New York, as part of our centennial celebrations.
Please join us!
 Along with the film screening, we welcome you to a wine and cheese reception and Peace Tower Dedication. Come, relax and chat with current and former FOR staff and national council members, 2015 and previous peace award winners, activists and enduring friends from near and far as we gather to celebrate our centennial at FOR's home base for more than half a century.
Come enjoy the tranquility of our Peace Room, gaze at the mighty Hudson River, and explore the magnificent grounds of a historic landmark, Shadowcliff mansion.
 The Tower for Peace, another labor of love, will be unveiled at 5:30 with a special dedication by the artist, Namaya, and his lead creative partner, Zoe. The four-sided tower displays 12-16 people who have made a difference for peace. It will stand approximately 12 feet tall as a witness to peace and be installed as the centerpiece of a new meditation garden.
Perhaps best known for his poem, One Thousand Flowers for Peace, which has been translated into nearly 100 languages (also part of the exhibit), Namaya and Zoe have been active in human rights activism all over the world. Please see Namaya's website to learn more.
While all of our centennial events next week are very exciting, I am particularly honored to be the MC of this extra special evening commemorating FOR's glorious history with the premier of a centennial documentary film in progress and the dedication of an art installation on the hallowed grounds of our national headquarters. I hope you will be there.
Faithfully yours,
 Ethan Vesely-Flad
Director of National Organizing
Fellowship of Reconciliation
P.S. Please reply to this email if you'd like to host a screening of the completed film in your own community.
Photos: Director Nancy Savoca with former FOR-USA executive director, Mark Johnson; producer Rich Guay and production assistant Sahar Alsahlani with Mark Johnson; film crew preparing for former Task Force for the Middle East director Leila Zand's interview; mock-up of initial proposal for Peace Tower courtesy of Namaya Productions. |
