"Wars are poor chisels for carving out peaceful tomorrows"-Martin Luther King, Jr.

Saturday, October 11, 2003 7:00pm
Nelson United Church (602 Silica, at Josephine)

Circle of Hope Introductory Remarks: Families of victims of the tragedy at the World Trade Center have formed an organization called "September 11th families for Peaceful Tomorrows." Peaceful Tomorrows have called for communities around the world to organize "Circles of Hope events, stating, "In the immediate aftermath of the tragedy of September 11th, 2001, expressions of sympathy and solidarity with the victims poured in from people all over the world. In addition, a climate of fear emerged, preventing deep discussion of issues surrounding the tragedy, and driving apart people with diverging visions of how to respond to 9/11. We can overcome this fear and rekindle the hope by recognizing that real security comes through our common desire for healing in our fragmented world."

So we, along with many communities around the world, some as far away as Argentina are drawing together in Circles of hope. We welcome all of you here to share with us this evening as we speak of our "tools, and the means for creating a peaceful tomorrow for our world."

Songs in community - David Boyd on Guitar Please sing along! Trish Bennett leads singing.

"A city leader's role in building for a more peaceful world"

- Speaker: Les Carter, Mayor of Rossland, BC.
- Speaker: David Elliott, Mayor of Nelson, BC

"What to know about the Muslim Religion and the Jewish Religion and all of our connectedness."

- Speakers: video-taped presentation with Rabbi Lynn Gottelieb, of the Jewish Peace Fellowship, and Abdul Rauf of the Muslim Peace Fellowship, both are with the Fellowship Of Reconciliation (FOR). These Muslim and Jewish leaders together lead Muslim - Jewish Peace Walks throughout North America. They also have jointly led Interfaith Peace Builders delegations to Lebanon Israel and Palestine.

Song - David Boyd on Guitar Please sing along! Trish Bennett leads the singing

"Global Economic Policies Toward a Just Tomorrow"

- Speaker : David Boyd, Minister, Nelson United Church and Kootenay Fellowship Of Reconciliation

(topic to be announced later)

- Speaker: Nolan Gingrich, Minister, Lutheran Ascension Church

"The Non-Violent Peace Movements in the Middle East."

- Speaker: Jim Terral, Kootenay Fellowship Of Reconciliation, Leaving late Oct. 2003 with FOR Interfaith Peace Builders Delegation to the Middle East.

(Music performance to be arranged)

"The United Nations Nations Cooperating For Peaceful Tomorrows"

- Speaker: John J. Verigen, Union of Spiritual Communities of Christ, and United Nations Association, Kootenay Regional Branch.

"Working For Human Rights For a Peaceful Tomorrow"

- Speaker: Gary Ockenden, Amnesty International Canada

"Recognize the Interdependence of All Beings"

- Speaker: Paul Erickson, Kootenay Buddhist Peace Fellowship

"Working With The School of the Americas Watch"

- Speaker: Bud Godderis, School Of the Americas Watch and FOR

"Thoughts from the MIR Centre"

- Speaker: Myler Wilkenson, The MIR Centre

"Purposeful Acts of Kindness"

- Introduced by Trish Bennett
This is a "Memorial to All Victims of Violence". Please take the paper that is being passed around to deposit your "Purposeful Act of Kindness" in the heart-shaped boxes provided. These personal expressions will be consolidated and posted (without names attached) in the church lobby for reading starting in November as a community's commitment to purposeful actions toward a more peaceful tomorrow.

"Celebrate the Preciousness of Existence"

- Speaker: Isaac Romano. Kootenay Fellowship Of Reconciliation and Kootenay Jewish Peace Fellowship.

Song: Shalom Chaverim
- Please sing along with Isaac Romano:
Shalom chaverim, Shalom chaverim, Shalom Shalom, "Peace my friends, peace my friends. Peace, Peace."
Le hitraot. Le hitraot, Shalom, Shalom. "Till we meet again. Till we meet again. Peace Peace."

Following the event, join us downstairs for tea, coffee and pastries.

FIRST ANNUAL KOOTENAY CIRCLES OF HOPE INTERFAITH THANKSGIVING EVENT
Initial co-sponsoring organizations confirmed: Nelson United Church, USCC Working Groups, Kootenay Fellowship Of Reconciliation, The MIR Centre, Kootenay Buddhist Peace Fellowship, Kootenay Jewish Peace Fellowship, The Advocacy Centre