AMAZING PEACE by Maya Angelou

It is what we have hungered for.
Not just the absence of war.  But true Peace.
A harmony of spirit, a comfort of courtesies.
Security for our beloveds and their beloveds.

We clap hands and welcome the Peace of Christmas.
We beckon this good season to wait awhile with us.
We, Baptist and Buddhist, Methodist and Muslim, say come.
Peace.
Come and fill us and our world with your majesty.

We, the Jew and Jainist, the Catholic and the Confucian,
Implore you to stay while with us
So we may learn by your shimmering light
How to look behond complexion and see community.

It is Christmas time, a halting of hate time.

On this platform of peace, we can create a language
To traanslate ourselves to ourselves and to each other.

At this Holy Instant, we celebrate the Birth of Jesus Christ
Into the great religions of the world.
We jubilate the precious advent of trust.
We shout with glorious tongues the coming of hope.
All the earth's tribes loosen their voices
To celebrate the promise of Peace.

We Angels and Mortals, Believers and Nonbelievers,
Look heavenward and speak the word aloud.
Peace.  We look at our world and speak the word aloud.
Peace.  We look at each other, then into ourselves,
And we say without shyness or apology or hesitation:
           Peace, My Brother
           Peace, My Sister
           Peace, My Soul

Rosemary Doyle

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

                       May the spirit of peace fill your home 
                                       this holiday season!

                 Let's dedicate ourselves to work for peace 
                                       in the new year!

                     Thank you for being a soldier of peace! 

                                      George and Colleen 

Citizens for Peace on the Radio

What an Exiting Year of Peace We Our Planning!!

It was fun talking to Annette at Body Mind Spirit Radio yesterday morning.
I got to talk about all of the great plans the Citizens for Peace have coming up!
I'm very excited about sharing another year of peacemaking with you!
Click here to listen:
http://bodymindspiritradio.com/events/peace-plan

Happy Holidays & Happy New Year!

PEACE!

Colleen

Kim Redigan Talk on Her Visit to Haiti

 Kim Redigan and a Book Exchange at our Dec. 11th Meeting!

An educator, activist, mother, writer and advocate of active nonviolence, discusses her passion for peace with the Citizens for Peace as well as the public at Unity of Livonia Tuesday, December 11^th at 7 p.m.

Kim Redigan, of Dearborn Heights, who teaches at U of D High School, will tell of her recent trip to Haiti where she participated in a Peace Camp for the children living in Cite Soleil, a shantytown outside of Port-au-Prince. Her first trip to Haiti took her to the mountainous area for a celebration of the first college graduating class in rural Haiti.

With the two different perspectives of education in Haiti, Kim will share her experiences and impressions of education in Haiti.

Kim also teaches Social Justice at a two week Peace Camp every summer in Detroit. Her passion for peace has taken her to the Middle East with the Michigan Peace team three times in the last ten years. She is a nonviolence trainer with the Michigan Peace Team and writes for their newsletter. Kim serves on the board of Pax Christi MI; the Michigan Coalition of Human Rights; Southeastern MI Jobs with Justice; and is on the Coordinating Committee of the Detroit Area Peace with Justice Network. She is a peace ambassador with an extensive background of peace activism and will give a dynamic presentation on education in Haiti.

There will also be a Book Exchange after the presentation.  Anyone bringing a favorite book to trade can select another book to take home.  Unity of Livonia is located at 26880 Five Mile Road. All are welcome.

Steve Deasy Concert

Steve Deasy's  "Let Me Make Peace" Concert

Here's the link to our 9th Anniversary Concert with Steve Deasy!

Thanks Kevin 'Mr. Peace' Szawala for recording this fun evening!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xwUz05H6QM4

(Steve Deasy Concert)

 

Peace,

Colleen

Compassionate Citizen Award

Caroline and Jerry Trout Receive the First Compassionate Citizen Award

What a wonderful evening it was giving the Compassionate Citizen Award to Caroline and Jerry Trout!

Here's the link (thanks to Kevin 'Mr. Peace' Szawala!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSa08l9BizE

(Compassionate Citizen Award Presentation)

 

Peace, 

Colleen

Thank You Steve Deasy!

What a great concert Steve performed for the Citizens for Peace 9th Anniversary!!

Our 9th Anniversary was a magical evening thanks to the wonderful music of Steve Deasy.
He designed the concert for the Citizens for Peace. He played the piano, guitar and harmonica;
and sang his own songs as well as songs from fellow songwriters. The concert was full of peace songs including his original song "Let Me Make Peace" and "Imagine". Steve sang some hilarious songs, as
well as songs that brought a few tears. If you would like to buy his CD, let me know.
Giving Caroline & Jerry Trout our first Compassionate Citizen Award was so special. Caroline was
surrounded by her family and friends. Let's hope we can follow Caroline & Jerry's example and be
more compassionate in 2013.
PEACE & HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
Colleen

Steve Deasy Will Perform the Concert on Tuesday!

Steve Deasy will be singing the "Let Me Make Peace" Concert for the 9th Anniversary Celebration of the Citizens for Peace Tuesday, November 13th at Unity of Livonia at 7 p.m. Julie Beutel is too sick to sing on Tuesday. She suggested Steve might be able to do the concert; and luckily, he can!!  Steve plays the piano, guitar, and harmonica. He writes and sings funny, thought provoking, and inspiring music. His performance will both entertain and involve all of us.  Steve will have his CD's available for purchase at the concert. For a sampling of Steve's music, visit his website: www.stevedeasy.com.
See you Tuesday!

Julie Beutel Concert for Peace

Julie Beutel Concert for Peace Celebrates 9^th Anniversary of the Citizens for Peace

The public is invited to celebrate the 9^th anniversary of the Citizens for Peace and enjoy a Concert for Peace with local peace troubadour Julie Beutel on Tuesday, November 13^th at Unity of Livonia at 7 p.m.

Julie Beutel is a singer, guitarist, teacher, mother, and peace activist who spent many years living and working in several European and Central American countries.  She worked with Witness for Peace in Nicaragua during the war for almost two years. She has performed before 20,000 people in D.C.; and smaller audiences in her many concerts held in her home, coffee houses, schools, nursing homes, peace rallies, and numerous fund raisers for many charities. Julie has the ability to make you cry, laugh out loud, or squirm.  Her voice is beautiful and rich.  Her performances are personal, intimate and fun.  She tells stories, cracks jokes, and shares her passion for the truth. She loves to sing and perform more than almost anything else. Her audiences enjoy her and send the love back in a mutual exchange of joy.

The Citizens for Peace will present their first Compassionate Citizen Award honoring

Caroline and Jerry Trout.  When Caroline’s cousin and her husband were killed in an accident, they left five children including a toddler.  Caroline and Jerry adopted all five children to add to their family of two children. At Jerry Trout’s recent funeral service, their now adult children expressed their love, gratitude and admiration for both of their parents, showing that compassionate action is like a boomerang – it comes back to the sender. Telling stories of local heroes like Caroline and Jerry will hopefully inspire all of us to act compassionately in our own lives.

Following the concert, the celebration will end with participants enjoying an anniversary cake. 

All are welcome. 

Dr. David Connell Talk

Forgiveness: The Path to Peace

We enjoyed hearing Dr. David Connell's talk on forgiveness at our October meeting.
It is worth listening to again. Thanks to Kevin 'Mr. Peace' Szawala, we have the recording.
Enjoy!!

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VagaifQv8SI

The Day of Peace Was a Very Special Day!!

Citizens for Peace volunteers show up to talk to the participants of the ONE PEACE celebration of the United Nations International Day of Peace at the Livonia Civic Center Library on Sat. Sept. 22nd.

What a fun day it was! The Gemini Concert had everyone from toddlers to seniors smiling, singing, clapping, laughing, and enjoying the great peace songs, stories, and folk songs. Music was sure the universal language of peace at this event.

Participants enjoyed viewing the Peace Pals International Art Display, browsing the peace tables, and creating peace art.

Thanks to everyone who attended and a special thank you to the Citizens for Peace members who helped make it such a successful, friendly, memorable day!

ONE PEACE Celebrates the UN International Day of Peace with a Family Event

The GEMINI SONGS OF PEACE CONCERT is the highlight of the fifth annual ONE PEACE celebration of the United Nations International Day of Peace on Saturday September 22nd from 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. at the Livonia Civic Center Library Auditorium.

The family concert begins at 2:00 PM. and is a fun performance that will delight everyone from preschoolers to seniors. Gemini's twin brother musicians, Sandor and Laszlo, have been sharing their joy and musical talents for many years. They will engage the audience with a blend of memorable songs of peace, as well as folk songs from around the world. It will be an experience that will move our hearts, feet, and voices!

ONE PEACE began five years ago to bring people together to celebrate the UN International Day of Peace. The planning committee collaborated on the ONE PEACE mission: to inspire and motivate people to come together as ONE human family to generate inner peace and create a boundless world landscape of compassion, hope, love and PEACE.

Visitors will view the Peace Pals International Art Exhibit showing children's art from 65 countries. This colorful display expresses the vision "May Peace Prevail on Earth" from young people around the world.

There will be hands on activities for children including coloring a peace picture and decorating a peace sign.  Citizens for Peace members will be reading to children from the many books on peace from the Children’s Peace Collection donated to the library. 

Informational tables will be set up in the atrium.  The United Nations Association of Greater Detroit; The Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom; Swords into Plowshares Peace Gallery; and the Citizens for Peace will have displays and unique items for sale.

ONE PEACE 2012 will be an opportunity to celebrate peace through art, music, stories, activities, information sharing, and more!  There will be something for families, friends, neighbors, teachers, students, and everyone desiring a more peaceful world.

October 9, 2012 Meeting

Press Release

Contact:  Ann Abdoo

Organization: Citizens for Peace

Telephone: 734-748-8309

Email: arabdoo@earthlink.net

Blog: citizensforpeace11.blogspot.com

Forgiveness – the Path to Peace

Learn how to forgive yourself and others at the Citizens for Peace meeting on October 9, 2012 at 7 pm at Unity of Livonia, 26880 Five Mile Rd., Livonia, Michigan (east of Middlebelt).

  

Free yourself from the bonds of negativity at an experiential program conducted by Dr. David Connell. With over forty years of clinical practice, Dr. Connell will explain the psychological and spiritual aspects of forgiveness.  Using the teachings of native people and shamans, he will show you step by step how to achieve a state of forgiveness.  Come to this very special program to participate or observe. 

Dr. Connell is a clinical psychologist trained in and practitioner of Transpersonal Psychology,    a discipline which blends psychotherapy and spirituality.  His personal quest for spiritual growth includes seventeen years of formal Christian education, thirty-four years of training and practice in Siddha Yoga, utilizing meditation and Kundalini awakening. 

He has travelled to Europe, India and parts of the United States to study with Gurus, Mother Theresa, Ram Das, the Dali Lama and others who teach from a holistic perspective.  This perspective holds that we are all mind, body, spirit entities.  For the past fifteen years he has been training and practicing and incorporating the teachings of native peoples and Shamans.  

Come and experience your own forgiveness.   

####

Colleen Mills on Body Mind Spirit Radio

It was fun talking to Annette on the radio about all of the great summer activities of the Citizens for Peace and the super events coming up! I'd love to hear your comments. Peace, Colleen
Click HERE to listen.

September 11th Meeting Highlights the Nonviolent Peace Collection!

On this solemn day, Citizens for Peace members will share their readings and reports from a variety of the books donated to the Library Network. The Nonviolent Peace Bibliography contains over 630 titles! The books can be found at the Livonia Civic Center Library. The adult collection has its separate space on the second floor of the library. There are also many children's books in the Children's section of the library.
We have also donated books to the Commerce Township, Redford and Westland Libraries. It is one way the Citizens for Peace are contributing to making a shift from the focus on war to the many aspects of peace. Join us for an inspiring meeting at 7 o'clock at Unity of Livonia.

The Citizens for Peace Dedicate a Peace Pole!

George & Colleen were happy to share their Peace Poll with the Citizens for Peace!
Citizens for Peace members read their favorite quotes as part of the dedication.
Peace Troubadour, Cecilia St. King, concluded the dedication ceremony with her beautiful songs.
We not only dedicated the Peace Pole, but we committed ourselves to continue
our work for peace!

We joined the 200,000 Peace Poles in over 200 countries with the wish "May Peace Prevail on Earth". Our Peace Pole expresses that sentiment in 8 languages: Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Russian, Bantu (South African), Indian, English, and Lakota Sioux.

Thanks to everyone who participated!
Peace,
George & Colleen

Great Article in the Observer!

Click Here to read.

Thanks to Lynda Herman, Sharon Brand, George Mills, Maryanne McCallister, Dottie Ochala, Linda Lieder, Paul Castillo and Janice Allen for their contribution to a fun day!

Peace,
Colleen

Dottie, Janice, Linda & George preparing lunch for the participants in PEACE, LOVE & YOGA Day

PEACE, LOVE & YOGA Day was a big success!!

The peace and love energy was palpable at the Peace, Love and Yoga Day sponsored by the Yoga Association of Greater Detroit (YAGD) and the Citizens for Peace on Saturday, August 25^th at the Livonia Senior Center. Lynda Herman, president of the YAGD, Sharon Brand, yoga instructor at the Senior Center and other locations, and Colleen Mills, president of the Citizens for Peace planned and hosted the all day celebration.

Lynda Herman put out requests for yoga and meditation teachers to volunteer their talents for the special day. Karen Farkas, Lynda and Sharon’s yoga teacher, was asked to be the keynote speaker. Karen shared her story of how discovering the practice of yoga saved her life. After a very difficult time in her life, she responded to a notice about a yoga class. It was the inspiration she needed to turn her life around. As a yoga teacher for 40 years, Karen has influenced countless others to live mindfully through the practice of yoga and meditation. She encouraged the attendees to take the practice off their mats and into their daily lives by looking at all they see as if for the first time; really hearing as if it’s the first sound; noticing the taste of food before swallowing; appreciating the smells of the earth; being aware of the whole body in space; walking, sitting, moving with awareness; and paying attention to the wonder and beauty of the world.

The day, (8:15 a.m. – 3:15 p.m.), included classes for all levels of yoga practice, from beginners to advanced practitioners. There was Mindful Yoga with Mimi Holland-Moritz; Sun Salutations with June McCarthy; Chair Yoga with Christine Walbridge; The Five Tibetans with Diane Siegel-Divita; and Flow with Peace, Love and Yoga with Sharon Brand.

Kathy Bindu Henning led a session on Present Moment Meditation. A devotee of meditation for 35 years, Kathy teaches classes at various places around the metro area, including the Livonia Senior Center and Schoolcraft College.

Lunch was prepared by George Mills and volunteers from the Citizens for Peace. After lunch, Colleen Mills shared some thoughts on her practice of yoga and meditation.

“Besides the obvious effect of keeping our bodies fit, flexible and balanced, yoga and meditation helps us to focus; reduce stress; block out the world; enrich one’s spirit; turn off the chatter in our brain; go to an experiential peace zone; and open the heart chakra – the seat of peace, harmony, laughter and love.” Colleen congratulated everyone on choosing love. She discussed the four needs of the heart: attention; affection; appreciation and acceptance. “Developing a yoga and meditation practice fulfills these four needs” she said.

After lunch, yoga teacher Jan Chekirda provided mandalas and markers to the participants. The result was a variety of colorful expressions, each as unique as snowflakes. It was a relaxing, artistic meditation. Also, The Happiness Prescription video was shown and viewers received the wisdom of Deepak Chopra on the keys to happiness. He shared the research that the happiest people are those who make others happy. Colleen Mills thanked everyone and encouraged participants to take the love and peace energy generated from Peace, Love and Yoga Day back to their families and communities and share some loving kindness with everyone they meet, starting with the easiest form of peace work: a smile!

For more information on yoga or meditation classes or the activities of the Citizens for Peace visit the websites www.yagd.org, www.livinginthepresentmoment.com

and www.citizensforpeace11.blogspot.com.

TED Mark Bittman "What's Wrong With What We Eat"

Colleen Mills, Citizens For Peace president showed the TED video by Mark Bittman "What's Wrong With What We Eat". Several attendees wanted to see it again so this post is for everyone who would like to see the video again or for the first time. While the presentation was made in 2007 it is still relevant today.

Optimist Creed in Memory of Gerry Trout

Tonight we honored Gerry Trout one of our members who passed away last week by all in attendance at the vegetarian annual meeting reciting The Optimist Creed.