Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Join us for the Friday Night Film Series at Madonna University's Kresge Hall.
Donation: $5.00. All films start at 7 pm.
"Unnatural Causes: How Inequality Can Make You Sick"
October 9
Increases public awareness of our socioeconomic and racial/ethnic inequities
in health and their human and financial costs.
"American Dream, American Nightmare" October 16
Reveals the poor treatment many legal immigrants suffer at the hands of the
INS, offering first hand accounts from the victims themselves.
"Los Trabajadores - The Workers" October 23
Brings to life the vivid contradictions that haunt America's dependence and
discrimination against immigrant labor.
"Rethink Afghanistan" October 30
Focuses on the key issues surrounding this war. Directed by Robert Greenwald.
This MCHR Film Series will be at different times & places. Go to www.mchr.org.

Sunday, September 20, 2009

Yesterday our family attended the One Peace Event, enriching an already magnificent day. We were given this gift ,"The Mender Pledge" which we recited in unison, with all who attended. The energy was spectacular, miraculous. So it is with this energy that I share it with you, to share with others. I hope you enjoy it as much as we did and that through it you will experience the beauty of your wholeness and the connectedness and fullness of our oneness.

Peace to You and Yours with Love
Jerry

THE MENDER PLEDGE

I believe in inclusivity.
I believe that our lives are inextricably linked one to another. We cannot wage war against anyone without waging war against ourselves. Therefore, I will practice inclusivity with myself, my family, my community, the natural world, and all others. I will actively work toward the goal of an inclusive society, a world that works for all.

I know that we are One.
Therefore, I will give to you what I want for me. I know there is enough for all.


I want everyone to win.
Therefore, I will work to resolve all conflicts to every party’s satisfaction.

I want acceptance.
Therefore, I will accept myself for who and what I am, I will accept you for who and what you are, and I will accept all others for who and what they are. Even if I resist your behavior, I will accept you as a Child of God, a part of the Divine.

I want no harm.
Therefore, I will not harm myself or you or any others, by thought, word, or deed.

I want forgiveness.
Therefore, I will forgive myself, I will forgive you, and I will forgive all others.

I want to be free.
Therefore, I will not let others dominate, control, or manipulate me. And I will not dominate, control, or manipulate you or others.

I want peace.
Therefore, I will be peaceful with myself, with you, and with others.

I want love.
Therefore, I will love myself, I will love you, and I will love all others.

Monday, September 14, 2009

In today’s highly interdependent world, individuals and nations can no longer resolve many of their problems by themselves. We need one another; we must therefore develop a sense of universal responsibility. It is our collective and individual responsibility to protect and nurture the global family; to support its weaker members, and to preserve and tend to the environment in which we all live

The Dalai Lama



Peace to You and Yours with Love
Jerry

Thursday, September 03, 2009

Day After Peace Documentary

Angelina Jolie and Jude Law are featured in the Afghanistan documentary Day After Peace that will be shown at the monthly Citizens for Peace meeting on Tuesday, September 9th at Unity of Livonia. The public is invited.

The creator of the 80 minute film, Jeremy Gilley, worked for years to establish and promote September 21st as the United Nations International Day of Peace. Traveling to Afghanistan to spearhead a massive vaccination against polio on Peace Day is the ambitious effort highlighted in this inspiring film. The Day After Peace is a moving testament to the power of an individual and the perseverance of the human spirit.

Unity of Livonia is located on Five Mile between Middlebelt & Inkster. The movie starts at 7 pm. A $5.00 donation is appreciated. For more information call 734-425-0079.

Wednesday, September 02, 2009

Specific Directions for Entering the
SEASON FOR NONVIOLENCE ESSAY CONTEST

The World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes interpersonal violence in our communities and throughout the world as a major problem with costs in the United States estimated at $300 billion per year. The cost to victims was estimated at more than $500 billion per year. Combined, this is the equivalent to nearly 10% of our country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP)(The Economic Dimensions of Interpersonal Violence, WHO, 2004). It is both a national and international challenge for people to resolve conflicts peacefully. It is this challenge that motivates the Citizens for Peace to sponsor this essay contest. We are happy to have you join us in this effort.

ELIGIBILITY: Michigan high school and college students.

CASH AWARDS: $250, $100, $50 each for First, Second, and Third Place in
both high school and college divisions.

DEADLINE: March 12, 2010

AWARD
RECEPTION: April 13, 2010, 7:00 PM (winners posted by April 1 on blog)

THEME: PEACEFUL RELATIONSHIPS THROUGH ACTIVE NONVIOLENCE

FOCUS: Research violence in families, schools, or neighborhoods and how active
nonviolent action promoted cooperation, understanding, and/or reconciliation.


FORMAT: The essay should be no more than 500 words typed, double
spaced on 8.5” x 11” paper within the structure of the following
four parts:

1. Introduction: Your rationale for your thesis statement.
2. Body: The body of your essay should develop your position and include a)
description of the conflict, b) the nonviolent action, c) the barriers that
existed, and d) the outcome or results.
3. Conclusion: Your conclusion is the result of the analysis of your research
which supports your thesis and convinces the reader of your position.
Include your personal reflection on how this conclusion has impacted your
perspective on nonviolence as a pathway to peaceful relationships.
4. Sources: Include at least two sources from the Peace Bibliography.
The titles can be viewed at the Peace Collection link on Citizensforpeace11.blogspot.com. In addition, all sources must be listed and credited using a standard citation method. “Encyclopedias” are not
acceptable as sources. When using internet sources include author(s), title of work, internet address, and date information was accessed.

COVER PAGE: Complete the following Cover Page making sure that you and your parent/guardian sign (if age of student is under 18). Copy and attach the cover page to your essay before mailing.

QUESTIONS: Call 734-525-4326 or email arabdoo@earthlink.net

COVER PAGE

SEASON FOR NONVIOLENCE ESSAY CONTEST

THEME: “PEACEFUL RELATIONSHIPS THROUGH ACTIVE NONVIOLENCE”


1. Please Print and attach a copy of this form to the front of your essay.
2. Signature of student required.
3. Signature of parent/guardian required. (If student is under 18)

NAME _______________________________________________________________________

ADDRESS____________________________________________________________________

CITY/STATE/ZIP_____________________________________________________________

PHONE: __________________________________EMAIL_____________________________

HIGH SCHOOL NAME__________________________________________GRADE_______

COLLEGE NAME_________________________________________LEVEL_____________

CITY WHERE SCHOOL IS LOCATED__________________________________________

TEACHER/INSTRUCTOR NAME_______________________________________________


Please read the following and sign.

I am submitting an original essay to the Citizens for Peace essay contest, (title) __________________
______________________________________,_as they honor the Season for Nonviolence. I
certify that this essay is my own work and that I have abided by all the guidelines and requirements of the contest. I understand that my essay will not be returned to me and will become the property of the Citizens for Peace to use at its discretion in activities related to the contest. I further understand that the judges’ decisions are final and that if I am selected as a winner of the contest, I will be available for a photo for a press release.

Signed_______________________________________________________Date__________________

Parent/Guardian signature______________________________________Date__________________
(if student is under 18 years of age)



Mail to: Citizens for Peace SNV Essay Contest
31648 Pembroke, Livonia, MI 48152

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

September 2009 Special Events

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12th

WALK FOR PEACE Fundraiser

Join this fun & fitness activity to raise funds to support the Peace Alliance and their work for a Department of Peace!

Meet at St. John’s Episcopal Church at 10:30 am

26998 Woodward Avenue (Woodward & Eleven Mile)

The walk is 3 miles through Royal Oak

Call Dennis Mazurek at 313-433-4466 or Mike Mc Evoy at 313-756-6270

Sponsored by the MI Department of Peace Campaign

www.thepeacealliance.org.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17th

ONE PEACE Concert Fundraiser. Please join us for an evening of entertainment

and fun as local musicians showcase their talent and share their music. Proceeds go

toward the Sept. 19th ONE PEACE event, celebrating United Nations International

Day of Peace. Concert begins at 7:30pm @ Unity of Livonia. Come early and

browse the tables starting at 7 pm. Admission $10.00 at the door. For more info

visit: www.OnePeace.us

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 19

ONE PEACE celebrating United Nations International Day of Peace 1-4 pm.

"Creating a World that Works for All" with special guest speaker and author

Dr. Sharif Abdullah. Also, "insightful meditations", local poet Willowbei Eversole,

metro Detroit musicians, and more. All are welcome. Suggested attire logo-free whites.

Donations appreciated. Schoolcraft College VisTaTech Center, Livonia.

For more info and to reserve your seat on-line visit: www.OnePeace.us.


DoPeace- You Are Welcome to Join

What is DoPeace? It's a social networking site. In internet jargon web 2.0. It's a place to meet people who support and promote the Department of Peace legislation and other peace and nonviolent activities.

At DoPeace you can interact with others by posting photos and videos. And of course you can post your ideas and activities as well as comment on other posts. But if you prefer to read all the exciting activities that is happening across our great land and in other parts of the world that too is lots of fun.

Click here to see a overview of DoPeace. Remember all are welcome to join and it's free.


Saturday, August 15, 2009

Forgiveness teaches us that it is possible to choose love over fear and peace over conflict regardless of the circumstances affecting our lives. We can choose to forgive rather than to hold on to our embitterment’s, grudges, and judgments. Foregiveness allows us to experience our wholeness our oneness with all of life. It opens our eyes to experience the light and the essence of love that we all are.

Gerald Jampolsky

Peace to You and Yours with Love
Jerry

Sunday, August 09, 2009

Our August Meeting is a Veggie Potluck

Bring your friends and a vegetarian dish to share to our Party on Tuesday, August 11th. at 6:30 pm. We will enjoy a vegetarian dinner and talk about the connection between our food choices and world peace.
The film Food Inc. is playing at the Novi Town Center Theater. It is a terrific documentary that makes you think about the fact that we vote 3 times a day with our food choices.

A TASTE OF MINDFULNESS

”Have you ever had the experience of stopping so completely,of being in your body so completely,of being in your life so completely,that what you knew and what you didn’t know,that what had been and what was yet to come,and the way things are right now,no longer held even the slightest hint of anxiety or discord,a moment of complete presence beyond striving,beyond mere acceptance,beyond the desire to escape or fix anything or plunge ahead,a moment of pure being,no longer in time,a moment of pure seeing,pure feeling,a moment in which life simply is,and that is-ness grabs you by all your senses,all your memories,by your very genes,by your loves,and welcomes you home,that is a taste of mindfulness.”

Jon Kabat - Zinn


Peace to You and Yours with Love
Jerry

Sunday, August 02, 2009

New Members of DoPeace

Colleen Mills, Citizens For Peace President, and Vincenza, Vice President Citizens For Peace, have joined DoPeace. The DoPeace has certainly enhanced their organization with these promoters for peace and nonviolence.

To see their smiling faces and learn more about them, click on their names above.

Saturday, July 25, 2009

Join us in August for these special events.

August 6 - Hiroshima & Nagasaki Comemoration at the 1st Baptist Church in Birmingham located at 300 Willits. Paul Gunter (Keith's brother) is the keynote speaker. His talk is "Proliferation and Pollution: Costs & Consequences". We are sponsors & will have a table.

August 7 - ONE, the Movie will be shown at Madonna University at 7 pm. Ward & Diane Powers will discuss their journey making this film. It is a fundraiser for the ONE PEACE event September 19th. at Schoolcraft College. Go to the website for more information: www.onepeace.us.
Empathy and Compassion for Others


Thich Nhat Hanh
As soon as you see that the person you call your enemy is also suffering, you will be ready to love and accept him. The idea of "enemy" vanishes and is replaced by the reality of someone who is suffering and needs our love.

Peace to You and Yours with Love
Jerry

Monday, July 13, 2009

Martin Luther King Jr
Compassion, empathy and nonviolence help us to see the enemy's point of view, to hear his questions, to know his assessment of ourselves. For from his view we may indeed see the basic weaknesses of our own condition, and if we are mature, we may learn and grow and profit from the wisdom of the brothers who are called the opposition.




Peace to You and Yours with Love

Jerry

Sunday, July 12, 2009

Martin Luther King Jr

Compassion, empathy and nonviolence help us to see the enemy's point of view, to hear his questions, to know his assessment of ourselves. For from his view we may indeed see the basic weaknesses of our own condition, and if we are mature, we may learn and grow and profit from the wisdom of the brothers who are called the opposition.

Peace to You and Yours
Jerry

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Our July 14th meeting will start at 6:30 pm. The Dr. Wayne Dyer film, "The Shift" (formerly "Ambition to Meaning", will begin at 6:45 pm. "Are you ready to make the shift that changes everything? When will you find the joy, the peace, and the love that you came here to give and to receive?" Come view the film and be inspired. Bring your friends!

Saturday, June 20, 2009

What is Peace

Peace does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble, or hard work, rather it means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart.


Author Unknown

Peace to You and Yours with Love
Jerry

Sunday, June 14, 2009

Thanks Colleen for bringing this movie to me , to us

http://www.youtube.com/homeproject

Peace to You and Yours with Love
Jerry

Saturday, May 23, 2009

This Moment


This moment is it. You will never have it again. So don’t miss it. Don’t let an opportunity like this go by

Sufi poet Kabir


Peace to You and Yours with Love
Jerry