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Sowing the Seeds of God’s Peace Workshops

1-Day Workshop
(for Religious Educators, Pastoral Ministers, Peace & Justice Advocates, & Others)

Opening prayer on the nonviolence of Jesus - Jesus’ plea: “If only today you knew the things that make for peace” – SLIDES of Jesus weeping & the “Prayer Service on the Nonviolence of Jesus”

What are the “biblical seeds” of peace?

(Inspiration, reflection, and examples)

• The cross at the World Trade Center (SLIDE) and reflection

• Sacrificial love at the core of the seeds – “Unless the seed dies… “

• The seeds of peace from Luke’s “sermon on the plain” (Luke 6) – audio tape of John Michael Talbot speaking these dramatically and silent reflection; distribution of individual “seeds of peace” and reflection in pairs.

• Francis’ “Peace Prayer” as a summary of these seeds of peace

• The Pledge of Nonviolence as a contemporary interpretation of the seeds of peace – some examples from the Pledge

How do we sow these seeds of peace effectively?
(Reflection, prayer and creative activities

• Understand and be ready to deal with different “soils” (Parable of the Sower)

• Lovingly & prayerfully – believe in our students – SONG: “See Me Beautiful” (from TEACHING PEACE) + prayer from A CALL TO PEACE

• By example – living the Pledge of Nonviolence, especially respect (smile), listen, gentle down through the beauty of creation

• Creatively – several creative activities to share the seeds of peace

• Planting and nurturing hope/vision – “Rainbow People” chant (from RAINBOW PEOPLE)

How do we cultivate good soil in ourselves and in our students?

• Suggestions for deepening our own commitment to peace.

• Suggestions for overcoming the obstacles of rocky, thorny soil in our students

Questions arising from the day

Prayerful conclusion

• Francis’ Peace Prayer (sung and in sign language) or

• “A Litany on the Pebbles of Love” and offering of pebbles

Handouts

• A copy of “Sowing the Seeds of Peace” essay with the various versions of the Pledge of Nonviolence and the “Biblical Seeds of Peace”

• Meditations on “See Me Beautiful” & “Gentle Down…”

• 2 prayers/litanies

• Several classroom activities (see “Classroom Activities for Using the School & Youth Pledge of Nonviolence”)

• IPJ Newsletter with Dr. King’s “When Silence Is Betrayal” speech (Spring/Summer 2003 issue on PDF file)

“Sowing the Seeds of God’s Peace”
90-Minute to 2-Hour or Evening Presentation
(for Religious Educators & Administrators, Pastoral Ministers, & Others)

What are the “biblical seeds” of peace?

(Inspiration & prayer, reflection, and examples)

• Jesus’ plea: “If only today you knew the things that make for peace” – SLIDES of Jesus weeping and the cross at the World Trade Center and reflection

• Sacrificial love at the core of the seeds – “Unless the seed dies… “

• The seeds of peace from Luke’s “sermon on the plain” (Luke 6) – audio tape of John Michael Talbot speaking these dramatically and silent reflection with handout

• Francis’ “Peace Prayer” as a summary of these seeds of peace

• The Pledge of Nonviolence as a contemporary interpretation of the seeds of peace – some examples from the Pledge

·   The Pledge of Nonviolence as a contemporary interpretation of the seeds of peace – some examples from the Pledge

How do we sow these seeds of peace effectively?
(Reflection, prayer and creative activities

• Understand and be ready to deal with different “soils” (Parable of the Sower)

• Lovingly & prayerfully – believe in our students – SONG: “See Me Beautiful” (from TEACHING PEACE) + prayer from A CALL TO PEACE

• By example – living the Pledge of Nonviolence, especially respect (smile), listen, gentle down through the beauty of creation

• Creatively – several creative ways to share the seeds of peace

• Planting and nurturing hope/vision – “Rainbow People” chant (from RAINBOW PEOPLE)

OPTIONAL IF TIME: How do we cultivate good soil in ourselves?
(p. 6 of the essay)

Prayerful conclusion

• Francis’ Peace Prayer (sung and in sign language) and/or

• "A Litany on the Pebbles of Love" and offering of pebbles

Handouts

• A copy of “Sowing the Seeds of Peace” essay with the various versions of the Pledge of Nonviolence and the “Biblical Seeds of Peace”; or just the appropriate versions of the Pledge of Nonviolence (end of the essay)  and “Biblical Seeds”  (p. 2 of the essay)

• Meditation on “See Me Beautiful” from A CALL TO PEACE