Peace Week 19th - 27th September 2009
The theme of this year was Peace is Possible.
We started Peace Week on Saturday afternoon with a Faith Walk. The Faith Walk started at the Cathedral where we listened to the history of the cathedral and Christianity in Gloucester.
It was a beautiful sunny afternoon perfect for walking around Gloucester. The walk was led by Bishop John, the Bishop of Tewkesbury. We walked to St Peter's Catholic church going past Park St Mission,noting the Hooper Memorial and the Catholic martyrs in St Peter's. Then on to the Anglo Asian Centre, noting the Salvation Army en route. Then noting the Methodist Church on Barton St and proceeding to the Mosque, finishing at The Friendship Cafe with a cup of tea around 4pm. Total distance of 3 miles.
At each point we were met, welcomed in and told of the past of each tradition and also the present activities happening in Gloucester. It was a fascinating afternoon!
Sunday 20th
The Rendezvous Society hosted an evening called "Hiroshima"- Remembered;Revisited; Regretted? We listened to 3 speakers. Dawn Evans spoke of her recent 10 years in Hiroshima as an English teacher and her impressions of society today.
Yoko Moon, who grew up in Japan read from a book written by a survivor of the A bomb and showed us the art work published in the book. There was also an exhibition about the A bomb around the Friends Meeting Place. A necessary reminder of the horror nuclear weapons produce when used.
Dennis Mitchell was at Scout camp the day the bomb was dropped on 12th August 1945. It was his birthday. It was a defining moment for him and changed the course of his life.
We held dialogue in groups and finished the evening in the garden with a peace ceremony.
Monday 21st - United Nations Day of Peace 6 Gloucester schools came together at the Picturedrome Theatre in Barton St for an inspirational day. Dame Claire Bertshinger spoke to them about her work as an International Red Cross Nurse. Claire has worked in many war torn areas across the world but is known for her work in Ethiopia which inspired Bob Geldof to produce Live Aid. Claire had found school very difficult and did not do well because she has dyslexia. The students were inspired to see that this had not held her back. One student was inspired to follow her dream of working in Africa and one young man to become a nurse.The day continued with a film and workshops on non-violent communications. Students went away with new ways of dealing with situations in their own lives. Coming together and mixing with other schools had broken down preconceived ideas about other schools held by the students.
Light a Candle for Peace - Everyone was encouraged to join in by lighting a candle with the prayer or intention for peace.
Peace a Practical Solution - this was the first of two evenings held by Elan Vital. Films outlining the work of Prem Rawat were shown. There were also guest speakers. Throughout the entire week there was an exhibition "Words of Peace" at the star Anise Cafe in Stroud. Customers could read words of peace written by Prem Rawat as they enjoyed a coffee.It was lovely to be reminded of the simple message that peace lies within the heart.
Thursday 24th and Friday 25th Activities centered on Stroud. Thursday saw an evening with Bruce Kent as guest speaker. Bruce talked about creating a Culture of Peace and how we each could decide to do this. There were lively questions from a packed floor. The evening included peace poems from local poets and songs from a local community choir.
Friday evening produced another lively event - A Conversation Cafe organised by the Green Party. Speakers from each political party spoke about their "Defence Policy for Peace". Questions for the speakers were formulated over refreshments and a very animated discussion followed.
Saturday 26thAn Eco Fun Party took place at Springbank Community Resource Centre in Cheltenham. This was a family event with lots to get involved with - recycling, gardening,dancing, tai chi, healing,drama, music, creatures of the rain forest, play rangers, peace balloons and much more. It was a lovely coming together of a local community. Peace activities had been running throughout the week at the centre.
Sunday 27th
The week finished with a Peace Ceremony at the Asha Centre in the Forest of Dean. This was led by Christopher Marcus. On arrival we were greeted by young Indian Women Peace Ambassadors. They were staying at the Asha centre. They treated us to an Indian Tea Party and then danced for us. We enjoyed traditional Indian Dance and we listened to beautiful songs. It was a magnificent sight to behold.
We were then led around the garden in silent meditation, listening to readings from different religious traditions. We played a symphony using iron instruments and then we lit candles from the fire. They were then carried to the font and floated on the water. All the pathways were covered with rose petals from the rose gardens. As we took the light within it was a supremely peaceful way to finish Peace Week.
We started Peace Week on Saturday afternoon with a Faith Walk. The Faith Walk started at the Cathedral where we listened to the history of the cathedral and Christianity in Gloucester.
It was a beautiful sunny afternoon perfect for walking around Gloucester. The walk was led by Bishop John, the Bishop of Tewkesbury. We walked to St Peter's Catholic church going past Park St Mission,noting the Hooper Memorial and the Catholic martyrs in St Peter's. Then on to the Anglo Asian Centre, noting the Salvation Army en route. Then noting the Methodist Church on Barton St and proceeding to the Mosque, finishing at The Friendship Cafe with a cup of tea around 4pm. Total distance of 3 miles.
At each point we were met, welcomed in and told of the past of each tradition and also the present activities happening in Gloucester. It was a fascinating afternoon!
Sunday 20th
The Rendezvous Society hosted an evening called "Hiroshima"- Remembered;Revisited; Regretted? We listened to 3 speakers. Dawn Evans spoke of her recent 10 years in Hiroshima as an English teacher and her impressions of society today.
Yoko Moon, who grew up in Japan read from a book written by a survivor of the A bomb and showed us the art work published in the book. There was also an exhibition about the A bomb around the Friends Meeting Place. A necessary reminder of the horror nuclear weapons produce when used.
Dennis Mitchell was at Scout camp the day the bomb was dropped on 12th August 1945. It was his birthday. It was a defining moment for him and changed the course of his life.
We held dialogue in groups and finished the evening in the garden with a peace ceremony.
Monday 21st - United Nations Day of Peace 6 Gloucester schools came together at the Picturedrome Theatre in Barton St for an inspirational day. Dame Claire Bertshinger spoke to them about her work as an International Red Cross Nurse. Claire has worked in many war torn areas across the world but is known for her work in Ethiopia which inspired Bob Geldof to produce Live Aid. Claire had found school very difficult and did not do well because she has dyslexia. The students were inspired to see that this had not held her back. One student was inspired to follow her dream of working in Africa and one young man to become a nurse.The day continued with a film and workshops on non-violent communications. Students went away with new ways of dealing with situations in their own lives. Coming together and mixing with other schools had broken down preconceived ideas about other schools held by the students.
Light a Candle for Peace - Everyone was encouraged to join in by lighting a candle with the prayer or intention for peace.
Peace a Practical Solution - this was the first of two evenings held by Elan Vital. Films outlining the work of Prem Rawat were shown. There were also guest speakers. Throughout the entire week there was an exhibition "Words of Peace" at the star Anise Cafe in Stroud. Customers could read words of peace written by Prem Rawat as they enjoyed a coffee.It was lovely to be reminded of the simple message that peace lies within the heart.
Thursday 24th and Friday 25th Activities centered on Stroud. Thursday saw an evening with Bruce Kent as guest speaker. Bruce talked about creating a Culture of Peace and how we each could decide to do this. There were lively questions from a packed floor. The evening included peace poems from local poets and songs from a local community choir.
Friday evening produced another lively event - A Conversation Cafe organised by the Green Party. Speakers from each political party spoke about their "Defence Policy for Peace". Questions for the speakers were formulated over refreshments and a very animated discussion followed.
Saturday 26thAn Eco Fun Party took place at Springbank Community Resource Centre in Cheltenham. This was a family event with lots to get involved with - recycling, gardening,dancing, tai chi, healing,drama, music, creatures of the rain forest, play rangers, peace balloons and much more. It was a lovely coming together of a local community. Peace activities had been running throughout the week at the centre.
Sunday 27th
The week finished with a Peace Ceremony at the Asha Centre in the Forest of Dean. This was led by Christopher Marcus. On arrival we were greeted by young Indian Women Peace Ambassadors. They were staying at the Asha centre. They treated us to an Indian Tea Party and then danced for us. We enjoyed traditional Indian Dance and we listened to beautiful songs. It was a magnificent sight to behold.
We were then led around the garden in silent meditation, listening to readings from different religious traditions. We played a symphony using iron instruments and then we lit candles from the fire. They were then carried to the font and floated on the water. All the pathways were covered with rose petals from the rose gardens. As we took the light within it was a supremely peaceful way to finish Peace Week.
