(The Next Decade of the Gandhi King Season for Nonviolence)

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Welcome!

We are thrilled to count you among those empowered individuals and communities
whose cocreative leadership will promote peace and nonviolence as a way of life on
this planet. “You are the one the world has been waiting for!”

Furthering our efforts toward spiritually motivated peace building, AGNT celebrated
the 10th Anniversary of the Gandhi King Season for Nonviolence with The Gandhi
King Peace Train and Living Legends of Nonviolence Conference.  This gathering of
peace activists took place from April 18-21, 2007 in Los Angeles and San Jose, CA,
aboard a specially chartered train between the two cities. This was a rare opportunity
to collaborate with fellow Season task force leaders, and internationally renowned
Living Legends of Peace representing the most innovative approaches to nonviolent
activism. Present were: Dr. Arun Gandhi, Paritosh Gandhi Prasad, Yolanda King,
Anthony Chavez, Dolores Huerta, Bro. David Steindl-rast, and Dr. Lawrence Carter of
MLK Chapel Morehouse College. At this conference we launched the Seasons for
Peace And Nonviolence, in which unwavering nonviolence in thought, word and
action becomes our chosen way of life.

PEACEPORT PROGRAM
PLANS for 2007-08: SPAN the Next Decade

Everyone who rode the Peace Train from Los Angeles to San Jose was issued a
PEACEPORT, identifying them as a member of a global community we call the
 
United Citizens of the Human Spirit

On the return trip home, ambassadors moved throughout the train in order to
“stamp” each PEACEPORT with the Gandhi Spirit, the King Spirit, the Chavez Spirit,
Universal Spirit, and the Gandhi King Peace Train Spirit. Of course, this was a really
fun part of the 10th anniversary celebration but, more than that, it inspired us to
think of ourselves as citizens of many cultures, religions, and orientations united at
our very foundations by the Human Spirit that we share, however diverse we might
be in our expressions and affiliations.

Moving forward with this vision, it was not long before we
came up with a new model for the next decade of
our peace and nonviolence work:

Seasons for Peace and Nonviolence (S.P.A.N.)

Aboard the train and at the conference, in-depth dialogues, strategy deliberations,
and visioning sessions took place. As a result, we are inviting you to join us as our
SNV community moves forward with new and exciting plans.

PEACEPORT OFFICE

Whether you represent a formal organization, or wish to gather a group of friends
and colleagues, your team will be guided in establishing a PEACEPORT OFFICE in
your church, community, or spiritual center. The PEACEPORT OFFICE is simply an
activated “node” that will hold and coordinate our new resources for Seasons for
peace And Nonviolence (S.P.A.N.). It can take many forms, depending on your
situation. It might be a physical space, a group of people, a place on the internet, or
evolve into a fully fledged ministry or department within your organization that is
continuously in touch with a larger network of United Citizens of the Human Spirit.

SNV 1998-2007:
Our “Collaboratory” for Spiritually-Motivated Social Action

The first decade of the Season for Nonviolence became successful because we all
took responsibility, as a whole, for “being the change we wish to see in the world.”

• We called out community together....
• Churches and centers formed task forces
• Individuals met among friends or sought out other groups
• We stood on a foundation of prayer and meditation, rooted in nonviolence
• We invited others from different religions, cultures, ideologies, and professions into a nonjudgmental, inclusive dialogue... we shared our stories
• We studied common educational and training materials, developed resources, asked questions, shared wisdom, learned from one another
• We became social strategists and organizational designers at a high level of competence – not because we adopted a hierarchy, but because we uncovered our collective gifts through a process of emergence
• We brought our programs and projects in front of decision- and policy-makers, local media, Boards of Education, and more
• We communicated our successes and challenges within our communities, and also to the central hub coordinating Season for Nonviolence so that our work could be shared as templates with others, reducing our collective learning curve greatly

As a result of this deep and sustained dedication, A new model for omni-local,
spiritually-based peace governance has emerged successfully, igniting entire
communities. The Gandhi King Season for Nonviolence project has evolved through
our collective, exemplary leadership in more than 400 cities in the U.S. and 18 other
countries during the past ten Seasons.

What We Have Learned

• It has been said that, “If you want peace, work for justice.” This quote is attributed
to Pope Paul VI.

• During the past 10 years, our spiritually-based model for nonviolence has seeded
peace-building communities that integrate vision and action. We know that the key
to empowerment is compassionate visionary consciousness coupled with enlightened
choices toward action.

• Through dedicated prayer, research, education, planning, team-building, dialogue,
logistics, fundraising, and successful implementation of events and programs
promoting nonviolent personal and social transformation, we have identified common
factors that are at the root of all peace-building:

1. Compassion/understanding/forgiveness/acceptance
2. Positive interfaith and intercultural relationships
3. “Omni-local IS global”
4. Connection is critical – both psychologically and organizationally
5. Education/awareness is key to resolving conflict
6. Sharing our wisdom with others, and benefiting from others’ experience, are
equally important
7. Along with rights, come responsibilities
8. Each one of us is VERY powerful; together we are more powerful than alone;
serving a larger vision and Source as a unified humanity is infallible
9. We create change by living the change. We are already doing it.
 
• In the next decade, Seasons for Peace And Nonviolence will call us to learn and act
in an even more focused and effective way.

How Does it Work?

• Plans for publishing the PEACEPORT are currently underway. Participants will have
access to as many copies as they need when they are available. Our projected date
is by the end of the first “Season” in September, 2007.

• Each year, four “Seasons” will be celebrated. Your group can choose to participate
in every season, specific seasons, or focus on one season as a theme for its
sustained work.

• As part of the PEACEPORT package, AGNT will provide a cd-rom of materials and
resources that will guide and inform the development of your plans for each defined
season.

• A PEACEPORT stamp for each Season will be available to track and celebrate your
groups’ progress.

What Happens Next?

• The first “Season” will expand upon last year’s Season of Forgiving. From
September 11-21, 2006, two hundred SNV task forces participated in prayer
gatherings and vigils, focusing on interfaith prayer and harmony between the 100th
anniversary of Satyagraha (9/11/1906), and the United Nations’ International Day of
Peace. Unity’s International Day of Peace was September 14th.

• In September of 2007, a much larger number of networks are poised for
collective prayer and celebration on a global scale. The Association for Global New
Thought’s partnership role is to lift up the New Thought movement through the first
official Season of the next decade.

• The first Season will be the Season of Interfaith Celebration

How Do I Participate?

There are several choices to get you started and into the communications loop:
• Use the form below to alert AGNT to your participation and request the cd rom
• Email us at SPAN@agnt.org
• Go to www.agnt.org  -  Click on Season of Interfaith Celebration – SIGN IN
• You may freely use the web-posted materials or request a cd-rom that contains
more extensive materials.
• It is crucial for you to use the interactive calendar to post your activities

Connect with Others in Your Area

If you would like to connect with other interested individuals or Task Forces in your
area, please reply to SPAN@agnt.org with a range of zip codes and city/town names
in your area and we will then send you a list of contacts in your area. Throughout the
Season, new registrants in your area will be given your name, email and phone # as
their local TFL when they sign in. You may also check in periodically to receive
updated contact lists for your area as well.

Aside from Valuable General Participation, is there a Special
Program that AGNT Suggests?

The Abraham Path Initiative

We are continuing the expanded mission of waging peace in the Middle East with the
help of omni-local community pilgrimages to heal the Family of Abraham. The
purpose of the Abraham Path Initiative is to open up a route in the Middle East
retracing the footsteps of the prophet Abraham. The Abraham Path will serve to
underscore and disseminate Abraham’s universal messages of oneness, unity, faith,
justice, peace, and hospitality toward all. Parallel events will again be organized in
communities around the world in the form of local “Abraham Walks” from churches
to mosques to synagogues, shared religious services and festivals, and educational
events on religious coexistence. Your community can choose to be part of the
Abraham Path Initiative in the context of Seasons for Peace and Nonviolence: SPAN
the Next Decade
 
Go to www.agnt.org - Click on Abraham Path – Sign In as
directed and request FREE cd rom of resources

Additional Task Force Support and Resources

ACTION ITEM:

We are now prepared to send out very useful and comprehensive Resource materials
to anyone who is seriously interested in leading, or participating in a local task force.

RESOURCES:
 
A. CD Rom: Whether you use a PC or Mac computer, these carefully indexed folders
of documents and templates in Microsoft Word will be easy to open and customize
for your city, and the unique needs of your task force. Most graphics software will
open the logos and artwork. Most of what you need to function as a task force is
included on the CD-rom
COST OF CD ALONE  -- $35 INCLUDES SHIPPING

B. “Leur Songe de Paix (Their Song of Peace)” FREE DVD - An 11-minute
video/music work that uses a text by Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (1929-68)
accompanied by computer music by Stephen Travis Pope and video images by Lane
Clark. The motivation is to provide the simplest possible setting for several excerpts
from Dr. King's famous "A Time to Break Silence" speech, delivered in New York City
exactly one year before his assassination. The music is an abstract concerto in three
movements for many voices, bells, analog synthesizer, orchestral samples, and
Morse-code program. Lane Clark's mesmerizing video uses a series of painted slides
to accompany the text and music. The video is
intended for projection together with a separate video in which the text of the speech
scrolls by. The printed text version is included (excerpts from Dr. King's "A Time to
Break Silence" speech delivered at the Riverside Church in New York on April 4,
1967)

C. Synthesis Dialogues DVD - What would happen if you brought together in one
place, thirty of the world’s most experienced, influential, and effective activists who
have dedicated their lives for the good of Humanity?  This is exactly what the
Synthesis Dialogues III has done, under the loving guidance of HH, the 14th Dalai
Lama of Tibet. Sponsored by the Association for Global New Thought, the events in
this program show how joy, love, and peace live in harmony with sorrow, conflict,
and disagreement to reveal a more profound Truth. In this rich field of reconciliation,
global peace initiatives like “The Abraham Pilgrimage” emerge.  Built around the
awakened music of Rickie Byars Beckwith, Karl Anthony, and others, this DVD is both
a powerful teaching tool and an entertaining work of art. It is the kind of event you
will want to watch many times, and share with your friends. Plus, the bonus
elements feature some of the worlds most profound thinkers on Nonviolence,
Religious Pluralism, and Peace Activism.  COST OF DVD - $19.95  You may order
directly at WWW.agnt.org
 
BOOKS

 D.  Nonviolent Communication Books – Marshall Rosenberg’s powerful tools for
peace and partnership. Puddle Dancer Press has generously provided a set of NVC
books (7 in all) for interested Task Force Leaders along with suggestions and support
for hosting NVC workshops as part of your SNV activities.  COST OF BOOKS –Your
gift from Puddle Dancer Press – $7 each set for shipping & handling.
 
E.  Speak Peace in a World of Conflict: What You Say Next Will Change Your
World
by Marshall B. Rosenberg, Ph.D. Discover how you can create an internal
consciousness of peace as the first step toward effective personal, professional and
social change. Puddle Dancer Press has generously provided “proof” copies of the
book for our TFLs to review for use in your SNV activities. ( note: one copy per Task
Force) Order multiple copies of all Rosenberg books at:
www.nonviolentcommunication.com/giftofpeace/

F. Common Peace - The Center for the Advancement of Nonviolence  -
Educational resources and promotional merchandise (posters, t-shirts, teaching
course, etc.) are available from The Center for the Advancement of Nonviolence:
www.nonviolenceworks.com/orderform2003.pdf

Conferences & Communication

As part of the Awakened World Conference, AGNT hosts Seasons for Peace and
Nonviolence Symposium with presentations by noted peacemakers and dialogue
between task force leaders and new participants and leaders. More Conference
information at: www.agnt.org
 
Regular communications and updates are sent from Seasons for Peace and
Nonviolence headquarters to all Task Force Leaders. Conference Calls and regional
visits are also part of the ongoing support. In order to benefit, we URGE you to stay
in close communication so we can include you.

PLANNING ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS
 
The (AGNT) Seasons for Peace and Nonviolence website links to comprehensive
rosters of activities during previous years of SNV.  If your team hasn't already come
up with plans, here are some general ways that you can be part of our global
community to bring peace and A Season for Nonviolence to your community.
 
1.  Create a Task Force to plan an event to promote peace and awareness of
nonviolence philosophies of Gandhi and King.
 
Examples include - a musical concert with local artists, planting a peace pole,
Walkathon, community potluck, series of workshops
 
2.  Through your church or organization's sponsorship, offer workshops & lectures
during one or more of the Seasons for Peace and Nonviolence
 
Examples include - themes on nonviolent attributes, peace prayers; workshops on
conflict resolution, diversity, family values, nonviolence to our planet; invite guest
speakers to share their programs of peace, honor peace heroes
 
3.  Collaborate with other organizations to introduce programs of nonviolence into
youth organizations such as YMCA, Boys & Girls Club, private schools. Co-create with
young teens to come up with a plan for nonviolence and present where possible.
 
4.  Place a Call for Action to other Faiths to join you in co-presenting Seasons for
Peace and Nonviolence in your community.
5. Invite local politicians to proclaim special days to celebrate Seasons for Peace and
Nonviolence
6.  Involve the Media in your community in promoting the practice of nonviolence in
our daily lives.  Invite local businesses to sponsor actions.
 
7.  Host a Nonviolent Communication Training Seminar for your church, school or
community.
 
Dr. Barbara Fields
Assoc. for Global New Thought
220 Santa Anita Rd.
Santa Barbara, CA 93105
tel. 805-563-7343
fax. 805-563-7344
www.agnt.org

 
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