A Season for Nonviolence

Each year from January 30 to April 4, we observe 64 days of practicing nonviolence in ourselves, our families, and our spiritual communities. The dates for this period commemorate the memorial anniversaries of Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The season was co-founded more than ten years ago by the Association for Global New Thought and the M.K. Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence.

As a spiritual community, we are committing to pray for peace and nonviolence in our hearts, homes and world for these 64 days. We are asking individuals to spend time in prayer each day, visualizing a transformed planet. It could be five minutes in the morning by the light of a candle and saying a simple affirmation, or a 30-minute meditation. It could happen during your morning walk as you contemplate peace in your life. Do whatever works in your daily schedule and honors the process.

We are inviting as many people as possible to join us in this effort. Consider inviting your children into the process. Encourage friends and co-workers to join you—or share your peaceful intentions each day with friends on your email list. Take a personal stand for peace in your lifetime by keeping peace in your conscious intentions during the Season for Nonviolence!

Universal Truth Series

Featuring guest speakers from a variety of spiritual paths and religious traditions at our Sunday services, 9:00 and 11:00 am, at the Lake Oswego facility, 3rd St. and A Ave.

February 10: Buddhist Monks of Tibet with sacred chanting

February 17 and February 24: Native American Rituals

March 2: Religious Society of Friends (Quaker) Beliefs and Customs

Creating a Sacred Space

During the Season for Nonviolence, Unity World Healing Center will create a unique opportunity for the community to hold a sacred space for peace. Between the two Sunday services, from 10:15 to 10:45 am, all are invited to a time of prayer using the ten favorite prayers with which Mahatma Gandhi began his days.

The Deeper Treasures of Gandhi

Wednesday Evenings, February 13 thru march 12, 2008, at 12:00 noon and 7:30 pm at the new West Linn facility, 20255 Willamette Drive. Love offering.

Rev. Victoria returned home from a personal tour of India with Arun Gandhi, grandson of Mahatma Gandhi, on fire with passion and commitment to go deeper into the unmined treasures of the great man's teachings and way of life. You are invited to explore these new depths with Rev. Victoria in a series of five special class sessions.

"This will not be about the usual things you've heard from Gandhi," says Rev. Victoria. "We will be walking where we have not walked before."

Meditation for Peace

A meditation for peace will be held for half an hour before each class session, 11:30 am and 7:00 pm at the new West Linn facility, 20255 Willamette Drive. Please join us for the meditation and then stay for the class at noon or 7:30 pm.

Peace Prevails: The Universal Language of Music

April 20, 2008, 4-6 pm

Our period of activities devoted to promoting world peace will close with a World Peace Concert, presenting music of many cultures and races. This is a special opportunity for people of all faiths and ages to gather as one in the name of world peace.

Photo credit: The sculpture "Nonviolence" by Fredrik Reuterswärd is in the United Nations Plaza in New York City. Photo by David Knox used under Creative Commons license.