PULL DATE: March 29, 2004
FROM: Coastside Peace, Half Moon Bay, California
Contact: Hester Schell - (650) 726-5624
Hester@coastsidepeace.org
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COASTSIDE PEACE TO HOST INTERFAITH PEACE FORUM: MARCH 28, 2004
Leaders representing 8 Major Religions to Gather on San Mateo County Coastside
March 3, 2004. (Half Moon Bay, California)
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The common ground of all major religions is belief in the virtues of peace, compassion, and understanding, yet we live in a world where war and violence are a constant presence, and the threat of terrorism looms in the air. Lives are marred by hatred, prejudice, hunger, homelessness, and injustice. How then do we create peace, at least within ourselves? Drawing on the wisdom of our faiths to answer that question, Coastside Peace, a local grassroots organization dedicated to creating a more just and humane world, is hosting an Interfaith Peace Forum on Sunday, 28 March, from 1 - 3 PM, at the Point Montara Lighthouse Hostel in Montara, California.
The Forum will explore what different religious traditions can teach to create a deeper spiritual understanding of peace, and provide participants with inspiration and an invitation to reflect on peace. Moreover, participants will hear practical ideas and suggestions on how individuals can become peacemakers in their own lives.
The Forum will be comprised of eight speakers representing different faith groups, who will offer their insights and provide a panel for interaction with the audience. Sharing the wisdom of their collective faiths will be: Father Steve Kelly of Swords to Plowshares; Marla Korman, founder of Peace Partners, coaching teens on communication in the Jewish tradition; John Helding, lead facilitator for the Quaker-based Alternatives to Violence Project; Rev. Dr. Pamela Eakins, author, professional mediator and teacher of peace studies and conflict resolution; Joseph Bobrow-Roshi, psychologist, author, and Zen Buddhist; George Salinger, Catholic deacon; Warren Jones, Baha'I practitioner; and Maha ElGenaidi, a Muslim and recent lecturer for the American Association of University Women.
For those aspiring toward greater peace in the world, the forum will challenge individual capacity to foster tolerance, respect, and understanding. Event organizer Jean Fife states, "Our personal behavior profoundly contributes to world behavior-living peace is a big responsibility that has a profound impact on the big picture."
People of all beliefs are invited to attend. A $10 donation at the door is suggested, although no one will be turned away for lack of funds. Refreshments will be provided. The Point Montara Lighthouse Hostel is located on the west side of Highway One, at 16th Street, in Montara, south of Devil's Slide.
For more information, visit Coastside Peace online at http://www.coastsidepeace.org
Coastside Peace meets monthly on second Tuesdays at Moon News Bookstore, 315 Main Street, Half Moon Bay at 7:30pm. The next meeting is March 9, and is open to the public. Please join us.