2012Season for Nonviolence in Bridgeland April 3rd AND 4th,
The Season for Nonviolence Celebration has concluded.
A warm Thank You to ALL it's participants. Whether you read the 64 ways of practicing nonviolence on Facebook or walked with us through Bridgeland, placing symbols of peace at various places, danced circle dances, participated in play-shops, looked deep into each others eyes and found even only a moment of empathy, intimacy and love. To the many hands that helped put this together and made sure that the 2 day event ran as smoothly as it did. THANK YOU! To the performers that sang their heart out, spoke from a place of love, danced to music that made the heart smile, called forth the beauty of crystal bowls, drummed to the heart beat of the Universe - you brought JOY to us. THANK YOU! For all the people that came and just simply shared their presence. THANK YOU! To all of you that SHARED on Facebook, tweeted and LIKED this idea THANK YOU!
You have made a difference in the world, because of you, the awareness that Peace exists, has been honoured.
Peace IS with you. Namaste.
THE EVENT AND A BRIEF HISTORY
Once called the "religion of healthy-mindedness" by the philosopher, William James, the New Thought Movement was born almost 150 years ago as a revolt against the negative dogmas so prevalent in the churches of that day. The early New Thought movement was driven by the discovery that physical healing was possible through the power of mind and spiritual awareness. As that initial idea unfolded into successful application, practitioners of New Thought began to see that the power of an uplifted consciousness could also bring healing to negative circumstances and conditions in one's personal life. As it evolves today, twenty-first century New Thought is driven by a far broader intention. Planetary healing through self-realization is emerging as the new promise of these teachings.
It is upon the principles of these teachings that the grassroots campaign called Season for Nonviolence was initiated 15 years ago by a forward thinking organization called Associated Global New Thought (AGNT). Drawing from Gandhi and King’s advocacy towards the conscious stand for nonviolence and the prevalence of peace on earth, spiritually active groups have paid honor to their lifelong vision around the globe, during this 64 day period between January 30th and April 4th.
The Give Peace a Voice, 2012 Season for Nonviolence Event exists to promote that Peace Is, that it already exists through the free will of all global citizens to choose to reveal it, by being it.
The Calgary JOY of Life Centre for Spiritual Living, Presenter:
The JOY of Life Centre for Spiritual Living, an affiliate member of Centers for Spiritual Living, is invested in building conscious communities through sharing the Global Heart Vision.
“The Global Vision seeks to harness the creative power of thought and the transformative nature of love in service to the evolution of humanity and the unfolding of life on our planet.”
Ultimately… We see a world free of homelessness, violence, war, hunger, separation and disenfranchisement. Wesee a world in which there is generous and continuous sharing of heart and resources...A world in which forgiveness, whether for errors, injustices, or debts, is the norm...A world in which borders are irrelevant…A world which has renewed its emphasis on beauty, nature and love through the resurgence of creativity, art and aesthetics…A world in which we prosper and connect through the guidance of spiritual wisdom and experience in which we live and grow as One Human Family.
THANK YOU to the Bridgeland/Riverside Community Association and Evans Design, The Seniors DreamWish Foundation and the Alberta Government Community Spirit Grant for supporting our vision for this first annual Event in Bridgeland. Also we wish to acknowledge the SNV Committee: Drew Morin, Sharon Mitchell, Thomas Fahey, Monika Krammer and Helen Moffat for their endless hours of volunteer service, ingenuity and many bike and foot kilometers expensed to launch this first annual Event and give Peace a Voice in Calgary.
SEASON FOR NONVIOLENCE 2 DAY SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Official Season for Nonviolence Kick-Off 10am - 12pmFREE - Bridgeland Riverside Community Centre 917 Centre Ave. N.E.
“Peace Begins with Me” Workshop - Barbara Wiebe 1pm - 4pm$30-$50 sliding scale JOY of Life Centre 811 1St Ave. N.E.
“Give Peace a Voice” Concert 6pm - 9:00pm - $20pp - Golden Age Club 610 8th Ave SE, parking in back Featuring a theatrical performance, the keynote (Wage Love, Not War), our SNV Concert & Crystal Bowl Peace Meditation - Alexis Leycraft, Catherine Vielguth, Reverends Karen Weingard, Teresa Rambold, Nadene Rogers, Dr. Carol Carnes, Amy Bishop, Amy Thiessen, Eily Elizabeth Sweeney, Jasmin Poon
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Interfaith Prayerful Peace Walk in Bridgeland (map)10am-11:30amFREE- JOY of Life Centre 811 1st Ave. N.E Alexis Leycraft & Youth, Sharon Mitchell all community welcome
Workshops Series$15 each - JOY of Life Centre 811 1st Ave N.E. The Lighter Side of Self - Nadene Rogers 12:00am-1:00pm Playing Through Pain- Michelle Warkentin 1:30am-2:30pm Circle Dances of Peace and Healing - Ronnie Leah 3:00pm-4:00pm Love Your Walls Down - Karen Weingard 4:30am-5:30pm
Official Closing Ceremony6pm - 9:30pm - FREE - Weather permitting) out or in Bridgeland Riverside Community Centre 917 Centre Ave N.E Aboriginal People Medicine Wheel and the Sacred Circle Experience Community drumming and dance - Wendy Walker, Ronnie Leah, Judy Atkinson
SAVE by purchasing your SNVPEACEPORT here! A value of $130 for $99!
SNV PEACEPORT - includes 5 workshops and the Tuesday Night Concert
Musicians Bio’s
Amy Bishop
Amy has an instinctive ability to craft stories into song and deliver them with the sincerity and passion of a best friend - qualities that make Amy an undeniable Canadian talent. Amy was born a singer, and grew into a songwriter through a lifetime of experience. She puts it all together in engaging performances that show off her range and power. An evening with Amy bishop delivers rollicking "ain't life grand" road songs, soulful versions of love-gone-wrong ballads, and folk-based acoustic numbers that allow her naked vocal beauty to shine through. www.amybishop.com
Amy Thiessen While nurturing an adoration for singing since youth, Thiessen's musical journey initiated well into her adult life. Realigning her personal goals after a pivotal emotional experience, Thiessen followed her life's dream: venturing to India and developing her penchant for healing work, studying yoga and Buddhism. Embracing everything from a Peruvian Shaman's teachings to her own desire to learn guitar, Thiessen's work truly is world-influenced music with innovation and devout resolution. With her debut independent full-length Give Up The Fight, Calgary, Alberta-based singer/songwriter Amy Thiessen is that soul. Bringing about a musical equivalent to the liberation and soul-satisfying power of this ages-old philosophy, her intensely personal music is steeped in soul-fed folk intertwined with a vast array of styles varying from outright rock to ancient mantras. At that, boasting accolades including garnering the RAWLCO radio production and AMP radio career development grants in 2010, over 200 performances across the nation, showcases on BTV Ottawa, Atlantic CTV, BTV Edmonton, BTV Calgary and BTV Winnipeg, feature play/charting on campus radio and more, Thiessen's richly enthralling voice and powerful guitar chords are clearly a healing entity to both body and soul. www.amythiessen.com
Jasmin Poon
Thousands of people have experienced Jasmin's unique Singing Crystal Bowl Music through performances, meditations, television and radio appearances, and her CD, "Jasmin's Spiral Travel, A Journey with Crystal Bowls". It is through her spontaneous, intuitive expression that brings a beauty and life to the music she plays. Deeply affected by these sounds, it is her delight and blessing to be sharing this unique experience with people. For more information or hear a sound sample, visit www.singingbowlmusic.com Jasmin is honored to be sharing the vibration and sounds of the Singing Crystal Bowls at the non-violence event as an opportunity for people to experience their own inner peace
Eily Elizabeth Sweeney
Eily creates transformational soundscapes with the mesmerizing vibrations of Harp, Crystal Bowls and Voice. Inspired by the healing rhythms of the earth, Eily seeks to uplift, celebrate and connect people to their true nature. For the last three years she has played for Calgary audiences in a diversity of settings, from drum circles, corporate events, social and environmental functions, as well as retreats, yoga classes and weddings. www.soundcloud.com/eily-elizabeth
Rev. Teresa Rambold
Rev. Teresa Rambold has an amazing gift: an ability to inspire transcendence. Rev. Teresa is a retired long time international dance choreographer and national figure skating coach. Her present passion and life work is in the recording arts as a focus Minister, and out in the world as a cultural creative
Catherine has been in love with theatre for around seven years now and takes great joy in participating in all of its creative forms. She graduated last spring with her diploma in Theatre Performance from Mount Royal University. She plans to continue her studies in the Arts at the University of Alberta this fall and for the interim she has been volunteering and working in Calgary’s theatre community. Most recently she has played Pantalone in the production of The Servant of Two Masters and was the assistant director of Centennial High School’s production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. The title of the piece Catherine will be performing is “Hurting” vielguth@gmail.com
Speakers Bio’s
Rev. Nadene Rogers, Master of Ceremonies
Reverend Nadene Elizabeth Rogers aka The IrReverend Lovable Louie the Clown, birthed Canada’s first Clown School “So You Wanna Be A Clown” in 1987. She has led seminars and workshops for school, businesses and organizations dedicated to the wellbeing & creative expression of the human spirit for the past 20 years. From 1992 - 1995 Nadene wrote, produced & toured a one woman/clown show called “Project Crossroads” throughout the junior high school systems in Alberta and B.C. This production reflected Nadene’s personal journey through the exploration of the lighter side of the serious subject of substance abuse. Nadene was the founding Executive Director of the ‘Teens of Distinction Society,’ where she guided and celebrated teens’ spiritual growth. In 2009, through a desire to serve and support the human spirit, in our senior community, Nadene birthed The Seniors DREAMWISH Foundation, to assist in the relief of isolation and poverty. As an Ordained Minister and Founding Pastor of the ‘Calgary JOY of Life Centre for Spiritual Living’, Nadene teaches the principles of New Thought and invites you to JOYfully embrace your humanity, trusting that you are already a perfect expression of the Divine Truth you seek to know. www.joyoflifecentre.com
Rev. Karen Weingard, Keynote Speaker
Rev. Karen Weingard is a dynamic speaker, author, and Spiritual leader who has dedicated her life to providing guidance, love and compassion to Humanity! A therapist for 34 years, She received her Masters Degree in Consciousness Studies and her Ministerial license from Holmes Institute, where she became Ordained in 2006. Rev. Karen served as Senior Minister at Center of the Heart, Santa Barbara, California for 9 years and she served as Senior Minister for Creative Light Spiritual Center in SoHo, York from 2010 -2011. Rev. Karen served on the Integration Committee for ICSL/UCSL and continues to serve as Co Chair of the Asilomar Committee. Rev. Karen hosted her Radio program, “Celebrate Your Life,” where she explored the use of spiritual principles and love to grow through life’s challenges and experiences. Rev. Karen is dedicated to not only teaching Love but to stand anchored in her truth of “Being Love!”. Rev. Karen lives in Joy and supports complete freedom of expression for everyone to be their unique and authentic self. Author of two books: “Divine Declarations” and “I am the Party!” love@karenweingard.com
Alexis Leycraft, Centers for Spiritual Living Youth Representative
Alexis Leycraft is a twenty year old energetic young lady, with a mature soul. Leycraft was born to sing her message to the world around her. Starting with her community and expanding without boundaries. Alexis has been a part of many school and community productions over the years and a member of the Centre for Spiritual Living New Thought Movement, since the age of twelve. Recently a feature artist on numerous electronic- based Producer’s albums, she finds peace when able to express her voice. Alexis brings to the stage a joyful expression of truth, love, and laughter. leycraft@shaw.ca
Drew Morin
Native to Ottawa Ontario, Drew comes from a busy household of 6. He spent his elementary school career in New Zealand where his father worked for a telecommunications company. His mother, a registered nurse, taught him the value of being strong and looking out for each other. A lesson that served him well in class, amongst friends and in family life. Drew graduated from the University of Calgary with a degree in Communications and Culture. He had spent two years in sciences but had switched majors looking to fuel the creative fire within him. During this time he also spent 6 months studying abroad in Hong Kong and mainland China. Upon graduating Drew took some time to help his fathers’ contracting company get off the ground and later found himself a job working at an executive search firm downtown. There he had the opportunity to observe the inner workings of both the public and private sectors in a variety of industries. Over the next two years Drew would become a certified avalanche technician and traditional rock climber. Most recently Drew has returned from a two year working holiday in Australia and America. He participated in a number of programs that allowed him to work and volunteer in both the social welfare and agricultural industries. This allowed him to enter remote areas of the country to do promote positive change and also find some rare peaks to summit! Now he has brought his worldly experience home to share with what he considers his hometown of Calgary. Drew looks forward to helping the city grow into a richer and even more vibrant place to live. drewmorin@live.com
Dr. Carol Carnes, Associated Global New Thought Representative
Dr. Carol Carnes, Spiritual Director of the Calgary Centre for Spiritual Living, is widely known as a breath of fresh air as a speaker, teacher and writer of 21t Century practical spirituality. A powerful cutting edge visionary in the New Thought Movement over the past 25years, she has just released her first book: The Way In, a compilation of some of those mini essays that are self- contained little gems of wisdom humor and sound spiritual advice. Dr.Carol is presently serving on the Board of Associated Global New Thought and International Centers for Spiritual Living (ICSL) as the Director of Education and has represented ICSL at the 2009 World Parliament of Religions in Australia. calgary.csl.org
Workshop Facilitators Bios and Discription
Barbara Wiebe
Barbara Wiebe, BEd, has facilitated NVC-based workshops since 2006. Author of the booklet Conscious Communication, Barbara’s focus is on transforming the very basis of our relational life through clarity of vision, deep listening and creative collaboration. She is inspired by the integral vision for humanity - as found in the powerful approach of Dr. Marshall B. Rosenberg’s Compassionate/ Nonviolent Communication™ (NVC).
“Your offering is so timely and cutting edge. The container you provide for this to occur is safe and inviting.” - Dale McAslan, previous workshop participant
“Peace Begins With Me” ♥Compassion is an Inside Job♥ Or : Using the Power of Conscious Communication
What is your vision for our shared future? Let’s collaborate and co-create the kind of world that we most long for, a world in harmony with our deepest values. In this workshop we will focus on shifting the very context of our conversation from ‘problem’ to ‘possibility,’ drawing on our strengths, our capacities, and our innate wisdom. To support the journey of human transformation we will employ Dr. Marshall Rosenberg’s 4-step relational process of Compassionate/ Nonviolent Communication, or NVC. The workshop, “PEACE BEGINS WITH ME,” is designed to activate the recovery of our true nature, the very ground of compassion. Moreover, in this awakening we are contributing to the flowering of humanity, the healing of planet Earth. www.ConsciousCommunication.info
Rev. Nadene Rogers
“The Lighter Side Of Self”
Looking silly, loosing control and being vulnerable seems to haunt many of us, The fear of which affirms our beliefs in lack, not belonging/fitting or being enough does promote the relentless and exhausting process of self-analysis and judgment. Experience breaking down this belief system and break free of superficial and limiting ways of self-expression. Replace inner divisiveness and resistance with peace and have fun doing it!
Ronnie Joy Leah
I am an educator, dancer and healer. My spirit name is “Rainbow Dancer.” I honour the divine feminine and the sacred inter-connectedness of all life. I have a Ph.D. in Education and I am a Certified Expressive Arts Practitioner. I am a long-time activist in the women’s global peace movement, I lead workshops in deep ecology and monthly circle dances at Scarboro United Church. I am a mother, grandmother, lover of life, weaver of community, and passionate activist for healing the earth.
“Circle Dances of Peace and Healing”
We create a sacred circle of peace and healing with our dances. Circle dances are easily learned, they are danced to beautiful recorded music, and they are based on folk dances from many cultures. Circle dances promote inner peace and express our hopes for global healing. As we dance, we experience in our bodies, minds and spirits the peace we long for in the world. Everyone is welcome to join the circle and dance. ronnijoy@telus.net
Michelle Warkentin
Michelle has been performing on stages for over twenty-five years. She is an actor, professional puppeteer, speaker, voice-over artist, playwright and entrepreneur. She has written and performed puppet musicals for children and adults alike. With her education in laughter yoga, life coaching, creativity coaching, drama, conflict resolution and extensive volunteer resume she brings insight into the human need to play and the power of releasing the child within.
The Power of Playing through emotional Pain “Playing Through Pain”
This playshop incorporates drama, storytelling and music as tools to engage our creative self while mindful of emotional pain. Beneficial to our health of body, mind and spirit, play encourages us to live in the present, be open in the moment and leads to freeing the heart. Come ready to smile, laugh and find joy in the moment. www.michellewarkentin.ca
Rev. Karen Weingard
WILL THE REAL YOU PLEASE STAND UP “Love Your Walls Down”
"The Dramas of our lives are the reflections of our most private visions of ourselves" This "play-Shop is a journey of discovery, an exploration into our authentic self. Let's discover our true self that doesn't depend on what others say or think about us. We will uncover a self that is free from judgments that we have made about our appearance, intellect or abilities. We're traveling "in" to that center where our authentic self resides. There is a congruence between our inner self and the self that we present to the world. The journey of Self is a journey without distance to a goal that has not changed. It is a journey of consciousness awakening to its own innocence, power and beauty. We will explore this adventure together through dialogue, experiential opportunities, introspection and joy! Let's play together. love@karenweingard.com
Sharon Falconer
Sharon began Clowning and Entertaining in 2006. She found out it was a possibility and started to run with it and has never looked back. Sharon is a full time entertainer and facilitator for children and adults alike. “I finally found out what I want to be when I grow up and now I don’t have too!”
“Laughter Yoga - Benefits”
One of the kinds of yoga that is gaining in popularity thanks to its health benefits is Laughter yoga. One of the key points of Laughter yoga is that the more a person laughs, the better they will be able to reduce the stress they feel.| A typical Laughter Yoga forty five minute Session includes:
Brief Overview of what Laughter Yoga is instruction on how to do it.
20 – 30 minutes of Laughter Exercises
A “cool down” period of light meditation and information,
Question and Answer.
www.snicklestheclown.com Sharon’s presentation is @ Bow Valley Lodge April 2nd 9:30 THIS PRESENTATION IS NOT PUBLIC
Dwayne Peace
Dwayne Peace is a retired 25–year member of the Calgary Police Service where he spent the last seven years of his career as a School Resource Officer (SRO). Dwayne has a special talent for working with youth, and a passion for helping to make a difference in their lives. Requests for his dynamic presentations have come from schools, parent groups, community organizations, corporations, and universities. Dwayne is the co–founder of the Alberta Association of School Resource Officers (AASRO) established in 1998. Dwayne’s Life Skills - Life Synergy for Youth program cause his audience to think about the power of their words and actions. Much of his work has been in a proactive role with students, assisting in making smart choices in their lives through the use of his many presentations.
dwayne@daretocare.ca Dwayne’s presentation is on the perils of Drug use, @ Colonel MacLeod Middle School April 2nd 9:30 – 12:30 THIS PRESENTATION IS NOT PUBLIC
Wendy Walker
Wendy Walker is of Cree and Mik’ M’ac ancestry and is originally from Manitoba. Wendy has earned many ceremonial rights the traditional way, of fasting, prayer and ceremony with Elders and their teachings. She has also undertaken several spiritual journeys to the White Buffalo’s and has spent time with Chief Arvol Looking Horse; the 19th keeper of the original bundle White Buffalo Calf Woman gave to the people.
“Medicine Wheel”
The Medicine wheel is a living encyclopedia many Indigenous Cultures share. With this particular medicine wheel, we will be focusing on the four races of man and the gifts each brings to the earth. This deepened understanding of others allows us to connect, recognize and honor the sacred in all our relationships. We are all Brothers and Sisters. All My Relations. wendywalker91@gmail.com
Wapiwin
Wapiwin (pronounced way’pi-win), which means ‘vision’ in Cree, is a Cree-Métis women’s singing and drumming trio. Wapiwin was born from a vision – to serve and to share our music with community, to be of service to Creator, to provide a bridge of understanding and connection amongst the peoples of Mother Earth. Members Chantal Chagnon, Wendy Walker, Cheryle Chagnon-Greyeyes, are three mothers who live and work in Calgary. Wapiwin has been actively sharing our music on stage at local Calgary events, including ‘Bring Back the Night’ 2011, the Jackie Crazy Bull Memorial Walk, ‘Sisters in Spirit’ Vigil, and the Polytechnique Memorial/Day of Action on Violence Against Women at the University of Calgary. We sing contemporary Aboriginal songs – Cree, Ojibway, Crow, Métis – with our own unique style and harmonies.
To book our group or for more information, please contact Wendy Walker at 403-453-9003, or email Cheryle Chagnon-Greyeyes at Cheryle_chagnon@yahoo.com All my relations…
Judy Atkinson
Circles of Rhythm founder/director, BA Sociology, MA Education, Professional Drum Circle Facilitator, Health Rhythms Practitioner, Professional Speaker. Judy Atkinson is a professional drum circle facilitator, and Health Rhythms Practitioner. Her core tool is the drum using it as a tool for healing, meditation and inspiration. Techniques such as the “Drum Wash” and “The Rhythm Cradle” will remove unwanted negativity and wash your spirit clean. The drum is an ancient tool that is returning to our modern world with a message, “heal yourself, I am here to help”. Much of Judy’s wisdom has come from her journey with the drum. She has discovered it as a tool not only for music making and merriment, but also as a catalyst for creating a healthy body, mind and spirit and transformational change. She is passionate about helping us all be accountable for what we create in life; it is up to us to make our lives, and the world we live in a better place. Self-care is where to start, we can’t give what we don’t have. Judy is founder and owner of Circles of Rhythm, a professional and personal development company based in Calgary Alberta. Winner of Global TV’s prestigious Woman of Vision award, Judy is recognized as an authentic optimist and an inspiration to those who want to make their lives and this world a better place. www.circlesofrythm.com
Rev. Karen Weingard, 
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