Convened by Adrian Glamorgan (Quaker), Graeme Dunstan (Buddhist), Margaret Pestorius and Bryan Law (Catholic Worker) and engaging with some of Australia’s leading NVDA practitioners.

How to end war and establish enduring peace for this and future generations?

Every human of goodwill and good faith knows that the peacemaking masters who have gone before, Buddha, Jesus, Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jnr, the Berrigans and the rest, have given us the tools to put an end to war.  Join us for a week of discussion, theory and practice in the arts of faith-based nonviolent direct action.

It will be about taking heart and making courage contagious.

Register early. Room accommodation, shared and single, is limited to 20. Camping also available for up to 10.

The charges are for 4 nights:

Full board with Shared room: $264;

Full board with Single room $308;

Full board with camping $220;

Self-catered camping $88

On 17-19 February, a Silver Wattle Planning Meeting will convene to develop plans for camping facilities, the Olaf Hodgkin Healing Unit, land regeneration and the 2013 learning program. Please hold this meeting in the Light and prayer.

Leaders: tbc

Cost: $200 per person

Aim: To educate and empower young people (18-30) who are ready to undertake work in peace and social justice.

Synopsis: This course is to prepare young people for leadership of active witness and working to build a more just and more sustainable world. The course will emphasise the need for deep spiritual grounding to maintain dedication, in whatever faith individual participants are involved.

Acceptance into the course will be by application with acceptance dependent on identifying a continuing process of support and mentoring.

There are four components which will be interwoven:

• Education on current issues using themed presentations: aspiring democracies, climate change, and indigenous rights
• Theory and practice of nonviolent resistance with highly qualified trainers, including individual participation and an introduction to working with groups
• Identification by participants of the work that each is called to undertake and consideration of what support each requires.
• Encourage personal prayer and reflection in personal preparation for the work ahead

Source Materials:

• Ackerman, P. and DuVall, J., 2000. A Force More Powerful. A Century of Nonviolent Conflict. Palgrave.544 pp.
• Birkel, M.L., 2004. Silence and Witness. The Quaker Tradition. Darton Longman & Todd. 164 pp.
• Chenoweth, E. and Stephan, M. J., 2001. Why Civil Resistance Works: The Strategic Logic of Nonviolent Conflict. Columbia University Press. 296 pp.
• Cortright, D. 2009. Gandhi and Beyond: Nonviolence for a New Political Age, Second Edition. Paradigm Publishers. 296 pp.
• Dalai Lama, 2000. The Transformed Mind: Reflections on Truth, Love and Happiness. Hodder and Stoughton.
• Douglass, J. W., 2006. Resistance and Contemplation: The Way of Liberation. Wipf and Stock Publishers. 196 pp.
• Douglass, J. W., 2006. The Non-Violent Cross: A Theology of Revolution and Peace. Wipf and Stock Publishers. 320 pp.
• Easwaran, E., 1984. Nonviolent Soldier of Islam: Badshah Khan, a Man to Match His Mountains. Nilgiri Press.
• Hanh, T. N., 1992. Being Peace. Rider.
• Lakey, G., 2011. Facilitating Group Learning. Jossey-Bass.
• Lederach, J. P., 2003. The Little Book of Conflict Transformation. Good Books. 63 pp.
• Lederach, J. P., 2010. The Moral Imagination: The Art and Soul of Peacebuilding. Oxford University Press. 216 pp.
• Palmer, P.J., 2004. A Hidden Wholeness: The Journey Towards an Undivided Life. Jossey-Bass.
• Quaker Faith & Practice, 1999. Britain Yearly Meeting 671 pp. Sections 20-25.
• Sacks, J., 2002. The Dignity of Difference: How to Avoid the Clash of Civilizations. Continuum.
• Schirch, L., 2005. The Little Book of Strategic Peacebuilding. Good Books. 80 pp.
• Schock, Kurt, 2005. Unarmed Insurrections. People Power Movements in Nondemocracies. Social Movements, Protest and Contention Volume 22. University of Minnesota Press, Minneapolis. 228 pp.
• Sharp, Gene, 1973. The Politics of Nonviolent Action (3 volumes). Porter Sargent Publishers.
• Sharp, G., 2005. Waging Nonviolent Struggle: 20th Century Practice and 21st Century Potential. Extending Horizons Books. 598 pp
• Wink, W., 1992. Engaging the Powers: Discernment and Resistance in a World of Domination. Fortress Press. 444 pp.
• Wink, W., 1998 The Powers That Be. Theology for a New Millenium. Galilee Doubleday. 224 pp.
• Wink, W., 2004. ‘Jesus & Alinsky’, in The Impossible Will Take a Little While: A Citizen’s Guide to Hope in a Time of Fear, (edited by Paul Loeb), New York: Basic Books. 432 pp.; also found online: http://www.commondreams.org/views04/1216-30.htm
• Yoder, C. and Zehr, H., 2005. The Little Book of Trauma Healing: When Violence Strikes and Community Is Threatened. Good Books. 90 pp.
• Yoder, J. H., 2010. Nonviolence – a Brief History: The Warsaw Lectures. Baylor University Press. 153 pp.
• Zehr, H., 2002. The Little Book of Restorative Justice. Good Books. 64 pp.

Leaders: Dorothy Broom & Drew Thomas
Contact: Drew Thomas at Drew.Thomas@iinet.net.au

Drew Thomas

Cost: $695 Single room, $635 Shared room

Aim: Through a process of reflection, both individually and in groups, participants will increase their awareness of the connection between who they are (soul) and what they do (role). They will develop the knowledge, skills, and dispositions to participate in the Quaker process of Clearness Meetings.

Synopsis: This is an experiential course, which will use facilitated personal reflection drawing on the work of Parker Palmer, and using a range of poetry as stimulus materials.

Initial exploration will focus on the Quaker concept of “inner teacher”, and of the importance of tapping inner wisdom to achieve a better soul-role match, and hence greater sense of purpose in life.

The exploration will move to a comprehensive analysis of the principles, structure, and practice of Clearness Meetings. This will include skill development in the areas of deep listening and the use of open and honest questions.

Opportunity will be provided to participate in Clearness Meetings, both as a focus person and as a meeting member.

The course will conclude with further guided reflection, enabling participants to capture the impact of their learning, and establish personal goals for further learning.

Source materials:

• Centre for Courage & Renewal, www.couragerenewal.org
• Palmer, P., 1999. Let Your Life Speak: Listening for the Voice of Vocation. Jossey Bass.
• Palmer, P., 2009. A Hidden Wholeness: The Journey Toward an Undivided Life. Jossey-Bass.
• Quaker Faith & Practice, 1999. Britain Yearly Meeting, Especially Sections 12.22-12.25

Gathering Co-ordinators: Tess Edwards & Jacque Schultz

Tess Edwards

Cost: $358 single room / $319 shared room

Aim: To provide an opportunity for artists to be inspired by the spiritually uplifting surroundings of Silver Wattle, and to consider how creative arts might be built into the development of the Silver Wattle Quaker Centre.

Synopsis: “…..Calling all Creative Friends to a Gathering at Silver Wattle, 21-27/10/2012

• …for a week of creativity, sharing and Friendship, to set in motion a Quaker Fellowship of the Arts (Australia).
• Come along with your own personal artistic/spiritual journey story to share if you wish, and we can be inspired by each other.
• Get feedback on your work and encouragement from other creative Friends.
• Participate in the inaugural Creative Arts Gathering, and offer your ideas on possible future projects.
• Bring your materials and be inspired by the place – a studio will be set up for individual and collaborative work.
• Be open and see what Spirit moves us to do!…”

Source Materials:

Resources brought by the artists

Leader: Barbara Rautman

Barbara Rautman

Aim: To provide the space and opportunity for individual silent retreats with the guidance of an experienced Elder. The entire community will be silent during the week to provide a supportive presence for retreatants.

Materials:
Bring any special devotional literature, and writing materials

Leaders: Ray Brindle & tbc

Ray Brindle

Cost: $ 695 single room, $635 shared room

Aim: To study the Quaker testimonies in terms of their origins and history, and present meanings for each participant. A Quaker Testimony is a way of living that is true to the Inner Guide and reflects Love, Equality, Truthfulness, Simplicity & Peace. We hope Friends will come to deepen their knowledge and understanding of what the source and implications of “testimony” are, and what this means for our inner and outer lives.

Synopsis: The English revolution of the mid-seventeenth century led to major changes in religious toleration, land ownership and eventually the 1688 Bill of Rights.

The Quaker faith started with the inspired teachings of George Fox in the 1640-1650s. His emphasis on the universal nature of the Spirit led to many lives that are a testimony to this inner convincement.

Three examples where Quakers held to their testimonies and led major social change are:

• abolition of slavery
• support for women’s rights
• opposition to violence and war

This course will study aspects of each of these examples, and participants will be encouraged to write advices and queries to guide commitments for their own lives.

Testimonies are more than ‘good ideas’, or things we say we support or even aspire to – they essentially arise from how the Inward Light compels us to be and do. There will be time to consider other modern concerns that have been suggested as new Testimonies – are these truly new Testimonies, or are they contemporary expressions of the original traditional Testimonies?

Source Materials:

• Bacon, M.H., 1980. Valiant Friend. The Life of Lucretia Mott. Walker & Co, New York. 265pp.
• Bacon, M.H., 1986. Mothers of Feminism. The Story of Quaker Women in America. Harper & Row. 273pp.
• Birkel, M.L., 2004. Silence and Witness. The Quaker Tradition. Darton Longman & Todd. 164pp. Esp Chapter 5.
• Brock, P., 1990. The Quaker Peace Testimony: 1660-1914, York, Sessions.
• Hill, C., 1984. The World Turned Upside Down: Radical Ideas During the English Revolution. Penguin
• Lloyd, A., 1950. Quaker Social History. London: Longmans, Green & Co.
• Quaker Faith & Practice, 1999. Britain Yearly Meeting 671pp. Sections 20-25.

Further details and costs from your State Co-coordinator or
Cathy Davies 02 9489 6471 cathydavies@optusnet.com.au or
Tessa Spratt 03 9779 6274 tessas@optusnet.com.au

Tessa Spratt

Leader: Helen Bayes

Helen Bayes

Cost: $358 single room, $391 shared room. $55/day. Children < 16 free

Aim: To start the re-vegetation program at Silver Wattle, and continue to develop practical food production and preserving skills in the community, while learning the spiritual roots of ethical and sustainable living.

Synopsis: Full program to be announced later

Source Materials:

• Cribb, Julian, 2010. The Coming Famine. The Global Food Crisis and What We Can Do to Avoid It. CSIRO Publications 264pp.
• Mollison, W., 1997. Permaculture – A Designers Manual. Ten Speed Press. 597pp.
• Morrow, R., 2006. Earth Users Guide to Permaculture. Hyden House.
• Morrow, R., 2011. A Demanding and Uncertain Adventure. The James Backhouse Lecture 2011. Australia Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) in Australia Inc.
• Permaculture Institute of Australia – see http://permaculture.org.au/what-is-permaculture/
• Quaker Institute for the Future – see www.quakerinstitute.org/

Leaders: Valerie Joy & Abel Sibonio

Valerie Joy

Abel Sibonio

Cost: $548 single room/ $482 shared room

Aim: To learn from the experiences of Friends globally what it means to be a Friend and how each of us can help develop the global spiritual community of Friends. Suitable whether you are an FWCC representative, or simply have a vision of connecting with Friends worldwide and their varied approach to Quaker Testimonies.

Synopsis: Three parts to the week:

Day 1: Interactive Introduction to consider the dimensions of Friends globally. The full report of the World conference probably won’t be ready by August, but papers from the speakers will be available for study & reflection.

Days 2-3: Each participant to choose a country and person with whom to make contact and learn about. Using a series of queries about another meeting/church in another country, such as their work, their faith, their life at home, what makes them hopeful? What are they struggling with? Several overseas Friends will be approached beforehand to be part of these dialogues done by skype and email.

Days 4-6: Participatory Workshop where each participant makes a slow and thoughtful presentation on their research. Abel will still use his stories on how “Salt and Light” came into the refugee camps and the changes that took place. He will map where these Friends now are in the world and how they have been accepted into their various communities. Valerie will still use AWPS stories from her experiences throughout the Asia-West Pacific Section of FWCC. The final day will track where the Spirit is guiding Friends in the four Sections, what will be the challenges and the opportunities in the decades to come.

The week will be held within the Silver Wattle rhythm of prayer, study and work, with times for worship sharing, for singing, and for enjoying the property. The preparation and serving of meals will be a participatory service for all.

Friends will be introduced to the concept of journaling- for those not already using this process – and participants asked to spend time writing what is taking place in their minds and hearts – we will have silent periods set aside for this.

Source Materials:

• Abel and Valerie will develop some papers which will be available during the week.
• Different theologies amongst the FWCC world (I will use the journals edited by Paul Anderson- to which I now subscribe. He nominates a topic each quarter, and then invites Friends of varying theological backgrounds to submit papers).
• Tracing the journey of Friends worldwide from 1991 to 2012.
• Report of the World Conference- what we learnt.
• History of FWCC
• Quakers at the UN, QCEA and other international forums (eg Friends Peace Teams, QSA, AFSC, EFI international and FUM.
• Intervisitation- a two way learning process- using our visit to the USA as an example- but also looking at the concepts and practice of intervisitation.
• Discerning our way into an uncertain future.