Peace is created when relationships from the personal to the global are based on (1) empathy, (2) respect, (3) honesty, (4) positive intention and (5) negotiation skills. This Dinner Theme reflects the Earth Charter’s Principle 16f “We recognize that peace is the wholeness created by right relationships with oneself, other persons, other cultures, other life, Earth, and the larger whole of which all are a part”

Guests

Family, Friends, Military Members & Families, Diverse Faith Community Members, Neighbors/Colleagues/Acquaintances from different countries.

Setting

Home, Faith Community, Memorial Parks, and ethnic centers.

Tablescape

A papier-mâché replica of the holiday ornament created by artist Christopher Radko for the year 2000—a globe encircled with children holding hands and dressed in native clothes with two doves perched on top OR Dove shaped candles or sculptures centered on top of a kite: (The Kite design is based on the Day of Ten Thousand Kites when the hopes, dreams, aspirations, and visions of ordinary Israelis and Palestinians who desperately wanted peace flew 10,000 kites on either side of the wall. The children and adults painted the kites with messages telling the world that tens of thousands of Israelis and Palestinians want peace.)

Art/Music

Sing: Let there be peace on Earth, let it begin with me. (This song has reference to “God, the Father & Brothers all are we,” which would not be appropriate for everyone). Click here for the lyrics!

Menu

Menu #1 Vegetarian
Giada’s Lentil Rice Loaf with Fresh Tomato Bruschetta Sauce, 5 ingredient Greens Salad, Crusty Bread, Argentina’s Mairena Savignon Blanc and World Peace Cookies by Dorie Greenspan.

Menu #2
Peace Soup (pea soup), Hearts of Palm Salad, 5 Easy Pizzas, World Peace Cookies, 5 piece cheese tray and wine for dessert.

Conversation Opener

We could instigate a food fight to learn how each of us handles conflict but why don’t we instead discuss: Who would you prefer to behave like when you get under pressure, frustrated or feel like losing your cool? Gary Grant? Will Smith? Madeline Albright? Barack Obama? Three Stooges?

Questions to be Asked after a Glass of Wine

• Did you know Julia Ward Howe started Mother’s Day in 1870 as a result of the human and economic devastation of the Civil War? Her call for women to rise up against war was spread through the crusade work of Anna Jarvis to found a memorial day for women, which was celebrated around the country. Finally, in 1914 Congress officially declared the first national Mother’s Day.
• Just before his death Mahatma Gandhi pressed a paper into the hand of his grandson, Arum Gandhi, and said, “Keep this as a talisman. What I have written here are the Seven Blunders that the human society commits that cause all the violence. Work to change this.” What are your thoughts about Gandhi’s Blunders:
• 1. Wealth without Work
• 2. Pleasure without conscience
• 3. Knowledge without character
• 4. Commerce without morality
• 5. Science without humanity
• 6. Worship without service
• 7. Politics without principles
• In a diverse group, there are diverse opinions. It may be a good idea to discuss how civilians and military members and families, who want peace in the world but may differ on the way to make world peace happen, can dialogue in a respectful way so that each is heard and that when views differ the respect and empathy for the other stays alive.
• Discuss personal techniques that you use or know about for increasing inner peace.

Actions

• Make a personal resolution to practice chosen techniques for increasing inner peace.
• Recognize and positively reinforce peaceful actions by others, i.e. when a family member, co-worker, or neighbor stays calm instead of getting angry in a stressful situation.
• Pass on Peace
  Teach a child or youth conflict resolution. There is loads of info on this topic. One source is from Stephen Covey’s The Seven Habits of Highly Successful People, which can be found as an application for adults to use with children here.
• Day of 10,000 Kites has been replicated by other countries like Canada and the U.S. (California, Texas, Missouri, Maine, George and North Carolina). They chose their own messages of peace. Perhaps, your group would like to do one in your hometown. See description under “Tablescape”
• Code Pink is an outgrowth of Julia Ward Howe’s Proclamation for Mother’s Day. There are over 250 local Code Pink groups throughout the US and overseas. Each group acts autonomously and does its own dreaming and scheming. Groups may hold weekly vigils, unfurl banners over freeways, organize educational events, or hold sit-ins in the offices of elected officials.

Closing Toast

We look forward to the time when the Power of Love will replace the Love of Power.  Then will our world know the blessings of peace.  ~William Ewart Gladstone

OR

Let there be peace on earth
And let it begin with me.
~Seymour Miller & Jill Jackson, “Let There Be Peace on Earth,” 1955