Jean Brown reports on the recent activities organised by Creators of Peace in South Australia.
In the past weeks, Creators of Peace South Australia has been creating a variety of spaces to connect with a wide range of women. The first was a one-day retreat where 13 women met around the theme of Grief and Gratitude. The retreat acknowledged the importance of naming both in our lives and understanding the relationship between the two.
A week later, a Creators of Peace Circle was held with the participation of nine women. CoP Circles are an opportunity for participants to explore the nature of peace and their own part in building peace. This circle included a symbolic ritual around forgiveness, involving letting go of ‘hurts’ and ‘hates’ by the launching of leaves into the river and stones thrown out into the middle of the current.
On 21 September, the International Day of Peace, a fundraising lunch was held in support of a new CoP venture, a CoP exchange program between Australia and Indonesia. The program is planned for early next year when a small team of CoP women from Australia will be hosted by IofC/CoP, Indonesia. The women will stay in the homes of host families in Indonesia and take part in Peace Circles, experiencing the richness of the host culture and most importantly building bridges of care and understanding. In a world where many of the major conflicts are taking place between ‘neighbours’, CoP takes seriously their role in relationship building.
More than 50 people contributed to the fundraiser by their presence at the lunch as well as through donations. The Indonesian/Australian caterer contributed very generously by discounting her catering bill. The money raised will start off the fund that will support the exchange program by meeting the on ground costs, so that there is no burden on the Indonesian hosts. Further contributions will be much appreciated. Please contact Jean Brown if you wish to donate.
An outstanding contribution to the event was the presence of Melbourne-based Indonesian, Dahlia Rera, whose lively spirit, colourful costume and dessert making expertise, added flavour and authenticity to the whole occasion.
Those at the lunch also heard a report on the use of the money raised at the 2024 CoP fundraiser, which went towards organizing the very first CoP Circle in Rwanda. The CoP Circle hosted by Jean Nepo Sibomana at his Mustard Seed Institute in Murambi Village had 17 participants, women and men.
‘We are a country(Rwanda) that needs healing, and I have been attending many sessions on personal healing from different organizations, but Creators of Peace is unique. It always starts with one’s inner self and spreads across! The Mustard Seed Institute stands for peace and will always welcome the open collaboration for Peace Circles in the future.’
– Jean Nepo Sibomana