Past Events

Previous PEACenter Events

The Peace Education and Action Center has sponsored the following events since its inception in the summer of 2007.

September 27, 2009

Peace Day Picnic and Honoring our Elders Celebration

Members of the PEACenter, the South West Florida Coalition for Peace and Justice (SWFCPJ), and Trinity Metropolitan Community Church gathered on Sunday, September 27, for the International Peace Day Picnic to celebrate elders in the community for their inspiration and service.

The program for the day included a welcome, potluck luncheon, musical presentations, a book sale, film screening, and a ceremony of the elders being recognized. Two members of the SWFCPJ, Ruth Roberts Upshall and Dr. Patrick Murphy were honored and presented with tokens of appreciation. Ms. Upshall spoke of the fulfillment of her earlier interest in peace and justice issues during her later years that has continued into the present day. She currently serves as a tireless Secretary of the SWFCPJ performing administrative duties beyond her role in response to the needs of the organization.

Dr. Pat Murphy brings his lifelong commitment to peace from his experiences in Africa and at Amherst College in Massachusetts to Florida where he served on the Board of the Florida Coalition for Peace and Justice before coming to the Sarasota-Bradenton area and joining the local group. Through Progressive Secretary, which he helped to found, Pat addresses issues and decision-makers with abundant persuasive letters Both honorees urged listeners to continue their efforts and remain hopeful.

Two members of the MCC congregation, E John Dorr and Billy Bruce Wagener were celebrated for their advocacy of peace and justice services, same sex marriage, and unfair tax procedures.

The film, "The Day After Peace," impressed the audience with its account of a meaningful observance of the UN designation of International Peace Day efforts to call for a worldwide cease fire on September 21

September 11 - September 21, 2009

Coordinated 11 Days of Global Unity Activities for Sarasota, culminating in International Peace Day.

Screened the documentary The Day After Peace twice in conjunction with the Sarasota Film Society and AnythingArts.com. Collected donations and raised enough money to purchase five DVDs for area high schools.

Sponsored a resolution in Support of Local Citizens taking Action for Peace that was passed unanimously by the Sarasota City Commission.

Was successful in getting the Sarasota County School Board to pass a Proclamation in support of the International Peace Day Initiative.

April 30, 2009

Sponsored a Book Talk by Constance Hammond, the author of "Shalom/Salaam/Peace: A Liberation Theology of Hope" at Sarasota News and Books.

March 20-22, 2009

First Annual Teach Peace Conference held on New College Campus

Keynote Speaker: Paul Loeb; Five workshop strands - Building a Culture of Peace, Teaching Peace, Personal Peace, the Cost of War and Mobilizing Youth and Young Adults

February 18, 2009

Sponsored a Film Screening of 'When I Come Home', followed by a talk with Aaron Glantz, author of The War Comes Home: Washington's Battle Against America's Veterans.

December 2008

Made presentation to the Democratic Women's Club of Manatee County on the importance of teaching peace.

Picture: Piero Falci of One Planet United

Speaks at the Teach Peace Conference

November 24, 2008

John Dear Book Talk at the First Presbyterian Church

Father Dear was touring in support of his book A Persistent Peace: One Man's Struggle for a Nonviolent World. Book discussion groups were held in Manatee and Sarasota Counties for 6 weeks prior to the event. Over 250 people attended the event at First Presbyterian Church.

September 21, 2008

Hosted the first Peace Day Picnic and Honoring Our Elders Celebration at the Friends Meetinghouse. Honored Lottie Swann-Crawford, Peter Duisberg, Mary Elmendorf and Mary Sheppard for their contributions to furthering the goals of peace and justice.

August 9, 2008

Sponsored film screening and facilitated discussion of Stanley Kubrick's Dr. Strangelove or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb.

August 9, 2008

Empathy Before Education Workshop

NVC Practioner Mercedes Frace facilitated this 2.5 hour teacher's playshop for teachers to gain basic skills in Nonviolent Communication.

February 2-3

Sponsored a 2 day Educator Workshop with Nonviolent Communication Trainer Sura Hart. This workshop focused on enhancing teachers' abilities to foster safety and trust and build a more caring, participatory and truly compassionate classroom.

February 1, 2008

Sponsored a one-day parenting seminar with Nonviolent Communication Trainer Sura Hart. Participants gained skills in language and listening that support living and working joyfully and cooperatively with children without resorting to shame, judgment or punishment.

January 30, 2008

Sponsored a talk by Charles Webel, Fulbright Senior Specialist in Peace and Conflict Studies on Terrorism and Counterterrorism: Is a Nonviolent Strategy Possible?

December 20, 2007

Sponsored a presention by Dr. Will Tuttle, author of World Peace Diet: Eating for Spiritual Health and Social Harmony.

December 2007

Organized presentations by diverse groups/individuals to the Sarasota County School Board in response to the incident at Bay Haven Elementary School where students were unable to recognize conscientious objectors during the school's Veteran's Day Celebration.

November 2007

Sponsored a Film Screening of "Troop 1500: Girl Scouts Beyond Bars" which documents an innovative Girl Scout program brings daughters together with their inmate mothers, offering them a chance to rebuild their broken relationships.

November 30, 2007

Sponsored K.C. Walpole's presentation on AmericanPrisons: What's Wrong, What You Can Do About It. Kinloch C. Walpole is the Abbott of theGateless Gate Zen Center. Mr. Walpole is an ordained bodhisattva teacher in the Kwan Um Zen tradition and has been active in a prison ministry and in prison reform for over a decade. He brings viable new ideas to the issue of American Prisons. Presentations were given at New College (2-4pm) and the Friends Meetinghouse (7-9pm).

October 2007

Colman McCarthy, founder of the Center for Teaching Peace, visited Booker High School and spoke to approximately 200 students in three sessions on the importance of teaching peace. Later that evening he spoke to about 200 community members at Sanier Auditorium on the campus of New College.

August 2007

Sponsored reception for SalOm: Step One - Stepping Towards Peace presented by Fuzion Dance Company at Backlot Arts Theater.This dance-based, interactive performance was conceived in 2000 by Keren Shani-Lifrak and was originally adopted by Upper Manhattan Arts Project in New York City.