Mother's Day Peace Circles

Below is a suggested outline and references for holding a Mother’s Day Peace Circle. Each circle is autonomous. This information is intended to be suggestions only. Choose to work with the pieces that resonate with you. Or, create an entirely new format.

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1. Opening
Choose one or more of the following elements:.

Opening Words: Click here for suggested quotes and readings.
Prayer: Click here for non-denominational prayers. If all circle participants are from a particular faith-tradition, consider a prayer consistent with that tradition.
Silent Meditation: Have participants sit in silence for five minutes, focusing on their breathing.
Guided Meditation/Centering: Click here for a suggestion.
Introductions: If the circle participants are not a group that meets regularly, go around the circle and let each person introduce themselves, and state why they came.

2. Reading and Discussion: Julia Ward Howe’s Mother’s Day Proclamation

Read the Mothers Day Proclamation. out loud. Then, go around the circle, giving each woman an opportunity to speak from her mind and heart. Possible questions to address:

What is your reaction to Julia Ward Howe’s call for peace?
Do Howe’s words resonate with you? If so, are you surprised she wrote them so long ago?
What does “peace” mean to you?
How do you work toward peace in your own daily life?

3. Counsel – Where do we go from here?

Group discussion: Does the circle as a whole want to take action for peace? Or, do individuals want to take independent action? What are the most effective courses of action?
Distribute copies of the list of suggested actions and organizations. Discuss which ones resonate, either with the group or with individuals.
If the circle wants to take action as a group, set a meeting date and time to get started. (Or, designate one or two people to coordinate the details of the next meeting.)

4. Closing
Choose one or more of the following elements:

Closing Words: Click here for suggested quotes and readings.
Give each person in the circle the opportunity to speak a word or phrase describing how she feels.
Prayer: Click here for suggestions.