Peace Circles are a 6-week experience for groups of 6–10 designed to empower participants for acts of peacemaking in their hearts, homes, community and the world while being supported with prayer and spiritual community. The following shows a sample Peace Circles session.
Gathering and Lighting a Candle
Reading and Silent Reflection on passage of Scripture
Ephesians 1: 8b-10. In all his wisdom and insight 9 God did what he had purposed, and made known to us the secret plan he had already decided to complete by means of Christ.10 This plan, which God will complete when the time is right, is to bring all creation together, everything in heaven and on earth, with Christ as head.
Sharing Acts of Peacemaking Last Week
Song/Hymn (Sing the Story #10, by David Haas, based on a Navajo prayer)
Peace before us, peace behind us, peace under our feet.
Peace within us, peace over us, let all around us be peace.
3-Step Circle Process
1. Awareness
Call to mind and heart an image or feeling that makes you feel peace. Focus on what already feels peaceful to you. Going around the circle, share aloud saying, "I feel peaceful when……."
2. Vision
This is about vision at any level – personal, community, world. Call to mind what you experience or know is NOT peaceful in you, in a setting in which you work or live, in your community, congregation, world. Consider what would make that situation more peaceful for yourself or others. Imagining the peaceful situation you would like to see come about, share around the circle by saying, "Peace for me would be……."
3. Action
Consider a very specific, single, realistic action you are willing to take (or behavior you are willing to change) to grow peace this week. This is commonly related to Step 2 (though not always). Complete this statement, "To grow peace, this week I will……."
Peace Prayer Dismissal (Adapted from Sing the Journey, #195)
The blessing of God,
the shalom of God
the wildness and warmth of God,
be among us
and between us,
now and always.
The Divine Spirit dwells in us
as makers of peace.
Thanks be to God!
