The Young People’s Dance is a one-day Dance beginning with a sweat lodge at 10 am and ending in late afternoon with a feast and a giveaway.
Most Dances at the Center are traditionally a time of fasting, but because the focus of this dance is on young people, water and light food will be available between Dance rounds for any dancers who feel they need it.
Dance Chief Nan Citty, LCSW, has participated in native-based ceremonies at the Center for Peace and abroad (in Brazil, Israel and Ireland) for more than a decade. Other dancers, drummers, singers, fire tenders, and chiefs who actively commit their time at the Center for Peace will be helping us with this Dance. Grandfather Joseph has blessed these children and us all with his teachings.
What to Bring
Participants should bring clothes for both the sweat lodge and the dance.
Traditionally, the girls are asked to wear skirts or dresses with loose sleeves.
The boys are to wear apron skirts over their jeans or shorts.
Bring a sleeping bag or blanket for resting between dance rounds.
Please bring one white sheet per dancer.
There will be a feast following the Dance, so bring food to share.
We will also be holding a giveaway after the feast, so bring something you would like to give away to symbolize the sharing of our bountiful gifts and the love and caring we have for all our brothers and sisters. Such sharing helps us to impart to our children the importance of honoring the gifts of this Earth and of the Spirit. The children in turn help remind us that to believe is to receive.
The cost to put on the dance is $25 per person $100 for family of 4 or more.There is no charge for ceremony.
If you have questions, contact Nan Citty at865-405-6809.
STAR DANCE
2014 Star Dance
August 22nd-24th
led by Margarita DiVita
This is an invitational call for Dancers for the Star Dance, a sacred dance for All People given by Spirit through the personal vision of John Pehrson.
This three-day event is about bringing balance to the land through fasting and prayer in movement. The dance renews our connection to the Star People and our cosmic heritage. It is also about personal inspiration and growth, exploring new potentials and possibilities, finding a new path, or making a needed course correction to realign with our Life Purpose. It is about stepping fully into your power, and a powerful way to accelerate spiritual progress.
If you are new to sacred dance, go within and seek to know if you are one of the Star-Dancers. Although there are many ways to serve, few have a greater personal reward than dancing. It would be a blessing & gift to have you dance this year!
2014 has been, and continues to be, a Call to Action. It is a testing year. Issues we thought long settled are again up for review. Our values are being tested to see if we are willing to stand up for what we believe.
Issues of personal liberty versus the surveillance state, health care, the treatment of women around the world, gay marriage, how we organize and distribute wealth, connectedness and unity versus separation, tribalism and privilege” are a few examples of what has arisen before us so that we can recognize and embrace the opportunities to change what has created an imbalance within our Divine Feminine and Divine Masculine.
On a personal level, many continue to experience inner and outer change, finding things bubbling up to the surface to be processed and cleared away. The fastest way to leave behind what no longer serves you, and to step more fully into your power and purpose is to dance! As we dance, we also bring much-needed balance to the Earth. So, MAKE A DIFFERENCE! If you feel called, come dance with us or serve on the crew!
The requested donation for the Star Dance is $450.00. There is an honoring responsibility of an energetic exchange between a Dancer and Spirit. Think of it as seed money that will return to you multiplied based on your commitment and faith. If you are not in a position, at the present time, to cover the full donation, feel free to contact Margarita to discuss some options. Crew members are requested to make a donation of $35.00 for food, supplies and camping.
Work Day for the Star Dance
Work Day for the Star Dance
Saturday, August 16th, 2014
10 am-4 pm
(this workday can be used as part of the "Work Exchange" program
to help pay for most dances at the Center)
Dance Chief Margarita DiVita ask that we come together as a community to prepare the space for the Star Dance, which will take place August 22nd-24th.
There will be plenty of work to do.
Split and stack firewood
Prepare the Dance Arbor
Mowing needs to be done
Clean the composting toilets (sweep, empty trash, replenish supplies, clean seats, look for wasp nests etc)
Weed eat around meadow, Sound Chamber & arbor
There is also work to be done at the house, such as cleaning the kitchen and gift shop.
Sweep and tidy up Sound Chamber
If you are willing to come help, please contact Star Dance-email.
One of the teachings from Beautiful Painted Arrow is that “Work is worship.”
Working in a mindful way with those in our community is one way we can truly “Walk in Beauty.” When we say ‘walk in beauty’ we are really saying ‘Walk in Love. It is the Blessing Way.’ To walk in beauty is to celebrate the principal ideas that create our bodies.
Bring
Gloves
Appropriate clothing
Water
AND an open willing attitude.
If you have any special skills, please let us know so we can best use your talents. Of course, we will first take care of the pressing needs, but there is a lot of work to be done and all your talents are valuable.
Want to dance? The Council at the Center For Peace has established rates of exchange for work contributions.
The work exchange rate is $15 per hour. You will need to work a minimum of 4 hours on a given day. Generally we work no more than 10 hours in a day. This may or may not include a lunch, you might need to bring your own light lunch, ask when scheduling your work day.
Please contact the Dance Chief or Coordinator (you may use the links in the article below) if you are interested in contributing towards your dance in this way.
Grounds Maintenance Projected: 4-10 hours Date: In addition to scheduled work days (see Calendar) you may email us with your available days and which Dance you will be dancing and we will try to accommodate, pending our schedules.
We are asking for sponsorship through monthly donations.
These donations do not need to be large but if those who love the Center for Peace could help by committing a few dollars on a monthly basis it could be the difference between always hoping that someday we will be able to build or provide those needed areas (i.e. showers, sleeping areas, restrooms) and actually making it happen.
If you have participated in any of the programs, offerings, and events that occur on an ongoing basis at the Center for Peace you have already felt the personal blessings from these activities. Our mission is to be a Spiritual Center for our community which extends to anyone open to this learning path.
Right now (June 2014) we have need for the following.
Freezer (12 cubic feet or larger)
Vacuum cleaner - Light weight, great condition
If you can help with either of these items please email us and let us know.
On Sunday September 7th we will gather at the Peace Sound Chamber at the Center For Peace in Seymour, Tennessee to chant.
The Peace Sound Chamber which was inspired by the vision of Joseph Rael, is one in a worldwide network of chambers.
These chambers were constructed to assist in the healing of Mother Earth by "injecting" the vibration of the people chanting into the energetically connected web of the chambers around the world.
What to Bring:
An open heart and mind.
Comfortable clothing (Ladies please wear skirts.Skirts are recommended for both men and women. Men may wear a ceremonial belt instead.)
Water
Please arrive on time.
The focus this month will be on the Chant for Summer.
Chant for the Summertime:
Pell Tah = Cultivating
Pell = early (recurring) focus
P = the Sound of the Heart
E = the power of placement
ell =the reflectivity of ascending light
Tah
T = to crystallize
A = washing, purity, purification, purifying light
H = stepladder to the heavenly planes, beyond the beyond
"Chanting is how we enter into the eternal now. The energetic vibrations of our voices bond us to the spiritual light made of memory, and of now, and of future, for we are the light of universal intelligence. As we chant the Universe speaks to us in metaphoric images.
The chanter is the cosmic universe in miniature. The person chanting is the embodiment of the earth and sky. When chanting, I start by pretending the in breath is the sky energy, and the out-breath is the earth energy. The highest nerve center is located at the voice center, the place in the human anatomy where the sky and earth in the human anatomy are connected. Sound vibration connects the mind, body and spirit, and makes the physical body whole."
excerpts from Joseph Rael's book "Being and Vibration"
Monthly Sweat Lodges
Saturday Lodge
September 6th
fire starts @ 10:00 am
go in lodge about 11:30
~led by Steve Citty
Due to the Dances scheduled this summer there will be changes to the lodge dates.
There will be no Thursday night lodge in July
Next Lodge is Saturday August 2nd
There will be no Thursday Night Lodge in August
There will be no Saturday Lodge in September
September Thursday Night Lodge is September 18th
Beginning in October we will return to our normal schedule of
First Saturday & Third Thursday
These are the dates for the next 3 months:
(times are the time the fire will be started)
Saturday, July 5th - 10am (go in lodge at 11am)
Saturday, August 2nd - 10am (go in lodge at 11am)
Thursday September 18th - 5:30pm (go in lodge at 7pm)
There is a possibility that we will have a lodge on Thursday, August 21st. Watch the newsletters for information.
Due to the number of participants we have been having at the lodges, we enlarged the lodge on a recent work day. Now we should have no problem with groups of about 20.
The new lodge gives us the chance to sit on the grass. This also brings new procedures to the lodges as we will be covering and uncovering the lodge before and after each use.
Please arrive as early as 1 hour prior to lodge time to help with the process of covering the lodge.
A sweat lodge or "Purification Lodge", is an intensely rewarding experience. By entering the womb of Mother Earth (the lodge), we seek purification and a deeper spiritual awareness through prayer.
Generally speaking the experience is to deepen spiritual awareness. The steam, heat, and darkness intensify prayers and personal introspection. The lodge leader (pourer), with help from the fire tender, hold an energetic space of safety and security while setting the intent of the lodge. The medicine of the lodge leader and of each participant helps to enrich the lessons of the lodge.
There are composting toilets in the meadow. You may change clothes in these toilets or at the Peace Sound Chamber. There is no nudity in our lodges.
Suggested Items to Bring:
Two Towels
Men are requested to wear swim trunks, gym shorts or something similar.
Women are requested to wear a skirt or dress. (Something for inside the sweat that is modest and you don’t mind getting muddy.)
Change of clothes (Preferably long sleeve and covers all of the legs to keep from getting the feast area dirty).
Covered Dish for the Feast.
It is appropriate to bring tobacco, a small gift, or monetary gift for the fire-keeper and lodge master, both of whom offer their services to the people as a gift.
Cash donations are used to support the Sweat Lodge. We use lots of wood for the fire; supplies like herbs (sage, tobacco, cornmeal, etc.), drinking water, and more. If you are feeling abundant, a donation would be appreciated. (Typically $10-$20)
There is never a charge for Ceremony. If you are not feeling abundant, PLEASE do not allow this to prevent you from coming.
Monthly Fire Ceremony
Fire Ceremony
(monthly)
August 7th - 6:45 pm
~ led by Katy Koontz
The purpose of theFIRE CEREMONYis to heal and purify both the planet’s physical oceans and the oceans of cosmic thought.
At 7 pm local time, fire elders light ceremonial fires at each of the Peace Sound Chambers around the world. Those present watch the fire in silence until it burns out, giving to it what we want to transmute in our lives and staying open to the messages and teachings it brings.
All are welcome. We suggest you arrive around 6:45 pm.
Donations are appreciated.
WEEKLY
"Messiah" Training
"Messiah" Training
Tuesdays 7-8:30pm
~led by Perry Robinson
"In September of 2009, I began leading a weekly seminar at the Center for Peace around the subject of 'Messiah' Training. These are on a continuing basis [until they are not] and everyone is invited to participate.
"If you have read and liked such books as Richard Bach’s ILLUSIONS and/or are intrigued by the teachings of A COURSE IN MIRACLES and/or follow the visionary path taught by people like Joseph Rael, you already may have been studying up on this subject – already a 'messiah in training'.
"Please do not let the language throw you! These times together are very little about doctrine, demands, or nice ideas and much more about self discovery, personal power, and mutual support."
The Center For Peace is a 501(c) (3) not for profit corporation.
We exist on donations.
If you have ever come to the Center For Peace and liked what you found, PLEASE consider donating now; either a one time donation, or set up an ongoing donation through PayPal.
It seems this is a better way to stay in touch interactively than the page format. We will keep up the page, but invite you to join our new group as well. Simply "click" on the Facebook button above.
The Center for Peace is a non-profit religious corporation in the State of Tennessee. Donations to the Center for Peace can be claimed as deductions from income for income tax purposes.
Active Council Members of the Center for Peace:
Nan Citty
Knoxville, TN 865-405-6809
Steve Citty Knoxville, TN 865-300-4424
Ashley King
Maryville, TN
865 466-0157
Teresa McKee
Lenoir City,TN
865-755-0778
Sandy Palmer
Seymour, TN
865-304-0765
Heather Robinson
Seymour, TN
865-414-9492
Jeanne Robinson Seymour, TN 865-428-3070
Lee Sinnott
Johnson City, TN
336-624-5829
Peggy Towson
Knoxville, TN
865 661-9111
Chanting in the Chamber
The Peace Sound Chamber is available for chanting, vision quests and ceremonies of many different types.
You are encouraged to come to the chamber and chant, drum, meditate or simply sit (the chamber Spirits love it); please check first that there is not something already scheduled. Please call at least two weeks in advance to reserve our facilities as usage requires council approval
Center For Peace • 880 Graves Delozier Road • Seymour • TN • 37865
