Group focuses on spreading peaceful, easy feeling

If you focus on building peace in your community, it doesn’t mean that you are:

• Happy all the time.

• Nice all the time.

• Calm all the time.

“Unless you are an absolute saint,” said Joan Broeckling, director of One Peace, Many Paths, a Spokane peace group.

Then, she caught herself. Some saints, she acknowledged, were known for their crabbiness and impatience. Which you can experience and still be a peaceful person, by the way.

“Peace is a very dynamic word,” Broeckling said. “It pulls us into the deepest parts of ourselves. It calls us to move out into the world and be of service.”

For the third year, the One Peace, Many Paths group is sponsoring “Pathways to Peace,” a series of September events introducing community members to peace activities, ideas and practices.

The One Peace, Many Paths group formed in 2008 out of the Unity Church in Spokane and has grown to include members from other groups and faith traditions.

According to its website, the group endeavors to “honor and celebrate all paths to peace, recognizing that peace is a universal longing of the human heart.”

Broeckling and other organizers invite community members to explore peace and understand the complexities behind the seemingly simple word.

Events include:

• “Handy-Dandy.” This two-person play addresses nuclear disarmament and justice. Followed by a candle-lighting ceremony observing 9/11. Sept. 11, 7 p.m. Unity Church, 2900 S. Bernard St.

• “Finding Peace in the Midst of Conflict.” Sept. 12, 6:30 p.m. Unity Center of North Spokane, 4123 E. Lincoln Road.

• International potluck and universal worship service. The interfaith service, presented by the Sufi group Baraka, includes rituals from various faith traditions and concludes with circle dancing. Participants are encouraged to bring a dish to share from their heritage. Sept. 15, 5:45 p.m. Unity Church.

• Peace Arts Festival. The daylong event features songs, poetry, drumming, peace flags, chalk art, food and dance. With kid-friendly activities. Sept. 18, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Unity Church, 2900 S. Bernard St.

• Honoring the nations ceremony. Participants will visualize and pray for peace for each nation of the world. Sept. 21, 6:30 p.m. Center for Spiritual Living, 2825 E. 33rd Ave.

In September, several faith congregations and other groups in the Inland Northwest will also share with the public ways to practice peace. To find additional Pathways to Peace events, go to www.onepeacemanypaths.org.