The Peace Abbey
A Sanctuary for World Religions and Retreat & Conference Center for the study and practice of nonviolence. The Peace Abbey, an interfaith center for peacemakers from around the world, was founded following the visit of Mother Teresa to The Life Experience School in 1988. It provides a multi-faith environment for people striving to nurture peace within themselves, their families and communities and world peace; and serves as an ecumenical prototype for all people of faith and goodwill. The Abbey is dedicated to the sacred journey of loving the ways others love God. It is where one can find commonality between their faith and that of others, where promoting non- violence in each religion is set as a primacy, and where tolerance, forgiveness and understanding are seen as core values to be encouraged and embraced. The Abbey is the national repository of signatures of families committing to the Family Pledge of Nonviolence, and a spiritual home for those who believe that pacifism is the highest calling of humanity and the hallmark of our evolution.

The Life Experience School
A peace education day school now in its 26th year. The program provides an academic and service program that is individualized and is geared to foster altruism, activism, self-esteem and success. The nurturing and supportive environment encourages the discovery of hidden skills and talents and the strengthening of compassion and empowerment through service to others. Students benefiting from the curriculum have learning disabilities, epilepsy, attention deficit disorder or developmental disabilities. Our goal is to instill in students a greater sense of self-respect and confidence while assisting them in completing the requirements for their high school diploma. Certified by the Massachusetts Department of Education, the School has pioneered peace education for children with disabilities for a quarter-of-a-century and has been instrumental in establishing similar educational models throughout the country. The Life Experience School maintains educational affiliations with Wellesley College and Harvard University.

Special Peace Corps
Peacework vs. Piecework . . . . Work that Really Matters . . .
The mission of the Special Peace Corps is to offer young men and women with developmental disabilities an opportunity to learn about and experience peacemaking and service as a way of life and a fulfilling vocation. Given the opportunity to serve, special needs adults develop a strong and well-defined desire to participate in efforts which promote human understanding, sensitivity and cooperation through community service. Since 1994, members have shopped for elders, transported large quantities of donated food from supermarkets to soup kitchens, cared for animals in sanctuaries, cleaned municipal parks, prepared and served food to the elders and generally cared for the needs of the community. The presence of people who struggle against enormous personal odds to do their part imbues in the community a spirit of compassion and love. The participation of people-with-disabilities in community service is itself a gift of peace to the community. Special Peace Corps members are gift-bearers, offering endless opportunities for the rest of society to follow their conscientious example of service.

The Courage of Conscience Award
It is out of a desire to promote the causes of peace, justice and nonviolence that The Peace Abbey and The Life Experience School honor individuals and organizations whose work reflects an extraordinary commitment to peace and social justice. This year the following individuals joined Mother Teresa, the Dalai Lama, Muhammad Ali, Maya Angelou, Patch Adams and over 70 other peacemakers from throughout the world in receiving the Award: Hugh C. Thompson, Jr. for his courageous efforts to stop the massacre at My Lai, Vietnam in '68; the Peace Pagoda for the Interfaith Pilgrimage of the Middle Passage; Pulitzer Prize poet & WW II conscientious objector, Stanley Kunitz for his witness to nonviolence through prose, and in absentia, imprisoned Tibetan music teacher Ngawang Choepel for risking his life in returning to Tibet to make a documentary film. Upcoming recipients include Kathy Kelly of Voices in the Wilderness, Lucius Walker of Pastors for Peace and Lawrence Colburn and the late Glenn Andreotta for their role in saving civilians during the My Lai massacre. These presentations will be made on July 4, 1999 at a ceremony prior to the beginning of Stonewalk. Awards are bestowed throughout the year through an open nomination process. The award is in the form of a white marble statue of a peace dove in outreached hands sculpted by internationally acclaimed artist Lado Goudjabidze.

Stonewalk 1999
The moving the Memorial Stone for Unknown Civilians Killed in War from the grounds of The Peace Abbey to Arlington National Cemetery. This special project of the School and Abbey will honor the millions of civilians killed in wars since the founding of our Country. The stone will be placed on a cart on July 4, 1999 and pushed and pulled by human power alone through 73 cities and towns on secondary roads to Washington, DC. We will arrive on August 6, the 54th anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima. STONEWALK is cosponsored by the American Friends Service Committee, Veterans for Peace and Women's Action for New Directions. Hugh C. Thompson, Jr. and Lawrence Colburn, The Soldier’s Medal and Courage of Conscience Award recipients serve as honorary co-chairs of STONEWALK. The Memorial Stone for Unknown Civilians will be placed near the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington with granite benches forming a semi-cycle where visitors will have the opportunity to serve as civilian honor guards before or after observing the changing of the guard.

The Pacifist Memorial
America's international memorial honoring over 65 women and men who devoted their lives to nonviolent social change. At the center of the Memorial stands a 9' bronze statue of Mahatma Gandhi, the chief architect of nonviolence in the 20th Century. Each of the six walls has on both ends one of the prayers for peace of the twelve major religions of the world. Bronze plaques with the names, dates and inspirational quotes of over sixty women and men who dedicated their lives to nonviolent social change line the brick walls. This past year plaques were added honoring Mother Ann Lee - founder of the Shakers, and Helen & Scott Nearing - social activists, ethical vegetarians and homesteaders. New memorial plaques to be installed this next year will honor Mother Teresa, Pat Farren and Maria Montessori. Thousands of people have visited The Pacifist Memorial since its dedication in 1994.

National Registry for Conscientious Objection
The Registry was created at The Peace Abbey following the war in the Persian Gulf in early 1991. The National Registry provides men and women of all ages with an opportunity to register their objection to personal, national and international violence. The Registry is a national campaign to promote peacemaking as a practical ideal: a way of living in the present that represents our best hope for the future. It seeks to inspire peace and social justice in society by inviting peacemakers everywhere to register their conscientious objection to violence, and in so doing, to share with others their commitment to a peaceful world. Over 4000 people from throughout the country have signed the Registry.

Veganpeace Animal Sanctuary
Emily the cow and her fellow escapees from the slaughterhouse continue to serve as wonderful ambassadors for the worldwide movement towards cruelty-free living. The goats, rabbits and turkeys are thriving and are lovingly cared for by members of the Special Peace Corps and students at The Life Experience School. Their presence reminds us of the ethical benefits of a vegetarian diet. The Sanctuary is home to the Greater Boston Vegetarian Resource Library which makes available to the public, books, periodicals and films as well as offers vegetarian cooking classes. Animals lovers from the Boston area visit often and bring friends with the hope that meeting animals that have escaped from slaughterhouses might inspire them to take the next step on the path of cruelty-free living. Plans to expand the sanctuary to provide additional accommodation for refugees from slaughterhouses is underway.

Eastern American Indian Cultural Center, Inc.
North Star Fire Station, Milford, MA
(updated March 17, 2000)
The Eastern American Indian Cultural Center, Inc. is a community based nonprofit organization formed to educate children and adults in the traditions of American Indians. Through workshops, presentations and hands-on activities, interested groups and individuals can learn the history, lifestyle, traditions and crafts of Native Peoples.
A sample of the types of programs offered at the Cultural Center:
--sit in front of a warm fire to hear storyteller Walks in Peace relate legends of the First Peoples.
--practice the art of beading, leather work or basketmaking.
--gain a greater understanding of the true history of Native Peoples and how stereotypes have grown from misunderstandings.
--explore the native philosophy of living in balance with Mother Earth.
--experience Native American ceremonies, drumming, dress and food.

Community Outreach: The Cultural Center is committed to traveling into the community to educate groups in their setting. School and scouting groups, civic organizations, nursing homes and social groups are encouraged to contact us to discuss arranging a program to fit their interests. EAICC, Inc. is not affiliated with any tribe or counsel but is open to all interested in gaining a greater understanding and appreciation of American Indian Culture. The Cultural Center sponsors the North Star Drum. This ceremonial drum is available, on a limited basis, for performances.

Native Ceremonies such as weddings, healings, funerals, and namings can be arranged with the Cultural Center’s Director and Medicine Man Buffalo Eyes.

To receive a workshop flyer or for further information:
call: (508) 478-5903, write: EAICC c/o 15 Julian Lane, Milford, MA 01757 or e-mail: EAICC@juno.com

Tax-deductible contributions can be made to the above programs at Strawberry Fields. Please make checks payable to The Life Experience School, 2 North Main St., Sherborn, Massachusetts 01770. Your financial support is greatly needed and deeply appreciated.