Metropolitan Community Church of Toronto
&
Dances of Universal Peace
invite you to
an Aramaic Lord’s Prayer workshop

Dancing with the Aramaic Jesus—The Lord’s Prayer

Saturday, 21 January, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm and 6:30 – 9:00 pm
Metropolitan Community Church of Toronto
115 Simpson Avenue, Toronto

The sounds of the Aramaic language, which Jesus spoke, are rich with ways of knowing the atmosphere within which 1st century men and women—saints, sinners, rich and poor, from all walks of life—were welcomed at the table. The healing ways of Jesus’ words are systematically unveiled in the work of Saadi Neil Douglas Klotz as he opens the door to these teachings anew, with beauty and renewed hospitality. This is truly the Good News!

Jalila Joanne Murray will be coming to Toronto to lead this workshop. The beauty and profound message of the prayer drew her to the Dances of Universal Peace. She has been leading the Dances in eastern Ontario for 18 years

To register, please download this flyer, then complete and send in the included form.

One of the community events is the weekly Tuesday night potluck dinners where the Khankah has welcomed people from all over the world for more than 25 years. In general, the Bay Area is a treasurehouse of Sufi activities within the Inayati, Mevlevi and other lineages as well as many diverse spiritual and cultural offerings.

The Khankah consists of the Mentorgarten at 410 Precita Avenue, plus two residential houses located close by in the Bernal Heights neighborhood of San Francisco. The houses on Norwich Street form a compound set amidst beautiful gardens in a large landscape with a stunning view overlooking much of San Francisco and the Bay Area across Marin and the East Bay. There is a beautiful well-equipped community kitchen and dining area which forms the heart of the shared household. The precious paper archives of all of Murshid Samuel Lewis’ writings are housed in this complex, in a space that is also a library of spiritual texts and a meditation room.

Wali Ali and his family live at the Mentorgarten, which was Murshid Samuel Lewis’ home. The downstairs meeting room, where the Dances of Universal Peace first began, is open for classes and other activities during the year. Sufi students living in the area often join us in these activities and are considered associate members.

Details of Khankah SAM activities and schedules can be found by visiting ruhaniat.org, and clicking on Khankah SAM or by simply going to khankahsam.org.

At this time, we are happy to report that two spaces are open for new residents at Khankah SAM. One of these spaces, at 63 Norwich Street is a studio unit with its own bathroom and private entrance that has been recently upgraded. It would be suitable for a couple or for a single person. The rent for this space is $800 per month. The other space is a small single room with shared bath on the upper floor of 65 Norwich. The rent for this room is $625.

The choice to join the Khankah is particularly appropriate for Sufi initiates who wish to actively pursue the path of universal Sufism expressed by Pir-o-Murshid Inayat Khan and Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti (Murshid Samuel Lewis). In many respects it is the birthplace of the Sufi Ruhaniat International.

Those who are interested in exploring the option of joining Khankah SAM in the immediate future should contact Murshid Wali Ali via email: waliali@marinsufis.com. A representative of the Khankah will respond to your inquiry and set in motion further communication about the process. In addition to residency, Khankah SAM also makes accommodations for short and long term guests. There are guidelines for the community life and responsibilities that are detailed in a paper sent for review to all who are interested in the possibility of joining this urban Sufi community.

Love and Blessings,
Murshid Wali Ali Meyer for Khankah SAM

The Dances of Universal Peace

21st Annual Ithaca Dance Camp

June 23 – 26, 2011
(Thursday dinner through Sunday lunch)

Dance  –  Sing  –  Find Joy

(You can download the flyer here)

The Ithaca Dance Camp is an annual weekend retreat in the beautiful Arnot Forest. Each year, about 100 people gather to dance, sing, cook, eat and live together in community. Everyone is welcome from all walks of life. Dance sessions are held after breakfast and dinner, plus an extra session on Saturday afternoon (a total of seven Dance sessions). There is also plenty of time for you to enjoy the land and each other’s company, to help with meal prep, or to offer a scheduled activity or workshop.

Arnot Forest

Arnot Forest is a beautiful camp in the wooded hills about 15 miles from Ithaca. It has a number of rustic cabins, tenting space, and hiking trails. There is a main lodge (with a kitchen) where we dance and eat together. There is a building with community showers and restrooms. For more information about Arnot Forest visit: http://www2.dnr.cornell.edu/arnot

Children’s Activities

Children are central to Camp, and we provide KidCamp programming during each dance session, led by a dedicated mentor. To plan for our children and youth this year, we need to know who is coming. Our tweens and teens may need freedom more than structure, while ages 4-8 may enjoy our traditional nature-based crafts, outdoor games, and creek walks. The Kid’s Cabin will again be home base. Please let us know names, ages and interests of your young-uns. And we request help with: Kid’s Cabin setup (Thursday), Cabin breakdown (Sunday), Snack running (throughout), and being a Storyteller or Helper (during a dance session). Please Contact Jaekah Chase at 607-339-6545,

Cheri Botts at (cheradance -at – gmail.com) or Sara Culotta at 607-273-1287. Your confirmation letter will include KidCamp details.

Fees and Registration

Deadline for registration without late fee is June 15, 2011. See the attached registration form for details. Due to space limitations, registration will be limited to the first 99 adult registrants. Fees are sliding scales based on your ability to pay. We will need the average of this scale to cover costs:

• Adults (ages 17+): $130 – $195 sliding scale per adult + $25 late fee after June 15th
• Children (ages 4 – 16): $65 – $90 sliding scale per child  + $10 late fee after June 15th
• Children (ages 3 and under): Free

The children’s fee includes the costs associated with the children’s program.

Food

Three meals per day are provided, starting with dinner on Thursday, June 23rd, and ending with lunch the following Sunday.

Menus have been planned in advance. We all volunteer to prepare meals and/or clean up afterwards (i.e., party in the kitchen!). You can choose which meals you will help with. All meals will be simple, healthy, vegetarian, and (where possible) using local organic produce. If you have special dietary needs, indicate this on the registration form. We may not be able to provide for all needs, so be prepared to bring what you require.

Lodging

Tenting: Please tent if you are able, so that cabins can be available for those who find it difficult or impossible to tent. If you plan to tent, please bring your own; tents are not provided.

Cabins: There are three heated cabins and five unheated cabins (64 beds in all). Cabins are available on a “first come, first served” basis. However, people with infants or special needs will have first priority. Please note your lodging needs on the registration form, and/or whether you have an infant. Cabins have bunk beds with mattresses. You will need to bring your own bedding.

Dance Leaders

The Dances will be led by many dance leaders, both from Ithaca and visiting from afar. If there is a chance that you will want to lead a Dance, please indicate this on your registration form. We will contact you to coordinate.

Other Details

Getting there: After we receive your registration, we will send you a confirmation letter with driving directions and other details. We are unable to provide transportation assistance or shuttle service, however we are happy to try to connect you with other registrants for carpooling possibilities. Please make a note on your registration form to let us know that you would like to ride-share.

• Bring comfortable shoes: The dance space has a concrete floor.
• Bring a separate water bottle for your children, so they can take it to KidCamp outings.
• Also bring, for you and your children: Sun screen, insect repellant, water shoes, rain boots, sunhat, balls, frisbees, kites, simple outdoor toys to share.
• Pets are not permitted at Arnot Forest nor are alcohol and illegal drugs.

The Ithaca Dance Camp is organized by the Ithaca Dance community.

Registration Form

21st Annual Ithaca Dance Camp  June 23 – 26, 2011

Please send your fee and completed registration form to:
David Gallahan, Registrar
511 Spencer Road
Ithaca, NY 14850

If you have questions, please contact the registrar (David Gallahan) at:
phone: 607-342-6205
email: registrar – at- idancepeace.org
mail: 511 Spencer Road
Ithaca, NY 14850
Deadline for registration is June 20, 2011. Due to space limitations, registration will be limited to the first 99 adults. Cancellations: $30 is non-refundable.  Sorry, no refunds after June 20th. Registration information can be e-mailed to registrar (not as a separate attachment, please) or included in mailing.  Receipt of fee confirms registration.

Copy below here and paste into an email, else print and cut below
(a registration form is also part of the flyer).

- – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - -

Registration fees:

Adults (ages 17+)……… $130 – $195 sliding scale per adult (add $25 if registering after June 15th)

Children (ages 4-16)…… $65 – $90 sliding scale per child ($75 – $100 if registering after June 15th)

Ages 3 and under………. Free

Number of adults: _______        List name(s) of adult(s):

_______________________   ______________________   ______________________

Number of Children: _____        List name(s) and age(s) of Children:

Name:____________________ age:____   Name:____________________ age:____

Enclosed is my (our) total Fee of $_________, made payable to “Dances of Universal Peace”

You can contact me at:

email: ____________________________________

Tel #: _____________________

Mailing Address:

_______________________________________________________

…Check everything that applies….

___I may want to lead a dance.

___I will help with KidCamp as follows _______________________ (see 1st page for needs)

___I  [need] /[can offer] (circle one) a ride to/from ________________________________

___I  [need] / [want] a heated cabin because_____________________________________

___I have the following special food needs _______________ (e.g., “vegan,” “wheat free” etc)

___I cannot attend on the following days:

_____________________________________

THIS EVENT HAS BEEN POSTPONED.

When: Saturday, October 23rd, 10am-5pm & 7pm-9pm*
Where: Calvin United Church, 276 Church Street, Pembroke, ON
Cost: $30, or $20 first session only, or $10 evening session only

Please bring a sack lunch and a contribution toward a potluck dinner. Billeting and carpooling can be arranged. For more information, please read the event flyer.

If you are interested in joining us, please contact Qahira by email at: qahira -at- peacedances.org

*and Sunday morning “learning” session for leaders, potential new leaders, and others wanting to learn more about the Dances.