M.K. Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence

Online Grief Circle
2021-02-24 12:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | NY
We will be offering online grief circles for the month of February every Monday Evening from 7pm to 8pm EST and Wednesdays from 12pm to 1pm EST. Please join as often as you like.
Come to this space of listening, where what is burdening and wearying your heart will be heard and honored.
“So much harm is happening to us at a collective level constantly. There’s no room to grieve. There’s no room to rest. There’s no room to recover.” -adrienne maree brown
Facilitation:

Rev. Dr. Stephanie L. Sauvé has been a clergy person in the Presbyterian Church U.S.A. for over 35 years. She recently retired from Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School, where she has served for 20 years as a professor and administrator. Stephanie received an M. Div from Yale Divinity School and a D. Min from Colgate Rochester Divinity School.

Dr. Sauvé is a certified Spiritual Director and a trained Conflict Mediator/Transformer.
She leads retreats, offers spiritual direction, and works with faith communities in conflict.
Registration & Cost:
Capacity is limited to 25, please register below to reserve your spot.
In an effort to make our events as accessible as possible, we’ve created a donation-based model, starting at no cost.

Please select one of the three options that works best for your budget.
If you would like to contribute a different amount, choose Option 1, press “next, and then designate the amount on the final summary page.

Thank you for participating and supporting us in being of service to the most people during this time of need.

Nonviolence News Happy Hour
2021-02-26 16:00 - 17:00, 2021-03-26 16:00 - 17:00, 2021-04-30 16:00 - 17:00
Join the M.K. Gandhi Institute and Nonviolence News Editor Rivera Sun and others to explore this week’s Nonviolence News stories. Share your favorite headlines, your burning questions, the most creative tactics, and ideas for taking action in your own community. During this welcoming and low-key online conversation, we discuss nonviolence in small and large groups. We learn from and with one another. Join us!

Each week, Nonviolence News collects and shares 30-50 amazing stories of nonviolence in action around the world. From frontline resistance struggles to bold solutions rooted in nonviolence, these stories show current events and emerging best practices from ordinary people making extraordinary change. Join the monthly Friday Happy Hour to explore the headlines and dig into the stories.

How to join in:
Sign-up
Read this week’s Nonviolence News round-up
Come with a couple stories you’d love to discuss

Who are we?
The friendly and welcoming circle of people who gather for these conversations are both newcomers to nonviolence, and people working in the field. We are humans, neighbors, organizers, educators, and more. You are welcome!

Nonviolence News Happy Hours are a collaboration between many organizations. We serve as a shared space where people in multiple networks can gather to talk about this amazing and wide-ranging thing called nonviolence. We are honored that the Happy Hours are co-sponsored by the following organizations:
Nonviolence News
M.K. Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence
Pace e Bene
Nonviolence International
River Phoenix Center For Peacebuilding

Kingian Nonviolence Introduction Series
2021-03-02 17:00 - 2021-04-06 19:00
The Kingian Nonviolence workshops are transformational experiences that have helped thousands of people from around the world understand the depth of the philosophy of nonviolence, and learn to begin to bring the practices into their lives and their work.
Through small group activities, readings, video presentations, mini-lectures and discussions, we explore topics such as:

The definitions of violence and nonviolence
An analysis of the different types and levels of conflict, and how they escalate and de-escalate
A brief history of the Civil Rights Movement and some of Dr. King’s philosophies
The principles (the will) Kingian Nonviolence, how to view and transform conflict
The steps (the skill) of Kingian Nonviolence, how to engage with conflict and organize a campaign

Whether you are an organizer working for social change, a teacher trying to change the culture of your school or simply an individual trying to deal with the conflicts in your personal life, each person will walk away from our workshops with new skills and a new perspective.
Since September 2020 our staff members Bianca Pointner and Jonathon Jones have been engaging in a Level One Certification Process (through On Earth Peace) and are offering this introduction series as part of manifesting their knowledge around Kingian philosophy, training and organizing. Together with our guest co-facilitator Max Heine we are looking forward to learn, explore and reflect with you. If you have any questions feel free to reach out to bianca@gandhiinstitute.org.

Registration & Cost:
Capacity is limited to 25, please register below to reserve your spot. In an effort to make our events as accessible to as many people as possible, we’ve created a sliding scale, donation-based model.

Pushout Book Group
2021-03-02 18:00 - 19:30
At a time when all of us are facing uncertainty and some are being further marginalized. Join Natasha and Chyna as we explore how systemic racism adversely affects black girls in schools. Get to know the author Monique W. Morris as she places a lens on how we address conflict and punishment in our schools during her 2018 Ted talk linked below. This book group will meet every other Tuesday for 4 weeks.
Monique W. Morris TEDWomen 2018

The Third Harmony Film Screening and Q&A
2021-03-13 15:00 - 16:30
The Third Harmony tells the story of humanity’s greatest (and most overlooked) resource. This resource is nonviolence.

Join Gandhi Institute staff for a virtual screening of the Metta Center’s film, The Third Harmony. Following the screening, participants are invited to join a Q&A discussion with the film’s writer/director, Michael Nagler, and the Metta Center’s Executive Director, Stephanie Van Hook.
About the film:
The Third Harmony explores what nonviolence is, how it looks, and how it works. By interviewing nonviolence experts, activists, and practitioners around the world, the film shows how we can contribute to the growth of ourselves and society by tapping into the power of nonviolence.
The film is just one part of the Third Harmony Project. The other two parts are Michael Nagler’s book and the Metta Center’s board game called Cosmic Peaceforce: Mission Harmony 3.
Registration:
Registration for this event is closed.

Virtual Community Dinner Fundraiser
2021-03-28 18:00 - 19:30
We are partnering with Amaya’s Indian Cuisine to bring back our community dinners virtually. You’ll have the option to enjoy your meal with loved ones and/or jump on zoom to enjoy your meal with Gandhi staff, board, and community members as we fellowship with one another. A percentage of all meals purchased between 4:30-9:00pm on March 28th will support the work of the Gandhi Institute. Make sure to mention the Gandhi Institute when ordering your dinner. We can’t wait to share a meal once again with our Beloved Community!

King and Breaking the Silence
2021-04-04 16:00 - 17:30
In celebration of the last day of the Season for Nonviolence, we are joining in a nationwide series of events to come together and read Dr. King’s Vietnam War Speech of April 4th, 1967. You’ll have the option to join us outside the Gandhi Institute to be a part of the reading, or to watch our Facebook live video.
Join us at the Gandhi institute!:
929 South Plymouth Avenue
Rochester, NY 14608
We will be outside by the mural. Please wear a mask and socially distance! Bring a towel or lawn-chair for seating.
Watch the Live-stream!
https://fb.me/e/1nF1F6ghV

Gandhi Tea Social
2021-04-27 16:00 - 17:00
Grab a cup of tea and fellowship with us as we share with you how we have been able to be in relationship with the Rochester community.

REP meeting (Erin)
2021-05-03 19:29 - 21:29

Garden work party
2021-05-04 11:00 - 13:30, 2021-05-10 16:00 - 17:30, 2021-05-18 11:00 - 13:30, 2021-05-25 11:00 - 13:30

Book Group: Jesus and the Disinherited
2021-05-04 19:00 - 2021-05-25 20:30
Join Jonathon Jones and Kit Miller for this four week series reading a book that Dr. King is said to have carried with him during his last years, Howard Thurman’s Jesus and the Disinherited. This powerful, brief book has made an impact on countless people around the world, including on the staff and programming at the Gandhi Institute.
Join us on Tuesdays starting May 4 through May 25 / 7:00-8:30 pm.

Please consider ordering this book locally through our friends at Hippocampo Books https://hipocampochildrensbooks.com/. If Amazon is your preferred vendor, consider donating to the Institute through their Amazon Smile program https://smile.amazon.com/

Registration & Cost
Capacity is limited to 25, please register below to reserve your spot. In an effort to make our events as accessible to as many people as possible, we’ve created a sliding scale, donation-based model.

Day of caring
2021-05-13 09:00 - 13:00

Mitch's Birthday!
2021-05-16 00:00 - 23:59

Working through Tough Stuff
2021-05-27 18:00 - 2021-06-24 19:30
How many times have you said or heard the phrase “It’s been a tough day/week/month/year”? Many of us have been feeling depleted and low on resilience for many months. The traumas of the pandemic, violence in our communities and in the news, mounting environmental concerns, and many more issues seem to have compounded within us, leaving us struggling to figure out how to cope or if we even want to. While there are many tips for self-care out there, sometimes what we’re really longing for is just a space to process and be together.
Join facilitators from the MK Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence and Creative Wellness Opportunities for a 3-session workshop series. In these sessions we’ll explore readings, podcasts, and art from a variety of sources and practice grounding and healing activities together to help us replenish, build community, and work with some of the tough stuff we’ve been facing.

Embodying Nonviolent Communication for Youth
2021-06-08 19:00 - 2021-06-22 20:00
For many folks, effective communication has never felt harder or more important. Given the challenges our communities have been facing, it can be easy and almost irresistible to disengage from others, rather than talking about what’s really going on and to share a vision of where to go from here. Learning Nonviolent Communication offers one avenue for engaging deeply with ourselves and one another so we’re better equipped to keep doing the work of building a future that works for all.
Join Kit Miller and Guests for a three weeks of exploration and practice in Nonviolent Communication through thought, speech, and embodied practices.
We will explore how to apply this framework through discussions, interactive break-out rooms, & roleplays.
Registration & Cost:
Capacity is limited to 25, please register below to reserve your spot. In an effort to make our events as accessible to as many people as possible, we’ve created a sliding scale, donation-based model.

Garden Work Party
2021-06-14 16:00 - 17:30, 2021-06-28 16:00 - 17:30
We are now accepting volunteers! Due to the pandemic we will be limiting how many volunteers we can have in the garden at a time, to encourage proper social distancing. We ask that you confirm with Alejandra@gandhiinstitute.org or Chyna@gandhiinstitute.org when you plan to help out. See you soon!

Meet Mary Beth/veterans for peace
2021-06-16 18:30 - 21:00

Youth Healing Hate and Earth Altars Celebration!
2021-06-18 16:30 - 18:00

Book Group: The Purpose of Power
2021-07-08 17:00 - 2021-08-19 18:30
Join Bianca Pointner and Chyna Moorehead in exploring Black Lives Matter co-founder Alicia Garza’s transformative book “The Purpose of Power”. This space is intentional for BIPOC only. If you have any questions feel free to reach out to bianca@gandhiinstitute.org
Please consider ordering this book locally through our friends at Hipocampo Books https://hipocampochildrensbooks.com.

Registration & Cost
Capacity is limited to 25, please register below to reserve your spot. In an effort to make our events as accessible to as many people as possible, we’ve created a sliding scale, donation-based model.

540WMain staff retreat
2021-07-15 09:00 - 2021-07-17 17:00

Community Celebration
2021-07-23 18:00 - 19:30
Dance to the Brazilian folk music sounds of Forro Estrelas do Norte, chill in our garden and labyrinth, and eat snacks with us to celebrate our community being able to gather in person again!

No registration necessary, but click the link below for the Facebook event!
