Living "The Beloved Community"

A Summit on Rising Hate Crimes in New England

April 14 - 16, 2023

Dear New England friends, families, and colleagues:

Hate crimes are on the rise all across New England. We invite all who believe in the oneness of humanity to a summit at Green Acre in which we will educate and empower ourselves, heal the rifts created by hate crimes in New England, and build the Beloved Community. Unity of action, outreach to all, and citizenship responsibility are keys to a spiritually-based approach to community-building.

The Summit will provide opportunities for adults, youth and children to explore what a hate crime is: socially, legally, spiritually and ethically. We’ll look at relevant data about what’s happening where we live through ‘heat maps’ on hate crimes in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut.

Sessions will provide space for sharing experiences, tangible mechanisms to respond as individuals and groups, and numerous other connections and resources. We hope our joint efforts will generate new networks of cooperation to implement in your family gatherings, neighborhoods, workplaces, social circles, and at all levels of education—primary to higher (including bullying that stems from bias). On Saturday night, we have the special opportunity to enjoy a Night of Poetry with Theatre for the People.

We will circulate a questionnaire prior to the summit to gauge prevalence and awareness of hate crimes in our region. We’ll share that information with you at the summit.

Friday, April 14, 2023

Dinner at Green Acre (overnight guests only)

Saturday, April 15, 2023

Morning: Green Acre welcome; Blessing from Wabanaki, the People of the Dawnland, Devotions; “How we gather”: Introduction to the Talking Circle; Heat Maps / what’s happening where we live

Afternoon: Separate workshops for adults, youth and children; Ingathering (report back)

Evening: A Night of Poetry with Theatre for the People

Sunday, April 16, 2023

Morning: Devotions; Roundup, networking, next steps; Closing Blessing & gratitude circle for open testimonials

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Note: You may wish to join us for the weekend, one or two nights, or only for the Saturday sessions. We plan to provide a Zoom option for remote participation (stay tuned). Register for the summit and for meals and accommodation at the link below: For more information contact Dr. Robin M. Chandler at [email protected] or call 857-212-6890.

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Co-sponsored by the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the City of Boston & R. M. Chandler Consultants, LLC