Dear John,

Join us this Wednesday, February 4th  <[link removed]>as we gather in community to hear about story-telling and the power of awe to inspire hope, even in the darkest of times. 

I think we all have memories of telling and hearing stories. Perhaps you have memories of parents and grandparents yarning around a dinner table, or counselors telling fireside stories at summer camp. Perhaps you've spent time sitting with friends and sharing vulnerabilities through the lived experiences of those gathered. I know that I come away from gatherings where others shared of themselves in this way feeling closer to the people in my life as well as enriched by feelings of empathy, awe, and emotional aliveness.

Such gatherings are an essential form of connection and trust-building, as old as language itself. When true community feels hard to come by, intentional gatherings that feature shared stories requires vulnerability and trust, binding us together with the glue of friendship, common ground, and connection.

In our next Local Peace Economy gathering <[link removed]>, we will welcomeMatthew Rudnicki, the founder of “My Dentist's Son,” a story-telling circle in Vermont that focuses on stories that “don't fit” – those that sit outside of consensus reality and give us glimpses into what might be possible.He will share with us what he has learned from starting this circle, and offer us opportunities to share our stories with each other.



Thank you to all of you who joined us for our last Local Peace Economy Gathering on January 21st <[link removed]>. In this gathering, we discussed the concept of "pivots." Being able to see clearly the War Economy habits we all carry, and then consciously moving toward the creative and connective, is how we will seed our collective future and the future of the coming generations with the peace we all desire. 

Mark Your Calendars: The on-going writing workshop <[link removed]> is a monthly place to connect with other creative souls. Read aloud works of poetry or prose in a supportive environment of your peers. This meeting is the 2nd Thursday of the month. Sign up for February's workshop, and bring your creativity to a warm and supportive group of fellow peace economy advocates.



UPCOMING Local Peace Economy Gatherings:

- Register for the LPE Writing workshops from February through April of 2026 <[link removed]>.



Other supportive resources:

- Local Peace Economy Wiki <[link removed]>
- Local Peace Economy Padlet — add <[link removed]>yourself and see who is near you! <[link removed]>
- Video introduction to the workbook <[link removed]>
- Download The Local Peace Economy Workbook (free digital version) <[link removed]>
- Purchase The Local Peace Economy Workbook (physical copy) <[link removed]>
- The Local Peace Economy website <[link removed]>
- CODEPINK Radio Ep. 242: The Local Peace Economy <[link removed]>
- CODEPINK Radio Ep. 256: What is the root of peace? <[link removed]>

We hope to see you this Wednesday, February 4th! <[link removed]>

<[link removed]>RSVP Here <[link removed]>



With care,

Jodie & Marie

P.S. Our most recent Local Peace Economy Substack <[link removed]> is a personal look at the community at work in Minneapolis, resisting and mourning amid the on-going and intensifying crisis on the ground. If you do not yet subscribe to the Substack, we urge you to join us. There are many essays and reflections there that illuminate the joy, beautify, and presence of the Peace Economy in communities all over the country. 



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