Renewal of Commitment
The movement encourages it’s members to renew their commitment by groups in the areas where they live, but once a year, usually in December, selected members, alumni, staff, friends and other members of Silsilah family are invited to a weekend of prayer and reflection at Harmony Village to be renewed in the spirit of the Silsilah vision-mission.
The event culminates with a ritual of renewal of commitment for those participating, for renewed conviction and energy to live and work for dialogue and peace.
The Silsilah Forums are encouraged to duplicate the same Renewal of Commitment ritual in their respective areas using the same theme and material since it is not possible for all of them to come to Zamboanga City.
Rationale:
Every member of a family looks forward to a homecoming especially for important occasions. The Silsilah family maintains a tradition of gathering its members to bring home the point that “we are family... bonded together by our deep desire and dream for PEACE through commitment to DIALOGUE.” We come together to share presences and stories, mutual exchanges of joys and pains, successes and failures, inspiration and challenges – and bring all these experiences to prayer in the presence of God who is the Source of Dialogue and Peace.
The core values that empower the Silsilah Vision-Mission are: HOSPITALITY, OPENNESS, PRAYER and EXPERIENCE (HOPE). For the last three years we have deepened PRAYER (2005), HOSPITALITY (2006), OPENNESS (2007) and EXPERIENCE (2008).
We recall the circumstances when we were led to the Movement. We recall the moment when we got in touch with Silsilah’s Vision-Mission and felt attracted to it. We remember the people who helped us sustain this attraction. We recall the events that led us to make some kind of commitment to live a life-in-dialogue. We recall the many joys and pains; the many successes and failures; the inspirations and challenges. Most important, as we gather all these experiences, we consider how these changed us and made us better, more loving persons. How can we contribute to the growth of our Silsilah Family as we journey toward the next 25 years?
As we come home to ourselves and to one another, let us echo in our hearts the theme of Silsilah’s 25th Anniversary of Foundation:
“Magpadayon! Let Us Move Together Towards
Love of God and Love of Neighbor!”
Objectives:
To provide a conductive and supportive atmosphere of welcoming and coming home among the members, friends and partners of the Silsilah Family.
To provide a venue for sharing of experiences in concrete living out of a life-in-dialogue as envisioned by Silsilah Vision-Mission.
To gather with gratitude the transforming experience of being a member of the Silsilah Family as we grow in dialogue with God, with self, with others and with the whole of Creation.