Sweet potatoes are growing in abundance in the CSA garden this year! Last week, the Farm of Peace Children's School students helped dig these plump, golden treasures. They had lots of fun, and as you can see in the photo above, the 'taters are big ones! Amin reports that this is the first year that the CSA planted sweet potatoes, and he's abundantly happy with the harvest. (Although -- a neighbor tells us that decades ago, the family that farmed this land had a secret plot of heirloom sweet potatoes that they cultivated and harvested, but they did not share its location with anyone!)

In addition to the sweet potatoes, the CSA garden currently has 10 rows of potatoes ready to dig. Fall brings back cool-weather crops, including lettuce and greens, along with pie pumpkins and other squash. If you would like to enjoy the fall harvest, there is still space for a couple of members in the fall CSA. Deliveries will continue through the first week in November. See the link below for information and to join.

Amin notes that this summer's garden produced a great variety and abundance of vegetables and herbs. At the same time, there were lessons learned that will help to improve the harvest for next year. It's all part of the experiential learning process! Amin will begin turning over old plants into compost to nurture next year's garden, and in the next few weeks, it will be time to plant garlic for next year's crop.

In the orchard, Maryam Hand has just harvested about 30 pounds of juicy, sweet Asian pears. They are so tasty! If anyone would like to spend some time in the orchard to help prepare it for the winter, Maryam invites you to come and enjoy working in nature in this beautiful fall weather. Tasks include putting collars on the tree trunks to protect them from nibblers, fertilizing, mulching, and preparing beds for grapes to be planted. Please call Maryam at 502-648-1244.

Rifqa Parrino and Mu'min Shay are raising another lot of pastured poultry. This year, about 30 chickens will be used for meals during Sufi School East.

Every day is special for the children at the Farm of Peace school. One day last week, the children collected a whole container full of caterpillars, and deemed it to be "National Caterpillar Day"!

The new school year began this month, with six children and a new teacher, Eddy Rubin. The children are having lots of fun learning together with Eddy. Their studies include math, history, reading, music and arts and crafts, as well learning through exploring nature. The children are also learning Japanese from Eddy's wife, Hiroko. Every day includes lots of fun and play, as demonstrated in the photo here, showing the children and Eddy playing together before starting classes in the morning.

The Farm is a great resource for the children to learn about nature. Eddy and the children have explored life along the stream, dug sweet potatoes in the garden ("We're digging for treasure!" said one of the children), and collected caterpillars for a science project.

Mu'min Shay and the Children's School Circle are deeply gratified with the successful opening of this new school, and look forward to having more children from the area take part in this nurturing educational experience. The school is based on the Reggio Emilia approach. The Children's School Circle chose this method of education because parents feel it allows for weaving Sufi values and teachings into the curriculum with ease, and provides flexibility for teaching. The intention for the school is that it is held in the way of the Love, Peace, Mercy, Justice and Freedom. The teachings are given through Allah's qualities, including from His Compassion and His Generosity.

These weekends are a time when the community comes together for teachings, family fun, meals, some time in service at the Farm, and simpy to enjoy being together. During September's weekend, about 25 to 30 beloveds heard Abdu'Rahim Keeley's talk on practical ways to be in reliance on Allah, and Abd al-Qadir Davies' presentation about the success of his ongoing meetings with local church congregations to promote a dialog about Islam. On Saturday night, kids and adults enjoyed a fabulous bonfire with roasted marshmallows and amazing stories, and on Sunday morning, everyone shared a pancake breakfast.

During the weekend, participants served in a number of ways, including providing building maintenance, gathering firewood and weeding the gardens. The next Community Nourishment & Celebration Weekend takes place Nov. 26-27, so mark your calendar. Remember, lodging at the IPC is free and open to all on a first-come, first-served basis; contact Halima at 717-573-4722 or info@farmofpeace.com to reserve your lodging.

Praise Allah that this community has such a varied and rich diversity of skills and talents. It is important that we encourage each other to contribute in service with what Allah has given us. Keep a lookout in the listserv's correspondence for other Sufi Life ventures, such as music groups, ladies' nights and other supportive activities.

If there is something that you would like to see the community doing to support its members, perhaps Allah is calling you to step up and initiate it. Or maybe you know people who you could encourage to share their gifts with the community by way of holding an activity. The Sufi Life Circle is currently looking for someone to hold a Sidi Study Group once a week, where community members can discuss their interpretations and revelations from different passages in Sidi's books. Perhaps on Sundays before dhikr, so those who live at a distance from the Farm have a chance to join?

From everyone involved in supporting our community members, many thanks and many blessings. Please contact Abd'Allah Houck at anhouck@vt.edu or 703-489-1884 for information or if you would like to participate.

The 10th anniversary of 9/11 has opened opportunities for us to engage more directly with the spiritual communities in our own neighborhood around the Farm of Peace, celebrating the common ground we share in seeking to bring God's love and peace fully into our lives. We have been welcomed and invited to deepen the conversation with several church communities already, helping to clear away the illusion promoted by those behind 9/11 and other recent terrorist actions that Islam in some way condones or justifies such violence, so we can begin to heal the divisions this has created.

Our next workshop, the second in this year's series of four, will be held on October 28-30 at the Farm of Peace. There are a few places open for anyone who would like to join us. We will need to schedule some time in advance (tentatively Sat., October 22 or Thurs., October 27) to review the ground covered in the first workshop to make sure newcomers have enough of a foundation to get the full benefit of this workshop focusing on reconciliation. You are welcome to bring or recommend non-Sufi friends as well. Or if you are interested in joining us for the next full program of four workshops, see our contact information below. We expect to start in the spring, with dates still flexible depending on numbers and needs of those enrolled.

Some comments from participants in our August workshop:

"My husband is learning to listen to me with his heart. It is an amazing thing, having him actually hear me. I've had so many openings and realizations through this simple, powerful process, and it has relieved my husband of the need to 'fix it'." - L.S.

"The Peace Partners Program is on the leading edge of thought and action for living the next phase of evolution on this earth. So simple, yet profound, these tools have the potential to change the world dramatically, starting with ourselves. If you care about peace and have dreamed of a life filled with dynamic love, don't miss this program!" - C.K.

For more information about the Peace Partners program, or to schedule a catch-up session, as well as to register for the next workshop, please contact Abd al-Qadir Davies (240-441-8712) or Jamila Davies (240-441-8715).

The circles function in both a top-down and bottom-up manner - each of the activity-specific circles elects one or two representatives to participate in the broader, managerial circles; each managerial circle sends one manager and elects one other representative to sit on the Circle of Trusted Servants.

For example, the Programs Circle, a mid-level, manager-led circle, coordinates the activities of the following activity-specific circles: Sufi School, Unity Music Festival, Healing Intensive, Children's Programs, New Programs and Workshop Hosting & Rentals. A representative from each of these circles is elected to the Programs Circle. In turn, the Programs Circle elects a member to sit on the Circle of Trusted Servants, along with the Programs manager.

Through the circle structure, and with a commitment to utilizing a consent-based decision-making system that is based in the principles of Dynamic Governance and in the traditional Islamic shura, or consultation, process, our community governance moves forward step by step, in a cohesive, coordinated process. In our form of governance, policies and decisions are proposed, discussed and refined. The process includes asking the circle members for any "principled and paramount" objections. Addressing these objections helps to refine and redefine decisions.

What's unique in our decision-making process is that not only do we consider the facts and implications of the decisions before us, but we also take into consideration the feelings that our hearts express as we consider each decision. We work to clear our hearts of anger, fear and resentment, making them pure containers for the love of Allah, as beloveds on all our circles work to move toward the vision our community has set forth.

The role of the Circle of Trusted Servants is to set policy for the Farm as a whole, guided by the Farm's vision, mission and guiding principles. The circle is responsible for overall guidance on site planning and land uses on the farm. CoTS also reviews reports from the managerial circles to ensure that decisions made by constituent circles are aligned with the Farm's mission, vision and guiding principles.

Some of the issues currently under consideration by CoTS include:

• Establishing an independent nonprofit organization for the Farm of Peace. The Farm is currently a branch of Shadhiliyya Sufi Center, Inc.
• Establishing a process by which the new nonprofit can acquire ownership of the Farm.
• Scheduling another training in Dynamic Governance for the community.

Sweet Potato Biscuits

• 2 small sweet potatoes, peeled & diced (1 pound)
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup whole wheat pastry flour
• 4 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2/3 cup Spectrum organic solid vegetable shortening
• 3 to 4 tablespoons milk

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Bring a medium pot of water to boil. Add sweet potatoes and cook until soft all the way through, about 10 minutes. Drain, mash and set aside.

Mix the flours, baking powder and salt in a large mixing bowl. Add shortening and blend until crumbly. Add the mashed sweet potatoes and 3 tablespoons of the milk. Mix well, adding a little more milk if necessary to make a soft dough.

Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead for 6 to 8 turns. Roll or pat the dough into a 3/4-inch-thick disk. Cut into 12 rounds and transfer to an ungreased baking sheet. Bake until very lightly browned, 12 to 15 minutes. Let rest a few minutes and serve hot.

• The community came together to renew and revise our mission, vision and strategic goals, first established seven years ago.
• There were more than 100 registrations for Salima's Gardens of Truth monthly Sufi schools.
• We hosted two summer camps for young people from Northern Virginia suburbs who came to learn about life on the farm.
• We've introduced virtual programs at the Farm of Peace: we can now produce live videos of our workshops and stream them online.

You can read in detail about the Farm of Peace community's accomplishments in the 2011 Annual Community Report, which describes the activities of all our circles over the last fiscal year (July 2010-August 2011). Please contact us if you would like to receive a copy of this report, which is filled with lots of beautiful pictures. It's a great way to share information about the Farm and our community with your friends and family. Please drop an email to info@farmofpeace.com or call us at 717-573-4722 if you would like to have a copy of the 2011 Annual Community Report.

Gathering wood for the IPC wood stove is a community project! Thanks to all the beloveds who helped in this effort during the last community weekend, including Jamil and Abd'Allah, pictured here. Thanks also to Habib Reineke, Amin Mills, Mu'min Shay and Musa, Rabia, Zuzu, Kyle and Eyrie, who cut, gathered, and stacked more wood.

Many hands helped to care for the International Peace Center recently. Thank you to Salwah Zenhom, who filled in for Maryam Hand for several days. Thanks also to A'aminah Hayes who stayed with us for a weekend to care for the building. Kamila Dinning also helped out, as did Warda Alt. Thank you all!

Rai Haduch and Tina DeLapa visited the farm for a weekend and gave in service caring for the orchard. Thank you! Thanks as well to Isa Konecki, who mowed grass, cut and split wood, and helped moved the pastured poultry. Many thanks also Annette Hall, who cleaned the teaching barn.

Halima Willett, Na'ima Bastress, Mu'min Shay and Latifah Shay cleaned all the school furnishings, equipment and supplies. Thank you all!

We are grateful to all who are making financial donations to help the Farm continue its mission to bring the real love to the world and to care for the creation. For everyone whose heart is called, your donations are most welcome. You may send your check made to "Farm of Peace" to 1212 Haven Lane, Warfordsburg, PA 17267; or call us at 717-573-2956 and we will take your credit card information for your donation. Thank you!

Oct. 23: Free Healing Day in Silver Spring, MD. 3-5 p.m. at the home of Samah and Nuh Ross. Come and learn about and experience Sufi spiritual healing. There's no charge. Call 301-565-7878 to RSVP.

Oct. 28-30: Peace Partners. John Abd al-Qadir and Jamila Davies present the second of four classes designed to bring harmony and peace to relationships. New participants are welcome. Call Jamila at 240-441-8715 for information and to register.

Nov. 2-6: Vibrant Health healing retreat with Dr. Mary Claire Wise. Join Dr. Wise for an intensive in-residence program of healing that includes methodologies of functional medicine, Sufi spiritual healing, complementary bodywork, group teachings and a comprehensive follow-up program. For more information and to register, call Sabura Myers at 646-515-5225.

Nov. 8-9: Foundations of Enlightened Leadership. Presented by David (Nuh) and Jo Ann (Samah) Ross. Accessing inner wisdom to address your leadership challenges. Uncover and embrace your unique leadership qualities and gifts. Designed for organizational leaders in all sectors, including nonprofit, government and private industry. For information, call Jo Ann at 301-565-8071.

Nov. 18-20: Gardens of Truth monthly Sufi School. Join Salima to study the great Sufi masters, sacred alphabet and qualities, Qu'ran and Hadith, Dhikrs and Wirds, whirling, understanding and writing Sidi's teachings, healing, mentoring and more! More information is under "Programs" at www.suficentereast.org. Call 717-573-4722 to register.

Dec. 18-19: Secrets of the Fatiha. Join Dr. Jeanette Hablallah for a weekend of exploring the deep secrets of the Fatiha. Call the IPC 717-573-4722 for information.

Zawiyah Spiritual Retreat: Give your heart the gift of walking more deeply in proximity to God. Zawiyah is ongoing at the Farm of Peace. Call the Farm for information and to register: 717-573-4722.

Dhikr: Sundays, 5:30 p.m. & Thursdays, 7 p.m. Sufi healing circle for healing of body, mind, heart and spirit. All are welcome! (Potluck supper follows Sunday's dhikr.)

Jumah: Every Friday, 1:30 p.m. Gather in community for prayers and teachings from the Qur'an and Sidi's writings.

Salima Healing Seminar. In this individual three-day seminar, Salima offers a unique opportunity for deep healing. You'll receive individual assessments and healings with Salima, and a series of complementary sessions and bodywork. Call the Farm at 717-573-4722 to schedule.

Farm Stay: Enjoy a mid-week getaway in the country. Guests age 16 & older are welcome to stay at the farm (in the IPC) and enjoy the woods, fields and animals in a peaceful, secluded environment, restful and revitalizing in all seasons of the year. Call 717-573-2956 to make your reservations. The Farm of Peace is a member of the Pennsylvania Farm Vacation Association, www.pafarmstay.com.