Our Mission:
The Farm of Peace/Shadhiliyya Sufi Center East is a spiritual community dedicated to bringing God's Peace, Love, Mercy, Justice and Freedom to all of creation. We seek to bring peace and healing to individuals and the world by putting into practice the Love at the core of all religions.
Dear Friends,
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Laila keeping cool while her mom helps on the farm.
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The grass is green, the lambs are bouncing and growing, the CSA garden is abundantly producing... a very welcome spring has transformed to summer. The holy month of Ramadan is also here; we have a schedule of special prayers and practices along with our nightly potlucks - all are welcome.
We have confirmed dates for Sufi School East, which will be held Sept. 4-8 this year (the weekend after Labor Day). Registration details will be on our website soon.
We thank all who bought raffle tickets this spring in support of our school, the Olive Branch Learning Center. The children had a successful school year, and Cindy is also running two, one-week day programs this summer, open to children ages 8-13.
We have an update on our abundant garden and other farm happenings from our Farm Manager. Also, we welcome several new faces to the Farm.
Along with warmer weather and and outdoor activities come ticks -- Yaqub Greg Lee spoke here May 2, sharing his expertise in preventing and treating Lyme's disease.
We hope everyone enjoys their summer and hope to see you during Ramadan!
With peace and blessings,
Rifqa Renata Parrino (editor)
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Summer Programs for Ages 8 to 13
Two different one-week day programs are being offered at the Farm, led by our teacher Cindy Pratt and open to all kids ages 8-13: "Everything DaVinci" on July 21-25, and "Outdoor Challenge" on August 11-15. The program runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday. There will be outdoor fun and games, inventing, play, painting, and exploration. Please spread the word to families about the school and the summer programs as a wonderful way to introduce them to the school.
For inquiries or to register for one of the summer programs, please contact Cindy at 814-617-1320 or olivebranchlearningcenter@gmail.com, or Raja at the Farm of Peace: 717-573-4722 or info@farmofpeace.com. Click here for more information and a Summer enrollment form.
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Around the Farm
By Halima Jen Willett
 As the rhythm of farming reflects the turning of the season, we are reaching the peak of abundance and activity, just as the sun is reaching the peak of it appearance in the sky as it sheds light on the plants and an animals that drink from it's golden nourishment. As Allah orchestrates this creation in perfect wisdom and harmony, the natural world moves in accordance to His will. As a farmer, surrender is the wisest choice, as you are but an instrument in His hands to steward the land and support the birthing process; a note in the song and a step in the dance. Mercy shines down in rays of sun and drops of rain and rises up from the soil in unfurling leaves and abundant fruit. The days are long and the work seems endless, however as the tide peaks in the summer, if we enjoy the ride, we can slide into the shores of fall and winter, as Allah knows what we need and provided a time for all the season to offer benefits. Garden Update The CSA program is well on it's way. With the welcome addition of a high tunnel, provided through a NRCS grant, we were able to reap an early harvest this spring, offering CSA members a bonus share one week prior to scheduled delivery. The produce continues to roll in, currently in baskets full of snow peas, spinach, scallions, and beets, to fill nearly 60 weekly CSA shares and a stand at the Berkeley Springs Farmers Market.
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CSA Manager Amin Jesse Mills cultivating rows of basil.
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With the a support team of 3 full time farm apprentices and volunteer support under the leadership of Jesse Amin Mills, the fields are humming with gratitude as the soil receives numerous seeds and is given the oppoturnity to birth healthy plants and endless possibilty for nourishment, as each seed planted continues the cycle of expansion and generosity.
With the generous outpouring of produce that is upon us, we have opened the doors for 20 new members to join us for a peak harvest share beginning mid Summer.
Summer - Fall Peak Harvest Share
16 weeks of delivery
July 19 through November 8 Lamb Update Jamil Bastress, Imam and shepherd, took the lead in lambing this Spring. He was greeted with healthy triplets April 11th at 7:30 am for a gentle and unassisted birth, by the grace and mercy of Allah. His patience and care, along with his deep love of prayer and reliance on Allah, was reflected deeply through the lambing process. Other Farm staff and several volunteers helped Jamil care for the ewes, check for lambs and attend deliveries (from 5 am to 11 pm daily for a month) plus care for a bottle lamb. Twenty five lambs are currently on pasture grazing alongside their moms. In the coming weeks, the lambs will be weaned from mom's milk to green pasture, which they will graze until Fall.
Reservations for fall lamb have already begun. We encourage you to complete a reservation for fall lamb or contact us with any questions early this season, as we have a limited offering on a first come, first served basis.
Top Hat Chickens  The children at the Olive Branch School added new members to the Farm of Peace community. They selected a fun breed of feathered friends, Top Hat (aka Polish) laying hens to raise from day-old chicks as a school project. The children also cleared the brush from an existing coop, repaired the fence, installed a new gate, cleaned the coop and repaired a window, all with the support of their teacher Cindy Pratt.
Now that school has let out for the summer, the chickens are being enthusiastically cared for under the leadership of Kyle Braun. They are a welcome addition to the farm, a great step in responsibility for the children and a fun new stop on the farm tour.
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Olive Branch Learning Center News  Our Olive Branch school for children at the Farm of Peace has completed its regular school year this month with a community celebration and awards ceremony. It has been a delight to see the personal growth and maturing of each of the students, who have also made amazing progress academically over their first year with principal teacher Cindy Pratt. Abdallah Houck has volunteered as our Spanish teacher, so the students are gaining fluency in their second foreign language. The school is currently enrolling students for the 5th through 8th grades for the 2014-2015 school year; click here for more information about the school. We have had generous support from several donors this year to help cover operating expenses and need-based scholarships, and a successful raffle to help raise funds for upgrading school equipment and support on-line learning and research. Najma Breant will be working with us to develop our grant writing program, as we work toward expanding the school next year. And we are working with the Farm toward the goal of having a new bathroom block in place for the next school year.  | | Cindy and students at raffle. |
And the Winners Are ....! A big thank you to everyone who supported o ur school, the Olive Branch Learning Center, by buying raffle tickets! The drawing was held Friday, May 2, and the lucky winners were:
Grand Prize - choice of lamb or CSA half share: Isa Konecki and Maryam Hand Acupuncture Session: Maryam and Amin Whalen Lymphatic Drainage Session: Salima Wendy Schneider Dott Store gift certificate: Salima Wendy Schneider $50 gift certificate to Horn o' Plenty farm-to-table restaurant: Laila Walzer 4 tickets to the Pitt Theater, Bedford, PA: Sharifa Judith Stuhr ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ New Faces
 Zainab Alejandra Gonzalez Viveros, from Tampico, Mexico, just began a 2-month work-study zawiyya. Zainab is a student at USHS and with us during summer break from teaching architecture and interior design at the Universidad Autonoma de Tamaulipas. She began by cleaning the entire lower floor of the teaching barn to prepare it for summer use as our mosque - a big job! Now her focus is on helping keep the IPC clean and tidy as well as minor gardening outside. Her cheerful presence is a welcome addition to the building.
 Rahima Jessica Pasko recently completed her medical training (medical school plus 5 years of residency) - congratulations! After some travels in the Holy Land, she is moving to the area and will be providing both outpatient clinic and inpatient hospital care for adults and children in nearby McConnellsburg. Abdul Rahim David Gosling (not pictured) is also here on long-term work-study zawiyya, mainly working in the CSA garden. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Out and About  The Farm of Peace had an informational booth at the Boonsboro GreenFest last month, showcasing the abundant CSA garden. The CSA also has a booth every week at the Berkeley Springs Farmer's Market.
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Tick Talk at Community Nourishment
Yaqub Greg Lee gave an informative talk about Lyme's Disease during our Community Nourishment weekend in May. He reviewed basic facts about Lyme's and described the many holistic treatments he uses, customized to each person.
There are several kinds of ticks, but only the tiny black deer tick carries Lyme's. Early in the spring, 35-40% of deer ticks are infective; later in the fall, 60-80% can be infective. Ticks can carry 60 other diseases! So how to avoid Lyme Disease, besides staying indoors the rest of your life?
- Sprinkle powdered diatomaceous earth around your yard to kill ticks. Reapply as needed after rain. Available at garden centers.
- Eat raw chopped garlic or garlic pills with active allicin. Garlic repels insects and is also part of treating Lyme's.
- When walking in long grass or brush, wear white clothes and tuck your pant legs in your socks. This makes it easier to see ticks.
- Apply insect repellents. If you don't like DEET, try Natropel brand with only natural essential oils
- Check yourself over and have a good hot bath when coming back indoors. An hour-long soak in hot soapy water may wash off or even drown ticks (but is not guaranteed).
Yaqub practices acupuncture in Frederick, Maryland, where he lives with his wife and two children. His practice focuses on treating people with persistent Lyme's disease and chronic fatigue syndrome.
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Kitchen Favorites
This recipe is adapted from a favorite cookbook, Farmer John's Cookbook: The Real Dirt on Vegetables. It not only has many good recipes, it's fun to read. When the CSA vegetables start coming in, I turn to it frequently. ~ Rifqa
Grated Raw Beet Salad with Fresh Dill and Mustard Vinaigrette Marinating raw beets tenderizes them slightly, transforming their hearty crunch to a delectable tender-crispness. Serve this tangy-sweet salad alone, on lettuce, over cottage cheese, or as an unusual and colorful condiment. You can make the dish a day ahead of time and refrigerate to concentrate the flavor. Serves 6.
 4 medium beets, peeled and coarsely grated (3-4 cups)
½ cup olive oil or grapeseed oil
1 Tablespoon finely chopped shallot, onion or scallion
3 Tablespoons white wine vinegar, lemon juice or rice vinegar
1 teaspoon prepared Dijon mustard (or brown mustard)
1 small clove garlic, minced or pressed
1-2 Tablespoons finely chopped fresh or dried dill
Salt and pepper to taste - Grate beets by hand or in food processor.
- Put the grated beets in a large salad bowl.
- Combine oil, vinegar, shallot, mustard and garlic. Shake vigorously in a screw-top jar or mix in a blender until mixture thickens.
- Pour dressing over beets and toss well. If you are using dried rather than fresh dill, add it now. Season with salt and pepper. Refrigerate for at least one hour before serving (recommended).
- Add fresh dill (if using), toss again and serve chilled.
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Thank You!
Thank you to all who give their time and talents in service at the Farm of Peace.
 Everyone at Community Nourishment weekend who helped clean the building and weed/prune the front landscaping, and Belqis Lynne for telling us what was a weed and what was a native plant. Yaqub Lee for informative talk on Lyme's Disease treatments and donation of 40 lbs of diatomaceous earth to kill ticks on the grounds. Wafa Driscoll, zawiyya teacher. Amin Whalen, Rifqa Parrino and Isa Konecki for helping with lambing checks and daily sheep care. Isa David Konecki for mowing and the IPC and Abdallah Richard Miller for spending several (hot) hours on a Sunday afternoon weeding the grounds. Mimi and Atti N'Diaye for helping out with the CSA booth. Maryam Hand, Isa Konecki, Alyssa and Laila for helping weed and mow the orchard. And anyone who recently helped out and isn't named here.
Our heartfelt thanks also to everyone who supported the school raffle, and who donated to our annual campaign, our building fund and other donations.
We are very appreciative for the generosity of all those who have given their time and resources to support the Farm of Peace. Thank you!
Farm of Peace / Sufi Center East
1212 Haven Lane
Warfordsburg, PA 17267
717-573-4722 (International Peace Center) 717-573-2956 (Farm Operations)
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Upcoming Events 
Ramadan
June 29 through July
Practices, iftar and tarweeh prayers at the IPC daily during Ramadan
Writing from the Heart
with Jamila Davies
June 29 & weekends in July
10 a.m. to 1 p.m. (replaces July 12-13 workshop)
Intro to Medical Qigong with Jamil Rob Bastress August 2-3
with Shaykh Mohammad al-Jamal and other teachers
Sept. 4-8
Medical Qigong Practioner Certification
Contact us at 717-573-4722 to reserve a space in any of the above programs.
Everyone is welcome to our free weekly gatherings listed below.
Dhikr Circle
Sunday dhikr circles are suspended during Ramadan
and will resume in August, 5:30 p.m. with potluck around 7 p.m.
Fridays, 1:30 p.m., Teaching Barn. Gather for traditional Friday community prayer with teachings from the Qur'an and Sidi's writings.
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Qur'anic Study
with Dr. Jeanette Hablullah
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June 29 - July
Ramadan Schedule
Fajr - prayer and practices
6:30 p.m. Quran reading and other practices
Maghrib - break fast, prayer and potluck
Isha - prayer and taraweeh
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Sat. & Sun. only: 10:00 - 1:00, Writing from the Heart by donation
Rooms available (reservation and donation required) Thursday thru Sunday
Details
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Writing from the Heart
with Jamila Davies
Weekends during Ramadan
10 - 1, Saturdays & Sundays
Connect, Share, Heal
Jamila leads these experiential sessions in opening, through spiritual writing, to touch what is deepest in you; to connect, heal, feel and open to the jewel, the pearl, the wisdom you carry. Replaces July 12-13 workshop..
Jamila Vicki Davies is a Sufi Master Teacher (Muqaddim) in the Shadhdhuliyya Sufi tradition. She has taught hundreds of people the art of opening to the deep silence within through a spiritual practice called "remembrance" and using journaling to express their own deepest wisdom.
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Sufi School East
Sept. 4-8
Connect with the Divine
Come drink from the deep love and mercy of our Lord with our guide Shaykh Mohammad al-Jamal ("Sidi"). Teachings daily by Sidi and other Sufi teachers, meals, a night-time prayer retreat, newcomer's program, children's program and more.
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Medical Qigong
This ancient form of Chinese energetic medicine is one of the four main branches of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), along with acupuncture, herbal medicine, and medical massage. Medical qigong is a complete system of medicine that recognizes the root causes of symptoms or disease, and treats the patient as a whole.
Introductory Course
with Jamil Rob Bastress
August 2-3
Robert Jamil Bastress II, Lic. Ac., Dipl. Ac. is the owner of the Integrative Medicine Center, LLC and a National Board Certified Licensed Acupuncturist. He earned a Masters degree at the Traditional Acupuncture Institute in Columbia, Maryland in 1999. He is a graduate of the Jaffe Institute of Spiritual and Medical Healing with a specialty in Spiritual Ministry.
Practitioner Certification Program
with Dr. Isaac Goren and Jamil Rob Bastress
Sept. 12-16
Learn the skills of diagnosis and treatment. Open to all health care professionals and those interested in Chinese energetic medicine.
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Giving is something only the heart can do.
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Please consider what your
heart wants to contribute
to help the Farm of Peace
continue to give to
everyone who seeks spiritual nourishment, a haven for peace, and the real love.
We pray that you receive
many blessings for your giving, knowing that your donation will make a difference in bringing the
message of Peace, Love, Mercy, Justice and Freedom to the world.
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