Ambassadors for a Better World in Seattle

Participants at ROM 2017 from
South Africa, Afghanistan and Moldova

Dear Friends in Seattle,

We would be honored if you could join us in the Room 345, University Presbyterian Church (UPC), Seattle, Tuesday, October 17th, 2017, at 7.00pm for a special "Ambassadors for a Better World" evening of sharing and music.

Mark you calendars now and make sure to come and hear some new reconciliation, transformation and empathy stories shared by Tihomir Kukolja, (ROM) Renewing Our Minds Director and Martha S. Weiss, Forum for Leadership and Reconciliation Chairperson.

Special musical treat and more stories will be provided by Liviu and Camilla Bocaniala from Romania and Norway. Liviu Bocaniala has been serving as the ROM Music Director since 2012. Both, Liviu and Camilla (newly wed) are talented musicians and authors of many songs.

Only a few weeks ago all of us were a part of the 2017 ROM - Renewing Our Minds Gathering of leaders in Fuzine, Croatia - 70 all together, from fifteen countries. Among us were social activists, political and community leaders, founders and directors of various non-governmental organizations, professors, journalists, artists, faith leaders, students eager to make a positive contribution to their societies, and a group of refugees from distant and conflict ridden countries seeking a new home. We will also share about the work of EDI - Economic Diplomacy and Integrity Forum held also in Fuzine, Croatia this summer.

Spread the word, come and bring your friends! 

This is a kind of evening you would not want to miss!

Looking very much forward to seeing you Tuesday evening, October 17.

Tihomir Kukolja

Renewing Our Minds (ROM) Director

Forum for Leadership and Reconciliation Executive Director

Coming Event: Ambassadors for a Better World Seattle 2016

Photo: 

Forum presentation one year ago at UPC, Seattle

Ambassadors for a Better World Seattle 2016, a special program of learning, inspiration and sharing will take place at the University Presbyterian Church (UPC), Geneva B Room, Sunday, November 6, 2016, starting 11.45am.

Martha S. Weiss, Forum President; Tihomir Kukolja, ROM (Renewing Our Minds) Director; Justin Kagin, EDI (Economic Diplomacy and Integrity) Director; Allen Belton, Senior Partner, Reconciliation Ministries; Ken Kierstead, UPC Outreach Director; and Liviu Bocaniala, a well-known Romanian Christian musician will share the latest stories of grace and transformation in the lives of young leaders in Southeast Europe (Balkans) who have encountered Jesus through the ministry of Forum for Leadership and Reconciliation, and its leading projects ROM – Renewing Our Minds and EDI – Economic Diplomacy and Integrity Forum. 

The special highlight of the program will be the sharing of transformational stories of refugees who took part in ROM and EDI gatherings in the summer of 2016. Having a group of refuges integrated in our 2016 summer projects was a mutual blessing to the refugees and everyone attending our leadership gatherings.

A special treat of the program will be the music interpreted by Liviu Bocaniala from Romania. Liviu will share some of his music and music of his close friends involved in the ministry of ROM and EDI over the past years.

We are looking forward to seeing you at UPC, Geneva B Room, Sunday, November 6, 2016, at 11.45am. Invite you friends. Your RSVP will help us to plan the evening even better.

Baklava, Palacinke and Flowers

At the annual Croatian Fest on October 5^th, 2014 at the Seattle Center, the Balkan Task Force (BTF) made and sold 300 baklava, Croatian (aka Turskih) coffee, and hundreds of palacinke (Croatian pancakes).

This is the 5^th year that the BTF had the opportunity to raise funds and communicate with the public about the initiatives in Southeast Europe that it supports, and about Forum for Leadership and Reconciliation (Forum), recently formed non-profit organization involved with the Renewing Our Minds (ROM) ministry, Economic Diplomacy and Integrity Forum (EDI), and other reconciliation and leadership development activities in the region.

All the proceeds go to Forum and the Balkan Task Force. Generous donors provided the cost of ingredients. Many thanks go to all who helped with the baklava, palacinke making and selling.

Many thanks go to the many people who helped at the Balkan Task Force Annual Plant Sale fundraiser on June 7 in the parking lot area of the Wedgwood Presbyterian Church in Seattle. Many thanks to Smith Gardens Nursery in Bellingham for their generous donation of a truckload of beautiful plants for the sale, and to the Wedgwood Presbyterian Church for free use of their space.

Balkan Task force Newsletter, Seattle WA, October 2014.

Meet the FLR Team – Neil and Linda Quist

Neil and Linda Quist from Seattle WA have over the years developed a sincere and profound friendship with the Balkan countries. Neil Quist, who is a board member of the Board of Directors for Forum for Leadership and Reconciliation (FLR), and Linda Quist, Balkan Task Force and Executive Team member of Forum for Leadership and Reconciliation, Seattle WA, explain the reasons for their ongoing and lasting involvement with and commitment to the vision and mission of the Renewing Our Minds (ROM) initiative and the new organization Forum for Leadership and Reconciliation (FLR). Listen also to the webcast Dare to Be the Difference featuring Neil and Linda Quist, Ambassadors of Peace in a Divide World. 

Join us in Seattle WA

Dear Friends in and close to Seattle WA,

Renewing Our Minds (ROM) and Economic Diplomacy Seminar (EDS) together formed a new umbrella organization, the Forum for Leadership and Reconciliation (FLR). Formed in November 2011 in Seattle WA, FLR is now poised to take the Renewing Our Minds (ROM) and Economic Diplomacy Seminar (EDS), now called Economic Diplomacy and Integrity (EDI), to a new level.

FLR builds on the vision of ROM, to advance the Kingdom of God by nurturing international leaders of noble, forgiving, reconciled and serving hearts, and in harmony with the person of Jesus. FLR will pursue its mission through holistic, transformative and relational education, training and mentorship; as well as the advancement of caring and serving communities.

This year, the FLR Board of Directors and Executive Team are focused on establishing a firm and sustainable foundation for future growth, and on three key international events that would bring together up to 200 young leaders from 20 countries in the Balkans and around the world. Those events are Renewing Our Minds Gathering 2012, Economic Diplomacy and Integrity Forum 2012 in Fuzine, Croatia, and ROM/EDI Reunion 2012 in Ohrid, Macedonia.

Join us for the inspiring time of sharing the Balkan stories of conflict, reconciliation and faith, as well as to hear about the FLR vision and objectives for 2012 and beyond. The event is organized and sponsored by Balkan Task Force Seattle, and will take place at the University Presbyterian Church, Calvin Room, 4540 15th Avenue NE, Seattle WA 98105, on Sunday March 18, 2012, 6.00 pm – 7.30 pm. The speakers will be Tihomir Kukolja, Renewing Our Minds (ROM) and FLR Executive Director, and the members of the FLR Board of Directors and Executive Team.

Welcome. Invite your friends.

Tihomir Kukolja

Forum for Leadership and Reconciliation Executive Director

Renewing Our Minds (ROM) Director