[widgetkit id=”143″ name=”2017 Breakfast Forum for UN IDP”]
Crownsville, MD –Together We Can Bring Peace was the title of a peace breakfast forum in observance of the United Nations’ International Day of Peace, co-sponsored by the Maryland Governor’s Office of Community Initiatives and The Universal Peace Federation of Maryland, and led by Ms. Jennifer Gray, Director of Interfaith Outreach for the Governor and Mrs. Tomiko Duggan, Director of UPF-US, DC office.
The gathering on September 28th, at the Maryland Government office for Community, offered breakfast and endless coffee before the six-person panel began their comments on the assigned topics.
Jennifer Gray welcomed the 40 guests to the ground-breaking gathering of interfaith leaders. Dr. Manon Gurley offered the invocation and the four women and two men who addressed the individual question each was given by Ms. Grey.
First to speak was Dr. Homayra Ziad, a scholar at the Institute of Islamic, Christian and Jewish Studies in Baltimore. Her question was: What are the values and ethical foundations that are common to all religions? She began talking about the need for deep self-knowledge and that in Islam it is important to know oneself and bear witness to one’s religion through service. She said that each person will come to face God in one’s life, and at that “primordial moment, we carry the immortal spirit, which is God.” From this experience, we strive to seek higher self-knowledge which is a gift from the benevolent God. She said it is difficult to be a moral steward in our life, but through ethical involvement in the world we bear witness to what is good and bear witness to the injustices of the world. She said diverse voices in advocacy become allies with a firm hand of friendship for all.
Rabbi Batya Steinlauf, Director of Social Justice and Inter-Group Initiatives, at the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington, DC, was given the question: What would it take for the world to be more peaceful? She spoke on the realization that during Yom Kippur each person must resolve their problems with others, then come before God and resolve and repent for one’s own sins; but that the list of sins given by Judaism isn’t just what the individual has committed, but that each person is part of a community and we are responsible for the sins of the community as well, because we are part of a group, and not separate. We must own our role as an individual within the community. She said if we can create a community of individuals who realize what a community must do – strive for justice, which then leads to peace and the truth can be realized. We should all honor the dignity of each human being, thus honoring God’s creation of each person. If we disrespect a human being, we disrespect God, as we all are in His Image. She concluded, “We should say this out loud because silence implies consent to a wrong thing.”
The third speaker was Reverend Doctor Carletta Allen, the lead pastor at Asbury United Methodist Church in Baltimore. She answered the question: The problems confronting the world are too great for each religious community to work in isolation; what universal actions can religious communities take for human rights. She started by saying that we cannot work in isolation and expect things to change. How a religion is used in society determines how things go. She is an ecumenist. “We all should do less talking about the things that divide us and more on how we can be together as friends,” she said. If we work together to do something, it is an organic experience. We should come together to work on ‘hospitality’, meaning on migration and immigration. “We have allowed our religious traditions to be highjacked by the patriarchy aspects of society resulting in bad practices and unhealthy agendas,” she stated, and continued, “Only love manifested can save us.” She said we need to “re-radicalize our youth for truth, love, and justice.” She encouraged the audience to, “Welcome all others, we all are images of one God. We should help beyond religions, respond to humanity’s needs – together.” She concluded with, “There is no greater action than to value each and every human being.”
The fourth speaker was Ms. Nadia S. Hassan, founder, and director of the Young Leaders Institute. She was asked: Would people need to change how they think, for the world to be peaceful? Her immediate answer was, “yes, of course.” She said we need to teach young people how to think about others in order to reach their own potential and reach one’s best true self. This is the work she does at her institute. She stated, “Everyone needs critical thinking skills and reconciliation skills. Thoughts become words, which are followed by actions which invariably creates the character you have.” She added that it is important for parents to teach their children that it’s possible for others to be correct, even though you think you are correct. She cited the Koran c. 13.v. 11, where it states that God does not change the condition of a people unless they change what is in themselves. She said, “we should be the change we want to see.” Poverty, oppression, wars, and injustice occur all over the world, but we must, as Michael Jackson sang it, “begin with the man (or woman) in the mirror.” She quoted the speech title of UPF co-founder, Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon, by saying, “Peace begins with me. I must think, speak, and live peace,” she concluded.
Rev. Medgar L. Reid, DD, followed the four women speakers mentioning the main point of each speaker’s comments. He is the Director of Spiritual Care and Chaplaincy Services. He answered the question: World peace originates with inner peace; how can we better live together as part of the human community? He asked the audience, “How can we better live with ourselves? We are not ‘human doings’ but ‘human beings’.” Because we are here on this earth, we deserve dignity and respect. Unfortunately, even though human rights have improved, it is also violated, we are out of sync. “Mindfulness is the key,” he said. We have all been conditioned by the media and society even in the womb, up to age seven we are impressed with false realities. He continued saying, “When you are mindful of who you are, and mindful of who you belong to (God), your collective thoughts and heart cause the world around you to coalesce, we shouldn’t just rely on our intellect. We should elevate our sense of spirituality and consciousness and your presence will automatically elevate all those around you.” He shared the seven points that guide his life and that he encourages others to follow as well, BRASSRI:
Belonging: Each person needs belonging, we need to belong to something to someone, and we get ideas and actions from others. It is a driving force, ‘I am here because I belong.’
Respect: Each person desires to be respected for who they are, authentically. No feigned respect to get something from him. Genuine respect comes from just being human.
Appreciation: Each person wants to hear affirmative words, from your father, your uncle, your spouse.
Success: The man or woman in the mirror is determined, and looks within to see ‘what is the desire of my heart?’ We need to define what is my success, not the definition of someone else.
Safety: Each person wants to live in safety, not in a constant and stressful “fight or flight” situation; a situation of constant fear.
Romance: Each person desires real romance, and not necessarily with another person. A walk in nature can be ‘romantic’ to the individual, it means to take a break, take time away from stress to re-group and re-energize.
Inspiration: We all need to be inspired, this doesn’t mean motivation which has a negative connotation. Inspiration is positive and fills us with energy. Recently I did my first marathon, 26.2 miles, inspired by a friend. I call it, ‘Fat guys run too!’
In conclusion, he said, “Hurting people hurt people, be always mindful of our inner voice and try to be at peace within ourselves.”
The final speaker of the day was Mr. Tom McDevitt, Chairman of the Washington Times, who responded to the question: Vision for the future; what strategies can be developed to transform structures of violence into structures of sustainability and peace” He began by saying, “Having vision and strategy is very important to my life and work.” He commented that “This is a sacred space, with the presence of this five great-people and their words spoken, are sacred.” He commended the organizers for making a remarkable program. He said, “We should hold this kind of meeting in each county, town, and area.” He also said we should identify the important strategies, this meeting is one good strategy. He reported on another great strategy, the International Association of Parliamentarians for Peace, which was founded by Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon, founder of UPF and the Washington Times. By gathering parliamentarians together in dialogue, many good strategies and the sharing of good insights can be done. The next conference will be in Africa. He stated that four points are necessary:
People need to congregate, meet each other and discuss important content.
Thought leadership is needed, training necessary and growth will follow, we need to get the content out to the greater society.
Collaboration is essential, we make a mistake thinking that the government is the only solution, it is needed, but we also need a multi-sector input, from the media, faith community, corporate and private groups.
Vision is needed. The strategy supports both a vision and a goal. We need a common vision to work together for peace. Mind and body unity, peace ‘begins with me.’
It is also essential that we support and focus on the family. The family is where the important values can be learned.
He praised “Mother Moon” when she spoke at the Kennedy Caucus Room, at the Dirkson Senate Office building in December of last year. She boldly started her comments with, “Human beings alone cannot solve the problems of the world. We need God‘s guidance to solve the horrific problems of the world.” He urged the group to find ‘like-minded people in your own zip code to create a group to work with.’
A lively question and answer session showed that the members of the audience were both moved by the speakers’ comments, but also wanted to know “what is next.” One answer came from Tom McDevitt who said, “Let’s do this again, county by county, city by city, village by village. I will assist in this process.”
An Ambassador for Peace appointment ceremony followed, led by Susan Fefferman, AFP director, and Tomiko Duggan. Ms. Jennifer Gray, Ms. Nadia Hassan, and Bishop Keith Allen and his wife, Paulette Allen were all commissioned to be Ambassadors for Peace.
Mr. Steve McAdams, Executive Director of the Governor’s Office of Community Initiatives thanked everyone for attending and encouraged everyone to work together with the state offices of Community Initiatives. Many conversations and the exchange of many business cards followed the invigorating program.
Mrs. Jennifer Gray loved the podium sign, “Peace Starts With Me” so much and requested UPF to leave it with her. She said the sign, “Peace Starts With Me” will be placed on my office door from now on.
Contributed by: Tomiko Duggan, Executive Director, UPF Washington DC
Omaha, NE – The Omaha Chapter of the Universal Peace Federation (UPF) discussed the topic of refugees and their plight during the International Day of Peace 2017 with the theme: “Together for Peace: Respect, Safety, and Dignity for All”.
The Interfaith Prayer Breakfast celebration was held on Saturday, September 23rd at the Omaha Wedding Chapel, a lovely event space that was donated for the meeting by Chaplain Royal Carleton.
Ms. Theresa Tsubaki, the executive director of the UPF Nebraska started the program with introductory remarks briefly outlining the core values of UPF.
The International Day of Peace ceremony began with leaders from three diverse faith traditions representing Hindu, Catholic, and Unificationist offering heartfelt prayers for peace.
As everyone is enjoying a delicious breakfast, Mr. Joe VanTrimmell, a social worker with the Omaha Public Schools gave insight into the difficult and often confusing transition many refugees face and engaged the audience in a lively roundtable discussion on ways we believe we could help the people in our community.
Mohammed Sahile, a former Afghan translator for the United States Army and now a refugee because of death threats, shared his deep love and gratitude for the US and expressed his sorrow over leaving his country. He desires to return to his homeland someday. Everyone was moved by his testimony and we realized what a tragedy is unfolding in real time which sets the stage for final comments.
One guest shared his experience reaching out and lending a helping hand by funding one persons’ education. “Just help one person, give a hand up to one family. If we all started doing just one, that would help many people.”
Las Vegas, NV – The monthly Peace Forum was held on September 19th at the International Peace Education Center, to celebrate the International Day of Peace with the topic “Peace Starts With Me”. Mrs. Leslie Rigney, Executive Director of UPF Nevada welcomed seventeen (17) guests including 3 panelists. Significant guests included Marvin Gawryn, Executive Director of Interfaith Council of Southern Nevada, Manouchehr Mohammadi, leader of students for democracy in Iran, Aimmee Kodashian, author and motivational speaker, Sofia Schersei, Assistant Director to Camp Anytown, Nevada, Jerushia McDonald-Hylton, founder of AfricaCry and Women With a Vision International.
A beautiful opening prayer was given by Rev. Doo, Pastor of Las Vegas Family Church (FFWPU) followed by an Introduction to UPF by Mrs. Rigney. She showed the UPF Video and the first part of the Peace Principles. Comeisha Monica Lenoir was the moderator for the panel. Each person speaking about “Peace Starts With Me”.
Akira Watanabe, the Director of CARP Las Vegas, started the discussion with a passionate expression of the value of family and love of parents. He read a passage from Father’s Autobiography “What I learned when being carried on my father’s back.” He highlighted how important parental love is to the students he meets and how sad when there is separation. He hopes very much to be a good father to his children, and in this way, have peace start with him.
Sofia Schersei expressed her angst at growing up as a refugee from Afganistan, by way of Germany. She expressed appreciation for her religion of Islam, that it teaches love for family, the value of service and peace (she said anyone who does not live by peace is not Muslim). She said the service to others led her to meet Camp Anytown, which helped her immensely in accepting herself as an Afgan-American Muslim woman. She spoke of Camp Anytown, a project of the Interfaith Council of Southern Nevada. She said the camp can truly change young peoples’ lives, helping them to love themselves and to love others. She also is starting an Interfaith Youth group in Las Vegas. She said peace starts with her thru service.
Jerushia McDonald-Hylton spoke of the painful challenges of growing up in Las Vegas as not only partially white and partially African-American, but also as being moved by her mother to an all-white neighborhood, which meant she was harassed by both races. Jerushia spoke of her choice to overcome persecutions and to love others. She came to feel her power as a woman to help create a better world, by empowering women in the USA and also in Africa. Her conviction is that women hold the key to a better world because they are central to the love in a family and in a community. Jerushia expressed how significant it is that Rev. Moon chose Las Vegas as the place for the ‘Peace Palace’, and that out of the desert, God can do great things! She said peace starts with her by overcoming prejudice and helping others to overcome and have pride in who they are as a child of God.
Two people were appointed Ambassadors for Peace: Akira Watanabe and Sofia Schersei. They were both very appreciative.
The participants were a great blessing to everyone present. Because of the sincerity of the panelists, there was much heartistic sharing, following the talks.
Participants and panelists had opportunity to share upcoming events: Interfaith Council having Fall Forums and Interfaith Thanksgiving Celebration, Aimmee Kodashian speaking about “Overcoming Fear with Faith” September 30 with Women’s Federation, Jerushia attending a big event with women in Washington, DC, October 5th thru October 10th and her own event locally, October 15th.
Jerushia said “Let’s make Las Vegas the center of healing for the nation!” Comeisha Monica was very inspired. She said “Next time, we’ll fill the room!” Leslie Rigney could feel how much Heavenly Parent worked to bring this event about, and did wish that more could have heard such great talks.
[widgetkit id=”142″ name=”2017 LV July Peace Forum”]
Las Vegas, NV – The Universal Peace Federation (UPF) Las Vegas held a peace forum at the Collegiate Association for the Research of Principle (CARP) Learning Center on Thursday evening, July 27th. Eleven guests were welcomed by five UPF members and five CARP members who had just returned to Las Vegas. A light supper and refreshments were served as people became acquainted and reacquainted.
Mrs. Leslie Rigney of UPF Las Vegas welcomed all guests and participants. CARP members participated by leading the pledge of allegiance and the prayer. An introduction about UPF, including a video and a slide show on some of the peace principles, was given by Mr. James Rigney. A distinguished panel, including Deandre McGee, a millennial African-American activist and motivational speaker, Dr. Reeta Thukral, a medical doctor who founded and leads a non-profit that tutors at risk youth, Mrs. Aimmee Kodachian, an author, motivational speaker and survivor of the Lebanese civil war, was moderated by Ms. Claytee White, who leads the Oral History Project at UNLV.
The topic of the Panel was “Creating Community Beyond Race and Religion”. A very lively and passionate discussion included some interesting points: The need and value of good family life which gives support, direction and good example to children; that we need to be aware that we are our brother’s keeper, and need to support young mothers, educate and support parents, especially supporting young fathers, as well, and care about those in pain and suffering. One panelist emphasized the need to be non-judgmental of others, another emphasized the need to evaluate ourselves in each situation, that we can only change ourselves, but can lead with love and compassion, and listen to others. Comments were also entertained from the guests. Two police officers from the Office of Community Engagement spoke about their appreciation of the variety of cultures in our community and the need to listen and hear their story. Many spoke about what a ‘Melting Pot’ of cultures that Las Vegas represents, and what we do here can affect the nation and the world!
Following the panel presentation, was an informal sharing and conversation, with many new connections and friendships forming.
Future events include an American Leadership Conference on September 18, from 9:30AM-3PM and a Peace Forum on September 19, from6-8PM.
Sacramento, CA – On May 13, 2017, the Universal Peace Federation – Sacramento (www.upfsac.org) held a breakfast event at Sacramento Valley Family Church (SVFC) to explore the value and challenges to marriage in American society and to explain Marriage Blessing as an important solution. Seven members of SVFC, two clergies from the American Clergy Leadership Conference, and three first time guests participated. The format allowed for lots of discussion time.
Video presentation 1: Welcome & Introduction to UPF
Presentation 1: Review of Five UPF Core Principles for Peace and presentation of marriage as the way to fulfill our lives and reflect the masculine and feminine aspects of God.
Discussion 1: What is the value and benefits of marriage?
Presentation 2: Challenges to marriage with statistics on marriage rate and current attitudes toward marriage.
Discussion 2: What are ways we can promote marriage in our culture?
Presentation 3: Blessing of Marriage as a spiritual solution to the underlying problem.
Introduce the idea of making spiritual conditions (prayer, fasting) to accomplish spiritual change that affects life. Frame Marriage Blessing as a type of spiritual condition – independent of any particular church or religion – that can bring change in the world.
Video Presentation 2: Blessing America Video with additional video clips from Blessing ceremonies around the world (taken from Peace TV weekly announcements).
Presentation 4: Introduction to 6 stages/ levels of participation in the Blessing of Marriage. Each is linked to an underlying spiritual problem.
Holy wine/juice ceremony – an affirmation that marriage is important and your commitment to lift it up. Addressing lack of support for marriage.
Rededication ceremony – special ceremony of rededication my marriage for a higher purpose – becoming more public-minded less self-centered
Making a financial contribution – money issues often cause conflict in marriage.
Chastening ceremony – domestic violence very real problem in many marriages
40-day sexual abstinence – self-control, reinforcing fidelity
3-day ceremony – consummation of love with God.
The participants were invited to attend participate at first level and build a movement in Sacramento.
Seattle, WA – A great group of 21 persons gathered together on Thursday, the 23rd of March for the monthly forum. The title of the forum was “What the World Needs Now”, with the subtext of looking into the concepts and ideas contained in the first of the UPF Principles of Peace lectures: A Vision for Peace
After an excellent dinner coupled with sharing at the table, participants introduced themselves around to get to know each other better, at least by name plus some tidbit about each person. Soon thereafter the group drove “heart-first” into the presentation. The presentation was based on the original content developed by UPF National HQ including modified versions by Mrs. Peggy Yujiri of UPF Colorado. The goal was not to educate exhaustively but to hit the main ideas contained in the presentations. Using present approaches of modern media, which flashes images on-screen, the presentation lasted only for 30 minutes.
Following the presentation was the discussion, exploring some of the points from the presentation. After which two persons, Dr. Mary O’Neil, a local Christian pastor and activist, and Ms. Priyanka Handa, who works, including volunteer work, at the University of Washington Dentistry Clinic, were appointed as new Ambassadors for Peace.
Contributed by: Raymond McCready, Executive Director, UPF Washington
San Juan, P.R. – As part of the interfaith harmony week, UPF Puerto Rico visited the Jewish Reform Congregation Beth Shalom, the Islamic Center of Puerto Rico and the Padmsambha Buddhist Center. The experience helps them understand that all of the faiths are commonly longing for peace.
On February 3rd, the third UPF Conference took place with the theme: “Dialogue and Reconciliation for a Culture of Peace”, on the facilities of IYTA Wellness & Health Center. UPF partnered with IYTA Wellness & Health Center and Connecting Paths P.R.
Isabel Rodriguez Cintron, President of IYTA Wellness & Health Center and an Ambassador for Peace, opened the event. She said referring her yoga Master Serge Raynaud de la Ferriere in the Great Messages: “There are no incomplete religions, there are no incomplete leaders, there is only difference in the rituals, and they all have the same common basis”
Pastor Antonio Grillo Torres, Ambassador for Peace gave the invocation, after which, Conchita García, Executive Director for UPF PR, welcomed the guest and read the UPF’s Statement on Interreligious Dialogue and also presented a video on UPF-related observances of World Interfaith Harmony Week. Later on, the life water ceremony was held.
Four panelists were invited to talk about the theme. Among them is Willian Torres Pagan, a priest from the order of St Francis of Assisi and Vicar of Ecumenism of the Archdiocese of San Juan. Under the leadership of the Archbishop of San Juan, he mentioned Psalm 71. He noted that Pope Paul VI was the Catholic Church precursor of the First World Day of Peace in January 1968. In his speech, he called the “Harmony of all the voices of the world. Peace is the only line and true of human progress…“He warned of the danger of believing that international controversies cannot be solved by the paths of reason, that is to say, negotiations founded on law, justice, equity, but only by those of the frightening forces and deadly”... In his own words, he said: “today in the twenty-first century God is one and triune.” There is a growing need to educate people in the path of peace because peace unites us. Finally, he recited the prayer of St. Francis of Assisi, “Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. That wherever there is hatred, give me love”
Another speaker is Rev. Angel L. Rivera, Director of IYTA Wellness & Health Center and an Ambassador for Peace. He mentioned that yoga brings us to peace. “There is peace in air that we breathe; there is peace in the seas, in the sun, in the fruits that feed us there is peace. The peace of the individual will be true peace and the philosophy of yoga seeks to discover the thought of peace of each individual beginning from my body, the desire to make the other image a new person.” He shared that the divine laws are the supreme energy of God and there is the necessity of reeducating humanity. The misuse of the natural resources that the Creator gave us needs to be addressed.
The third panelist was Juan Jose Santiago, a Jesuit priest. He lived for twenty years outside of Puerto Rico and in five different countries. From a catholic mother and spiritualist father, at the age of 16, he felt the vocation of being a Jesuit, his father did not understand his decision well but he gave him his blessing. He mentioned that Jesús is the light that enlightens every man. He talked about St. John of the Cross, in everything there is a flash of light. About the Amazon tribes, we call them primitive but we have to learn from them in many aspects, like respect for nature. He also dwells on wisdom. He said, “A wise man is the one who has tasted life but today we have fast foods, cell phones, and can we communicate with some in Australia, but we do not communicate with our neighbor, with the people who are closed to us.” He encouraged the audience to pray twice a day where in the morning time pray for the people we love and at night to have a ” communion of saints”. He was always in favor of interreligious dialogue and has different experiences through his life.
And the final guest speaker was Antonio Grillo Torres, an evangelical pastor and an Ambassador for Peace. He explained that he came from a dysfunctional family. At the age of sixteen he left home and enlisted in the army, he was deployed in Korea. He lived in New York and was part of a youth gang. By then there were 139 youth gangs in the Latin Quarter and had to defend himself. From there he gave his life to Jesus. He met his wife and created a family. He has 3 children; two of his daughters are pastors of a church in Puerto Rico and in Los Angeles, CA. He referred to the Sermon on the Mount as a reflection for peace. “Spiritual peace, peace with God… there is no peace outside of Christ, the inner peace that we, men and women of God, all need is with Jesus who is the Prince of Peace. We have all been called by the Prince of Peace to make peace”. He lived in violence on the streets of New York, but he met the Prince of Peace and his life changed radically.
Mabel Lassalle, President of Connecting Paths, P.R. and an Ambassador for Peace, was the moderator during the panel discussions.
Conchita Garcia closed the program and conveyed some words from Dr. Moon about the role of the religions to build peace: “Peace will never come to this earth unless we first tear down the walls between religions. For thousands of years, religions have grown in alliance with particular ethnic groups, and so they are surrounded by high cultural walls. Tearing these down is an extremely difficult task. For thousands of years, each religion has surrounded itself with such high walls using God’s name in activities that had nothing to do with his will. The will of God lies in peace.”
The priest, William Torres, gave the closing prayer. Even in a small group of nine people, there was a feeling of fraternization, a desire for dialogue and goodwill. The forum ended with more sharing and snacks.
Contributed by: Conchita Garcia, Executive Director, UPF Puerto Rico
Seattle, WA – Many gathered together on Thursday, September 22, 2016, at the Windermere Mansion to celebrate the 34th UN International Day of Peace. During the dinner, described as a sharing of “food for peace”, attendees introduced themselves, creating closer bonds of heart among them. It is noteworthy to mention that attendees came from four nations on two continents plus one island nation and also represented a diversity of races. It was a meeting representing the greater family of mankind.
The main speaker was the Executive Director of UPF for Washington state, Ray McCready. He began with a reading posted from the event on September 21 at the United Nations, followed by a powerpoint presentation highlighting points from a talk on the UPF Principles of Reconciliation. He said, “Without reconciliation, any efforts for peace will be mostly superficial, and so we must address the underlying causes of conflict and deal with them through Godly love for others”.
Ms. Lavanya Reddy of the Srimanirama Educational & Cultural Foundation led the group in a meditation on peace, seeking to help everyone feel connected to the source, the Creator. This created a good spiritual atmosphere, which ushered everyone onto the large deck overlooking Lake Washington, where a circle was formed and altogether offered prayers for peace to support this important internationally recognized day and the efforts to advance the establishment of peaceful families and communities in the world.
Judging by the buzz of conversation after the prayers, everyone felt quite uplifted and energized to work more for peace going forward.
Contributed by: Ray McCready, Executive Director, UPF Washington
San Juan, P.R. – On the 21st day of September, in celebration of the International Day of Peace, UPF Puerto Rico held its first ever event co-sponsored by International Yoga Teachers Association (IYTA) Wellness & Health Center. The theme of the Peace Forum was “Elements for Peace”.
Four panelists talked about peace from their own perspective and experiences. The first panelist was Pastor Antonio Grillo of the church “Casa de Jubilo”, he belongs to a family of evangelists. He gave a very moving speech and explained that peace came from Jesus. The second panelist was Mabel Lassalle, director of a non-government organization called “Connecting Paths P.R.”, taught skills on ‘emotional intelligence’ to children of the public school. And finally, the husband and wife tandem of Angel L. Rivera and Isabel Rodriguez, directors of IYTA Wellness & Health Center as well as teachers and practitioners of yoga for about 35 years.
There was a total of twenty-two people who participated in the forum which include fifteen (15) students from IYTA Health Center, four (4) guest panelists, and three (3) UPF staff.
Pastor Pedro Morales, UPF Puerto Rico Adviser gave the invocation while Mrs. Conchita Garcia, Executive Director of UPF Puerto Rico gave the welcoming remarks and a brief introduction about vision, mission, and works of UPF USA.
After the panelists gave their talks, Mrs. Garcia explained the purpose and goals of UPF’s Ambassador for Peace program. The four panelists then received their appointment as Ambassador for Peace which made them more inspired and excited to partner again in the near future in advancing the work UPF . “Everyone felt a sense of unity and as one big family under God despite our differences”, Garcia testified.
A celebratory cake was cut to conclude the forum. Truly, it was such a beautiful and peaceful day.
Contributed by: Conchita Garcia, Executive Director, UPF Puerto Rico
Las Vegas, NV – Universal Peace Federation Las Vegas (UPFLV) held a Peace Prayer to commemorate the United Nations International Day of Peace on September 21 at 12 noon in front of Las Vegas City Hall.
UPFLV invited Ambassadors of Peace and several Interfaith and religious organizations to participate. Twenty interfaith leaders gathered, offering prayers from their faith traditions, including representatives from the Mayor Faith Initiative, the Interfaith Council of Southern Nevada, Family Federation for World Peace, and Women’s Federation for World Peace.
Included were ‘none’ (Spiritual, but not religious) reading, Hopi Prayer, Buddhist, Jewish, Muslim, Christians from The Latter Day Saints, Bahai, Unificationist, and Spiritualist reading a Shoshone prayer. Everyone was free to say a prayer and express their dreams and desires of a peaceful world, as well as those representing their faith group.
Katherine Duncan, UPFLV Chairwoman, read some of Rev. Sun Myung Moon’s words from his speech to Congress “The Era of the Peace Kingdom” focusing on the role of a True Family in creating peace while Mrs. Leslie Rigney, UPFLV Executive Director, conducted the water ceremony where each faith group participated.
After we spoke together, then went inside for a light lunch and networking. Each person shared briefly about their faith group and any special activities they are involved in. There was a wonderful spirit of sharing and respect among everyone present. Some spoke about wanting to have a real Interfaith Celebration next year. Several new people asked to be added to our email list and look forward to more events together in the near future.
Seattle, WA – A great group of 21 persons gathered together on Thursday, the 23rd of March for the monthly forum. The title of the forum was “What the World Needs Now”, with the subtext of looking into the concepts and ideas contained in the first of the UPF Principles of Peace lectures: A Vision for Peace
