Lansing, MI – The Universal Peace Federation of Michigan honored the United Nations International Day of Peace on Wednesday, September 21, at the state capitol. Staff members from state senators and state representatives’ offices gathered at the Lansing Center, a beautiful convention, and banquet center within walking distance of the state capitol, for the morning program.
Ms. Teresa Ledesma, UPF Executive Director in Michigan, gave welcoming remarks and shared her story as a former Foreign Service Officer with the State Department, working in many countries for more than 20 years. She presented the background of the UN International Day of Peace and its motto this year, “Building Blocks of Peace.” She then introduced Rev. David Kasbow, State Pastor of the Michigan Family Church, who presented an introductory video and brief presentation on the history of UPF, its vision, and activities.
“In our visits to the state senators and representatives offices to prepare for the event, we met Terri Barker, Legislative Assistant to Representative Wendell Byrd (D), a young woman who has had extensive experience in conflict resolution both in the political and businessworlds,” Ledesma said. One of UPF’s initiatives is a program called Ambassadors for Peace where people from civil society are appointed and honored for their contributions to peace. “We knew she would be the right person to receive a certificate as one of these ambassadors,” Kasbow concluded. After showing a video on the UPF five principles of peace, Ms. Ledesma presented her the appointment as Ambassador for Peace. She exemplified her commitment to peace activities in that she came to the event even though she was not feeling her best that day.
The program concluded with a presentation on the philosophy of UPF’s founder, Reverend Sun Myung Moon, called “Headwing Thought.” It is a worldview capable of creating peace by enabling people to embrace people on both sides of any conflict. Rev. Moon called it “Headwing” to stress that it is a philosophy that can digest both the left and right wing views of the political spectrum. We concluded the program with lunch and a gift of an origami “
After the program, everybody enjoyed a sumptuous lunch and a gift of an origami “flowerball” was given to each of the state senators’ offices including Joe Fedewa, Legislative Assistant to Representative Tom Cochran (R).
A follow-up conversation in the weeks ahead was decided with invitations to the state legislators on the upcoming International Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C. in late November 2016.
Las Vegas, NV – The monthly peace forum held on July 20, 2016 at the Las Vegas City Hall discusses the issue on racism. The theme of the program “How Fear Affects Actions and Attitudes” picked the interest of twenty-one attendees representing the community.
The forum opened with an Invocation from Rabbi Sanford Marks of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police, office of community Engagement, as well as being on the board of the Interfaith Council of Southern Nevada. A short video about the Universal Peace Federation (UPF) was shown for the benefit of those who are new to UPF.
To follow, was a lively forum with 4 panelists: Ms. Jo Cato of Periwinkle Marketing, who is the Public Information Officer for the NAACP, was the moderator of the event.
Among the four panel members were Mr. James Rigney of the Las Vegas Family Church, Mr. Rodney Smith, publisher of Our Own Voices Magazine, and a former candidate for US Congress. In addition, was Mrs. Deborah Reyes, the Outreach Coordinator for the Office of Community Engagement for the LVMPD and Ms. Jo Cato of Periwinkle.
This month’s the topic was how fear affects people’s actions and attitudes. The panel and the participants of the forum were among those involved in social media, interfaith activities, law enforcement, academics, and the general population.
Among the topics discussed were:
The police are not afraid of the public but are afraid that things will not be resolved unless religious leaders and their various faith based organizations unite around our common values to bring about a true, long-lasting peace to the community. It is important to deal with whatever is causing fear as it stops good connection between people. We should promote that we are all “one family under God”.
Black Lives Matter: It appears there is a movement in the USA to divide all people into groups which are prompted by that movement to accuse one another and distrust one another. Deborah spoke of being aware that other young people have concerns and are seeking to express themselves thru the Black Lives Matter movement. Rodney Smith spoke of having a campaign like “Smokey the Bear” to reach children’s hearts and minds that all people have value. James Rigney said love minded community leaders and religious leaders must come up with a plan and carry it out to heal our country.
The press could be enabling the problems of fear by only focusing on situations promoting fear. Fear sells as much as sex sells, maybe more. The press is enabling a vicious cycle and making money off of it. The Fall of our first human ancestors resulted in the first fear, and this fear and promiscuity, jealousy, arrogance and the broken family has been multiplying ever since. We need to unite and work on a solution.
Deborah Reyes, the Outreach Coordinator, Office of Community Engagement for the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Dept. was concerned about the rise of reports of discrimination.
There was concern that the media has agendas that lead to disruption in the community and bring about division and fear.
Representatives from the Nation of Islam expressed concern that there is racial bias in the media and how incidents are reported.
We need parents who are centered on loving one another, their family, their community, and their nation. Without loving parents, children will not be taught to love their brothers and sister, their neighbors, their community, or their family. Innocent people are suffering and hurt because of the breakdown of the family. Without caring parents, the family breaks down, and so do our children and so does our country.
Immediately following the panel discussion, participants were invited to ask questions or comment on the panel member’s remarks. Toward the end of the event there was the appointment of five new Ambassadors for Peace.
Following was a long lunch with lively discussion and fellowship. We all realized that we are all parts of one big family in need of finding the way to unite into one.
Las Vegas Peace forums are held every 3rd Wednesday of the month.
Reported by: Katherine-Duncan and Leslie Rigney, UPF Las Vegas Nevada
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Las Vegas, NV – In response to a serious epidemic affecting a great many youth and families in our country, an Interfaith Forum was held on June 15th at City Hall in Las Vegas entitled “How Pornography is Affecting Faith and Families”. Setting the stage, a UPF video and presentation on the Peace Principles was given by our national UPF President, Richard De Sena. To follow, a panel discussed many aspects of the issue.
Panelists introduced their concern on the topic. Andrew Compton, Assistant pastor for FFWPU stated that 95% of the young men in his church are involved in pornography, creating a prime interest for him in the topic and what can be done. Georgette Dante, an entertainer in Las Vegas, expressed a common myth that there may be some value in pornography, possibly preventing rape and giving people release. She emphasized how important values are in life and being a good example to the youth. She expressed concern that pornography is damaging to youth and therefore is a problem. Imam Mujahid Ramadan, a very educated and involved Imam in the Las Vegas community, expressed the challenge in helping young men and women to lead a moral life and to recognize we are spiritual beings. He expressed concern for temptations in life and the need to resist. Roberta Vander Voort helps to manage a clinic where issues of pornography addiction are dealt with. She is very serious that pornography addiction is like heroin addiction and it also causes great damage to the family. As an LDS member, she has had a lifelong commitment to family issues and support of the God-centered family.
Jerushia Hylton, a pastor and concerned wife and mother led the panelists in a series of questions about pornography. The Imam stressed that maintaining a connection to the spiritual aspect of life is key. Rev. Compton agreed, that the spiritual aspect is subject and physical is object, yet the spiritual is too weak to control the physical. He emphasized the need for good families and also the responsibility of society as a whole to deal with the availability of pornography. Imam said that even young children are being exposed to soft porn, mentioning Byonce, Jennifer Lopez. Now, with easy access, youth become easily addicted, that pornography affects the same part of the brain as cocaine. It’s easy to get in, hard to get out. Roberta mentioned the actual physical changes that take place in the brain. She said it is important for the spouse to be compassionate, to understand the physiological aspect of the addiction. It is an emotional affair the spouse is having with the ‘drug’ of pornography. Rev. Compton stressed it is not the addict’s fault. There is an industry out there that is very aggressively finding ways to hook people, the younger the better. Once people are addicted they cannot stop by themselves. They need 1.Counseling and 2. A mentor. Also, the support of the faith community is very important. Imam Ramadan emphasized also developing practices to strengthen the spirit, like fasting. Also, practically, teach about sex to the youth, that it is good and beneficial for marriage and should not be degraded, or engaged in in any way prematurely. Roberta spoke about the need for the spiritual leader to be involved with the expert who is dealing with addiction understanding and solutions. Her clinic is very involved and available for this.
On the subject of social controls, Rev. Compton mentioned that child pornography is illegal. Adult pornography is legal. There are organizations pushing for freedom of expression at any cost. Some barrier is needed to keep children from being exposed. There is a lack of protective laws against these evil businesses. Churches, Mosques, Temples, religious organizations need to be involved in the political scene. Ultimately, the Supreme Court needs judges who believe children need protection.
The forum ended with lunch and much sharing among the participants. There was energy and interest in solving this issue, as everyone could see, the effects on the individual and society are extremely damaging.
Columbus, OH – For the second quarter, a Peace Forum was held on June 14th at the UC Columbus Center with 5 of the new Ambassadors for Peace and a collection of the local congregation and UPF-USA staff. The focus and theme “Where do we go from here?” opened the door to hear from each ambassador on their vision of working together.
A community activist, a retired school teacher, two university students and a Muslim lady all contributed with passionate expressions for creating a model for families of Columbus to strengthen youth through teaching and practicing peace at home. There was a strong desire to market UPF and the Ambassadors for Peace to the communities and schools. It was decided to obtain a booth at the annual International Festival in the fall to spread the message and influence positive relations amongst all peoples beginning in the family. The consensus was to meet each month, communicate regularly with the UPF Ohio Secretary Marcia Schlicting by emails, and develop the grass root movement in Columbus that will attract the attention of the city government and many communities to work for real peace and real harmony.
It was a down-to-earth two hours with songs, snacks, and refreshments, The guests’ hearts were so full that even after the conclusion, the dialogue continued discussing for solutions to the problems we all face as humans. Conclusively, God must be the center of what we do and teach going forward.
Chris Fox, Executive Director of UPF Ohio shared a brief testimony of the 40th anniversary of the God’s Hope for America festival at Yankee Stadium in New York. Each participant was given a copy of that speech by Rev. Sun Myung Moon and confirmed that the truths within the speech then are still relevant today in our society. Let the work begin anew with these conscientious participants to spread the solution to the issues facing everyone in America. Yet, they agreed to focus on Columbus, Ohio and make a model for the nation.
Contributed by: Chris Fox, Executive Director and Marcia Schlicting, Secretary UPF Ohio
