Interfaith peace walk
"The idea of the Peace Walk developed at New Garden Friends Meeting after the Friendly Ave. sidewalk recently got completed all the way from Elm St. and downtown Greensboro out to Guilford College and New Garden Friends Meeting. Several people mentioned that we should put the new sidewalk to good use and the idea of the Peace Walk emerged.
"There have been many Peace events over the last five years, however, we wanted this event (Oct. 21) to be spiritual and reflective."
More from John Young, Peace With Every Step Organizing Committee Member:
There have been many Peace events over the last five years, however, we wanted this event to be spiritual and reflective. As the Buddhist would say we wanted this Peace Walk to be "mindful" -- more of a faith based Witness for Peace without a harsh political edge. I am sure that in many ways on this reflective Peace Walk people will be at different places as they reflect on Peace. Such difference is important but we did want to try and keep it centered on the spiritual.
We teamed with neighboring faith communities down the Friendly Ave. corridor, heading towards Elm St. It was important to also include the Islamic Center of the Triad to make sure we were representing Christians, Jews and Muslims. We are glad that Persimmon Grove AME right off Friendly Ave. on Dolly Madison joined as a sponsor and hope our ads in the N&R helps bring other churches and people to the event who are far from the Friendly Ave. corridor. Everyone is welcomed.
The walk will begin at the New Garden Friends Meeting/Guilford College corner of Friendly Ave. and New Garden Rd. at 1:00 p.m. on this Sunday Oct. 21st and head straight down Friendly Ave. for approximately 6 miles ending at Center City Park with music from Laurelyn Dossett and Friends starting around 4:00 p.m. The other key starting point will be at 2:30 p.m.at First Friends Meeting at 2100 W. Friendly Ave. that is about 1/2 way. People, however, can join up with us at any point along Friendly Ave. We plan to return people to their cars with 4 buses that will each make several trips down Friendly Ave. We have several restroom and water stops planned along the way.
We have named the Event -- Peace With Every Step and we hope that name helps honor some of the deep spiritual peace work of the famous Buddhist, Thich Nhat Hanh. Hanh likes to emphasize that Peace begins with us and that Peace is best achieved one small step at a time. It is not something we force on others but is a way of living. Peace is love in action.
From our different faith backgrounds we can all agree of the value of Peace in our lives, our community, in Iraq and Afghanistan, and throughout the entire world. On Oct. 21st we hope to more fully nurture our common humanity.
We Quakers believe that "there is that of God in everyone." We are all sacred. God is diminished by the killing of anyone. I think a similar belief rest at the core of most religious faith. We hope on Sunday that we can mutually honor each other with a shared vision of compassion.
Comments (9)
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I'm going to try and join in on this. Sounds like it'd be a nice afternoon.
Posted on October 17, 2007 1:02 PM
It's good that Buddhists, Christians, Jews and Muslims are represented. But it would seem that having some religious faith is a requirement to attend this march. It would be nice if the "faithful" could consider just making it a Peace Walk for all, without the religious overtones. As we are told "there are no atheists in foxholes" (apparently wars are reserved for the religious) it would be nice if there was a welcome for the non-religious in a peace march.
Posted on October 18, 2007 3:25 PM
I agree with Quentin Cobb... the word "Interfaith" seems a bit exclusionary. If they are to exclude people of non-belief, fine. But to make such a big deal about it being all-encompassing, is a bit of a misnomer.
Posted on October 18, 2007 3:46 PM
We have said that "everyone is welcomed." The idea for Peace With Every Step did come from New Garden Friends Meeting, First Friends Meeting, Friendship Friends Meeting and nine other faith communities down the Friendly Ave. corridor joined and sponsored the effort. I think all of us who sponsored the event reach out our hands to everyone and say -- please join us on Sunday. The event will be the walk and the music of the artists. So along the Peace Walk you can help set the tone and the frame along with us.
Posted on October 18, 2007 4:49 PM
Oh I understand now! The word "Interfaith" was Nancy's way to describe the event, not an official name! I apologize for any misunderstanding here. Sounds like this will indeed be an event for all who are interested in creating and nurturing "peace." Mah-velous!
Posted on October 18, 2007 5:43 PM
As a Buddhist, Presbyterian, former Episcopalian, atheist I feel very welcome at the "Interfaith" peace walk. As someone said "No faith is a faith"
Posted on October 19, 2007 11:48 AM
As a Buddhist, Presbyterian, former Episcopalian, atheist I feel very welcome at the "Interfaith" peace walk. As someone said "No faith is a faith"
Posted on October 19, 2007 11:48 AM
"As someone said "No faith is a faith""
That couldn't be any less true, but I appreciate the spirit of the sentiment.
Posted on October 19, 2007 8:39 PM
if your child were dying and in need of a blood transfusion in order to save him/her - would anyone here refuse the blood of a non believer (for those of faith) or from a believer (for those of no faith) ? my point is - what difference does it make what one calls oneself if they are offering of themselves ? - in this example offering blood to save a life - in this ltte they are offering an opportunity to share in a community peace walk - so what is the hulabalu about whether is is billed as interfaith or no faith walk ? geez this political correctness stuff is getting too much (imo). if you want to participate in this walk - well then like nike says "just do it" - i don't believe there will be a registration asking participants what faith they are representing !! or if that doesn't satisfy your need then organize your own peace walk and bill it as anything you desire !
eric i believe the questions posed in this forum are often meant to 'incite' some sensibilities so i'm not surprised if nancy may have 'added' something to the event description. eric you aren't as thin skinned (i.e. easily put off) as others and i believe you see the value of the walk as it was billed...... i truly hope you and all who participate enjoy all that the day has to offer.
Posted on October 20, 2007 9:03 AM