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Peace Pole
GPIC members Pam Rosenlund, Marge Guerin, Sister Bonnie Morrow, Anthony Foronda, Lyn Tolar and Diane Cooney stand by the Peace Pole which says “May Peace Prevail” in eight languages. Courtesy photo.
PUTNAM — The Daughters of the Holy Spirit hosted the annual Greater Putnam Interfaith Council’s International Day of Peace celebration recently at their new offices.
Sr. Bonnie Morrow welcomed more than 40 participants and the basket was passed to collect funds for Daily Bread. G. Leslie Sweetnam led the group in singing “In the Name of Our Children,” by Sally Rogers. Prayers and readings were offered from the Unitarian/ Universalist, Jewish, Islamic, Christian, Buddhist and Baha’i faith traditions by Pam Rosenlund, Marge Guerin, Halim Jones, Yusef Archambault, Diane Cooney, Anthony Foronda, and Lyn Tolar.
Sister Gertrude Lanouette gave the address. “Our differences do not need to be divisive,” she said, “We can live in this world in harmony. It’s the same song. Some are singing alto and some are playing trombone.” Her prayer: “Peacebringer, open our minds and hearts to recognize Your presence in each person.”
Following, Jim Stahr played “This Land is Your Land.” Anthony Foronda led a Buddhist meditation.
Jayne and Kevin Collins accompanied the singing of the final song, “Let There Be Peace on Earth.”
The International Day of Peace was established in 1981 by the United Nations General Assembly. Two decades later, in 2001, the General Assembly unanimously voted to designate the Day as a period of non-violence and cease-fire. This year’s theme “Climate Action for Peace” draws attention to the importance of combatting climate change as a way to protect and promote peace throughout the world.
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