Celebrating Peace Day
PUTNAM — The Greater Putnam Interfaith Council and community member recently gathered at the Living Faith United Methodist Church to celebrate International Peace Day. A GPIC tradition for more than 20 years, the program featured members of various faith groups offering prayers, readings and music. 
This year the GPIC Peace Pole was transferred from its most recent location with the Daughters of the Holy Spirit to the Methodist Church. Made by GPIC member Steve Champ, the pole has the words “May Peace Prevail On Earth” in eight languages representing local nationalities. Through the years it has been place in various locations. 
The program ended with the singing of “Let There Be Peace on Earth,” followed by refreshments and fellowship.
International Peace Day was established in 1981 by the United Nations General Assembly. Two decades later, in 2001, it was unanimously voted to designate it as a period of non-violence and cease-fire. This year’s theme is “Act Now for a Peaceful World.”

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