Dear People of Hope,
I am following the journey of a group of Buddhist monks who are walking from Texas to Washington, DC as a “walk for peace.” These monks also walk with a dog at their side. Across the South, they have been greeted by crowds and people who share with them what they have – water, food, blankets. My eyes became teary as I watched people join the monks in crossing the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, one of the most significant sites of marching for civil rights.
Following their path on instagram, I appreciated these words they shared on January 2nd: “Let there be peace on earth—and let it begin with me. Not with someone else. Not somewhere far away. Not when conditions are perfect or when the world finally changes. But here, now, with me [....] We often look outward, wishing the world would become more peaceful. But the truth is simpler and more challenging: the world becomes peaceful when we do. When each of us takes responsibility for the peace we carry—or fail to carry—in our own hearts. One person practicing mindful breathing creates ripples. One person acting with awareness transforms their corner of the world. A family practicing peace becomes a refuge. A community practicing peace transforms a neighborhood. And slowly, quietly, persistently, the peace that begins with “me” spreads to “we,” and from “we” to all.”
What a gift to be reminded of this in a world burdened by violence and war! In the days after the United States violently removed the Venezuelan president, after also bombing Nigeria on Christmas Day, I find myself scrambling with the helplessness I feel at the sheer weight of imperial might — of which I am a citizen – and wonder what is there for me to do. These words remind me where to start. Leaning into my own faith tradition, I turn to Christ for help — “Prince of Peace, here is my desire for peace; may it be so in me. Reveal my next steps on the walk for peace.”
We just celebrated Epiphany, Christ revealed in the world, and will continue for the next several weeks reflecting on this revelation. I am committing to setting an alarm for myself – for the next two weeks, at 11:00am every day, wherever I am and whatever I am doing, I will stop for a minute and pray for peace. For Christ’s peace manifesting in me. For Christ’s peace manifesting in you and in our congregation. For Christ’s peace manifesting for the people of Venezuela, Nigeria, the United States, Anchorage and our neighborhood. I will pray for Christ to lead me in the actions I am to take for the sake of peace, however challenging or contentious they may be.
I invite you to join me. Set an alarm. Even if for just a moment each day, let us pray for peace. May it begin with us. May it be so. Amen.
Peace be with you,
Pastor Liz
I am following the journey of a group of Buddhist monks who are walking from Texas to Washington, DC as a “walk for peace.” These monks also walk with a dog at their side. Across the South, they have been greeted by crowds and people who share with them what they have – water, food, blankets. My eyes became teary as I watched people join the monks in crossing the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, one of the most significant sites of marching for civil rights.
Following their path on instagram, I appreciated these words they shared on January 2nd: “Let there be peace on earth—and let it begin with me. Not with someone else. Not somewhere far away. Not when conditions are perfect or when the world finally changes. But here, now, with me [....] We often look outward, wishing the world would become more peaceful. But the truth is simpler and more challenging: the world becomes peaceful when we do. When each of us takes responsibility for the peace we carry—or fail to carry—in our own hearts. One person practicing mindful breathing creates ripples. One person acting with awareness transforms their corner of the world. A family practicing peace becomes a refuge. A community practicing peace transforms a neighborhood. And slowly, quietly, persistently, the peace that begins with “me” spreads to “we,” and from “we” to all.”
What a gift to be reminded of this in a world burdened by violence and war! In the days after the United States violently removed the Venezuelan president, after also bombing Nigeria on Christmas Day, I find myself scrambling with the helplessness I feel at the sheer weight of imperial might — of which I am a citizen – and wonder what is there for me to do. These words remind me where to start. Leaning into my own faith tradition, I turn to Christ for help — “Prince of Peace, here is my desire for peace; may it be so in me. Reveal my next steps on the walk for peace.”
We just celebrated Epiphany, Christ revealed in the world, and will continue for the next several weeks reflecting on this revelation. I am committing to setting an alarm for myself – for the next two weeks, at 11:00am every day, wherever I am and whatever I am doing, I will stop for a minute and pray for peace. For Christ’s peace manifesting in me. For Christ’s peace manifesting in you and in our congregation. For Christ’s peace manifesting for the people of Venezuela, Nigeria, the United States, Anchorage and our neighborhood. I will pray for Christ to lead me in the actions I am to take for the sake of peace, however challenging or contentious they may be.
I invite you to join me. Set an alarm. Even if for just a moment each day, let us pray for peace. May it begin with us. May it be so. Amen.
Peace be with you,
Pastor Liz
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