11 Days of Global Peace Closing

The 2009 11 Days of Global Peace Closing Celebration at the ASU Catholic Newman Center seemed to be the crowning event as celebrants from six different faith traditions lit their own candles from the One Source Light while each said a prayer for peace. Then the candles of the many others gathered were lit from the diverse candles as Peace Ambassador Becky Benes observed no one candle was diminished while lighting the candle of another. The rest of the evening was filled with symbol, song, and a success story.

As their own Reaching Out project, the Peace Ambassadors launched the San Angelo Pennies for Peace campaign setting a goal of $12,000 - enough to build a school for girls and boys in Afghanistan. Becky announced that through the collection of pennies and dollars, the goal was exceeded! The beautiful Pennies for Peace collection cans, created by Friend of Peace Jennifer Shawker, Unikids, and Ft. Concho kids, are still out, and donations are still being accepted by the Peace Ambassadors.

Pictured left to right, front row - Samuel Green, Baha'i; Teresa Rylander, Taoist; Ara Rahman, Muslim Peace Ambassador; Rev. Janie Kelley, Christian Peace Ambassador; Rashda Khan, Muslim Peace Ambassador, and Shailu Joshi, Hindu. Back Row - Becky Benes, Christian Peace Ambassador and Deborah Michalewicz, 11 Days of Global Peace Coordinator. Not pictured - Ami Mizell-Flint, Jewish Peace Ambassador.

Grammy nominated Cynthia Jordan

Cynthia Jordan, Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter, also opened and closed the 11 Days of Global Peace for the Peace Ambassadors with many of her original creations, some of which were heard for the first time at the life-changing and San Angelo-changing Lady in Blue Celebration and are memorialized on Cynthia's LADY IN BLUE compact disc.

Listen to the Wise Ones - Larry M. Ward

Singer/Songwriter Larry M. Ward both opened and closed the 11 Days of Global Peace with his Listen to the Wise Ones. Lyrics are presented here with gracious and generous permission from Mr. Ward.

Martin shared his dream with us of Universal Love.
No prejudice, no violence . . . just guidance from above.
He believed we'd get there; he prayed we'd understand.
From on that mountain top, Martin saw our Promised Land.

Gandhi found his path to walk, a way to make a stand.
He fought against injustice, yet never raised a hand.
Dalai Lama lost his country, watched his people fight and die,
Yet he spreads the word of peace each moment of his life.

(Chorus)
We must listen to the Wise Ones...we must listen with our hearts.
We must listen to the Wise Ones...their words can show us where to start.
They know the path of love; they'll guide us on our way.
We can build a brighter future, make the most of everyday
If we just listen to the Wise Ones.

Jesus brought a message of forgiveness for our hearts.
We can have a peaceful spirit if we only do our part.
For life is but a journey we must travel everyday.
Pease is not a place to be...it's peace that is the way

Chorus

Too many people see the world as it is
And in their desperation they ask why?
Instead we could be seeing all the possiblities.
We can let go of the past; we can set our spirits free.

Chorus

11 Days of Global Peace - Eid Celebration

Gambian Basiru Jallo served as Imam during the Islamic Eid Prayer Service and afterwards visited with guests, young and not-so-young, over some of the most delicious and exotic foods raved over by all those gathered as one.

11 Days of Global Peace - Islamic Eid Prayer Service

Peace Ambassador Ara Rahman and Dr. Fazlur Rahman assisted in leading the first-ever Islamic Eid Prayer Service in San Angelo, Texas. The grace, peace, and sensitivity of all gathered was a blessing beyond words as participants from three of the world's major faith traditions came together to celebrate as one.

11 Days of Global Peace - Eid Celebration

The room was filled with rainbows and joy as the Peace Ambassadors and guests gathered at Unity Church of Christianity to celebrate Islam's Eid followed by a delicious meal prepared by San Angelo Muslims from Turkey, Bangladesh, Egypt, and Pakistan. Pictured are Happy Rahman, daughter of Peace Ambassador Ara Rahman and Dr. Fazlur Rahman; Peace Ambassador Rashda Khan; Peace Ambassdor Becky Benes; Hannah Benes, and Deborah Michalewicz.

11 Days of Global Peace - All Faith Day Event

At the All Faith Day at First Christian Church, close to 75 interfaith people gathered in one closing prayer circle after all enjoyed traveling to seven different Faith Tradition Rooms to hear how each tradition Reaches In with prayer, meditation, and contemplation and Reaches Out in acts of community justice and service.

11 Days of Global Peace - Cowboy Breakfast Event

11 Days of Global Peace coordinator Deborah Michalewicz spoke at the Cowboy Breakfast bringing awareness of Greg Mortenson's Three Cups of Tea to those gathered and encouraging folks to reach out with the Pennies for Peace campaign to build real schools in Afghanistan and Pakistan for girls and boys rather than allow just the male-only wahhabbi madrassas, schools of hate and suicide bombs, to monopolize the hungry region.

11 Days of Global Peace - Jewish Sabbath Meal

September 11th was also the date for the 11 Days of Global Peace Jewish Sabbath Meal hosted at St. Paul Presbyterian Church. Various Friends of Peace decorated each table differently to add to the beauty of the rainy evening after the Sabbath service at Congregation Beth Israel. A Kosher potluck was followed by Jewish song and prayer led by Peace Ambassador Ami Mizell-Flint.

11 Days of Global Peace - 9-11 Memorial Service

Peace Ambassadors Becky Benes, Ara Rahman, Rev. Janie Kelley, and Rashda Khan offered the closing prayer and a peace wreath at the September 11th Memorial Service.