Peaceful Presence Meditation and Story

Two highlights from our February 11 Peaceful Presence, hosted by the Unitarian Universalist Church of Palo Alto, were a moving meditation and an inspiring story!

Rev. Yushi Mukojima from the Mountain View Buddhist Temple led our meditation, which included these words:

There is a saying in Buddhism: Let us cease from wrath and refrain from angry looks. Nor let us be resentful when others differ from us. For all men have hearts, and each heart has its own leanings. Their right is our wrong, and our right is their wrong. We are not unquestionably sages, nor are they unquestionably fools. Both of us are simply ordinary men.

Therefore, our spirit of justice should always be based on wisdom, compassion, and loving kindness, without anger and hatred. Even if we are upset with or even hate another person, we should not dwell on our differences, but just try to let them go. It may be very hard, but do not give into hatred. Hatred can never create anything constructive.

To read the full meditation scroll down or click "Read More" below.

We were also inspired with a reading of the story Kamala and Maya's Big Idea. The book is written by Meena Harris, and illustrated by Ana Ramirez Gonzalez. Craig Wiesner and Derrick Kikuchi, long time participants with Multifaith Voices for Peace and Justice and owners of the independent bookstore Reach and Teach, read the story to us. To purchase the book visit the Reach and Teach website.

Light the Night: Together We Stand

Light the night for hope, healing, peace and justice.

Tuesday, January 19, 6:30-7:30pm
Virtual Event hosted by American Muslim Voice
TOGETHER WE STAND
Diverse faith leaders declare their solidarity and commitment to the principles of our nation.

Multifaith Voices for Peace & Justice is pleased to partner with American Muslim Voice and other faith organizations for this gathering.

Join us for prayers for our nation from diverse faith traditions. Click here to download a flyer with a full list of participants.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE PROGRAM LIVE ON YOUTUBE.

Peaceful Presence January 11, 2021 Recording

On January 11th 2021, MVPJ hosted a Peaceful Presence.
Below is a link to a video of the event which many found to be just the right balm to heal and inspire us. 

Click here and use the passcode X9ZwZ@^d

Let Us Heal

Let Us Heal
by Naiel Chaudry

It is hard to unsee after having seen
Such a painful unforgettable scene

Families being separated and shaken
Children in their mothers arms, being taken

Hearing their calls for help and screams
Watching their teary eyes and broken dreams

They were left with no choice but to give in
This battle for freedom they could not win

I remember the day that led to today
We lost our American soul that day

With a vicious stroke of a powerful pen
Lives were changed of muslim women and men

That is what led to our nation's heartbreak
It was for sure not a trivial mistake

They were left with no choice but to give in
This battle for freedom they could not win

MLK's dream had long been shattered
As if his people had never really mattered

The departed souls leaving behind sadness
All because of someone's raging madness

I walked with hundreds at a rally and cried
For what happened has left us all horrified

They were left with no choice but to give in
This battle for freedom they could not win

As we stand here today, closing one door
We are left with the choice of peace or war

Let us start this new year hand in hand
As we heal ourselves and our beautiful land

The People's Inauguration 2021

On January 21, 2021, let us come together across the country to recommit to building a nation with liberty and justice for ALL.

Multifaith Voices for Peace and Justice is excited to join The Revolutionary Love Project, along with other faith and civic organization throughout the country for this national event!

The People's Inauguration will be a celebration of what is possible.
Sound government is necessary - but it won't heal and transition America into a society where we are all free.
This work belongs to us, the people.

After years of injustice and division, we need a moment of collective renewal and healing. Let's create a moral vision for the America we are capable of becoming.

 Imagine millions of us making our own oaths - to our core values, to each other, to ourselves.

Be a part of The People Inauguration from wherever you are! CLICK HERE to register now!

End the Nuclear Era Palo Alto Street Vigil (with COVID safety precautions)

The U.N Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons
becomes international law on Friday, January 22.
VIGIL Supporting the Treaty
Friday, 1/22, 12noon-1:30pm
Corner of El Camino and Embarcadero in Palo Alto

Atherton joins Menlo Park in supporting the 'Back from the Brink' Resolution

On May 26, 2020, with the encouragement of Multifaith Voices for Peace & Justice working with Menlo Park peace activist Judy Adams, Cecelia Taylor, the mayor of Menlo Park, signed a proclamation supporting a call for the federal government to take five specific steps to reduce the risk of nuclear war.

Then, on November 18, 2020, through the efforts of MVPJ and two Atherton peace advocates (Les DeWitt and former Mayor Malcolm Dudley), Atherton joined Menlo Park in supporting the call.

Entitled "Back from the Brink," this call was created by the Union of Concerned Scientists and Physicians for Social Responsibility, and has been endorsed by 250 organizations including the California State Legislature. Menlo Park and Atherton joined Los Angeles and seven other California cities to become the seventh and tenth California cities, respectively, to endorse 'The Call.'

Click here to download a PDF of the Op-Ed (July 31, 2020 in The Almanac) "Stepping Back from the Brink: Steps to reduce the risk of nuclear war" written by Richard Duda (of MVPJ) and Judy Adams about the call and Menlo Park action.

Click here to download a PDF of the Menlo Park Proclamation and the Atherton Proclamation.

If you are a resident of a city that has not signed the Back from the Brink call and would like to work with MVPJ on the best way to approach your city council, please contact us at info@multifaithpeace.org.

Multifaith Prayers for Peace on 11th of the Month

Monthly Multifaith Prayers for Peace
7-7:30pm on 11th of every month
NEXT GATHERING: Thursday, February 11, 7-7:30pm - hosted by the Unitarian Universalist Church of Palo Alto

In the midst of difficult times, Multifaith Voices for Peace and Justice will host “Peaceful Presence,” a monthly prayer service on the evening of the 11^th of each month, offering a time of quiet multifaith prayers for peace and strength for the journey.  All are welcome: those of all faith traditions and of no defined faith, those who are suffering at the hands of their own government, those who need a pause in the midst of intensive work on behalf of others, and all who would like to pray with others for the well-being of all.  The prayer time will include elements from several religious traditions.

Upcoming: 
Thursday, February 11, 7-7:30pm - hosted by the Unitarian Universalist Church of Palo Alto
Thursday, March 11, 7-7:30pm - hosted by Congregation Etz Chayim of Palo Alto
Sunday, April 11, 7-7:30pm - hosted by St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Palo Alto

Extemporaneous Speech by Julia Jackson, Mother of Jacob Blake

"I'm really asking and encouraging everyone in Wisconsin and abroad to take a moment and examine your hearts. Citizens, police officers, firemen, clergy, politicans: do Jacob justice on this level and examine your hearts.

We need healing.

As I pray for my son's healing - physically and emotionally and spiritually - I also have been praying even before this for the healing of our country. 

God has placed each and every one of us here in this country because He wanted us to be here."

Click here to watch and hear Julia Jackson's full and very moving speech (August 25, 2020) on youtube.

June 11 Peaceful Presence on Racial Justice

Peaceful Presence: Multifaith Prayers for Peace and Strength for the Journey
June 11, 2020
This powerful gathering was hosted by the MVPA Musalla, a Mountain View/Palo Alto Muslim Community, and led by Farha Andrabi Navaid, leader of the Musalla. The focus was on the pressing need for racial justice. Contributions included:

"Peace and Struggle" remarks by Rev. Amy Morgenstern and inspired by Frederick Douglas. Click here to download and read.

"Hearts of Stones" remarks were shared by Quaker Eric Sabelman from Palo Alto Friends Meeting. Click here to download and read.

Jewish Reading from Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel and Song - presented by Rabbi Amy Eilberg. Click here to download and read.

A Christian prayer led by Rev. Dr. Diana Gibson and inspired by Pope Paul VI, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel, and the Poor People's Campaign. Click here to download and read.

A song in memory of Chris Lundin, our beloved MVPJ Steering committee member, "music director," colleague and friend. (Click here to see our memory page for Chris.) "This is my song, O God of all the nations" was sung by Chris French from the Baha'i community. This was one of Chris Lundin's favorite songs. 

The following closing prayer with times of silence after each line was led by Kareem Syed of the MVPA Musalla:
Prayer for the family of George Floyd, and all those killed by violence.
Prayer for the healing of our own wounds from violence.
Prayer for the healing of the scourge of racism.
Prayer for the healing of our country.
Prayer in the face of fear.
Prayer for returning to God and holy ways.
Prayer for people to get to work and inspiration and courage to make a difference.