Please join in the prayers and pleas for compassion as shared by the Elijah Interfaith Institute:

"Saddened by the suffering of Rohingiya people, which has been added to the suffering of so many other human being during the last few weeks,  we, Buddhist and Muslim Leaders, associated with the Elijah Interfaith Institute, as well as leaders of other faith traditions, invoke the timeless aspiration of humankind for compassion and love, and yearning for guidance, succor, and help from supra-human realms so powerfully captured in the two prayers below—one from Buddhist sources and the second from the opening chapter of the Quran. We wish to recall this common teaching and high moral and spiritual yearning of the human soul at this point in time, especially in view of the suffering of the Rohingiya Muslims who are being persecuted and are suffering due to policies of a Buddhist majority state."

Over 200 people braved the thunder and rain on King Plaza in Palo Alto for a Peace Picnic followed by Multifaith Prayers for Peace & Justice. (For the words of the poem read at the picnic, click here.) The program included all ages, many faith traditions and people from diverse ethnicities and backgrounds.  

Gathering songs were led by Chris Lundin of St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic parish, and the Mitzvah Singers from Congregation Etz Chaim, both in Palo Alto.

Other musical offerings came from Baha'i singers Mahrou Derakshani and Chris French, young adults from the Sathya Sai International Organization, Region 7, and a children's choir from Congregation Beth Am.

The Sound of the Shofar, an Islamic Call to Prayer, a Christian Call to Worship and a Buddhist invitation to silence called us together, and Rabbi Amy Eilberg welcomed us into community and prayer. Speakers included Cantor Jaime Shpall from Congregation Beth Am (pictured with the children's choir above), Farha Andrabi Navaid (pictured right) who is President of the MVPA Musalla, a worship and community center for Muslims in the Palo Alto area, Rev. Fa Jun, a Buddhist/Interfaith minister from the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Los Gatos (pictured left), and Rev. Annanda Barclay from the First Presbyterian Church of Palo Alto (pictured below in the closing circle). A Prayer of Lament was led by Farukh Basrai, from Anjuman-e-Jamali and MVPJ, and Rev. Mark Arevalo from Spark Church, Palo Alto.

Episcopal priest Rev. Frannie Hall Kieschnick led us in a closing ritual of circle, candlelight, song.  Rev. Kaloma Smith of University AME Zion Church, along with Rev. Annanda Barclay, sent us out with the words of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King:
Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that.
Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. 

MVPJ holds Peaceful Presence Prayer gatherings on the 11th of every month.
On October 11 the Baha'i Community of Palo Alto will host the service. Click here for more information.

We thank Chris Cassell and Alfred Leung, afflicates of Pro-Bono Photography for the wonderful photos!  To see more great pictures taken by them, click here and here. If you share these photos, please be sure to give them credit!

A four-hour workshop with Sharon Strand Ellison
Sunday, Sept. 24, 1-5pm
Unitarian Universalist Church of Palo Alto, 505 E. Charleston Road, Palo Alto
$20 donation requested; no one turned away for lack of funds

Sharon Strand Ellison is an author and communication consultant who will introduce participants to the art of powerful nondefensive communication. This is not a technique for winning arguments, but a path to verbal disarmament.

Click here to download a flyer.

Help spread the word! Please post, share, and distribute widely!

To download 9/11 Peaceful Presence flyers simply click below:
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Mark this Day for Peace, Justice and Inclusion
Monday, September 11, 7-8pm
King Plaza (at Hamilton & Ramona) in Palo Alto

Let us join to celebrate our common humanity and shared commitment to a world of peace, justice and inclusion. Prayers, reflections, music and rituals from diverse religious traditions will call us to unity and compassion as we make a public affirmation for peace. Those of all faiths and of no formal faith are more than welcome.

At 5:30-7pm there will be a Multifaith Peace Picnic, also on King Plaza, sponsored by American Muslim Voice along with over two dozen Peace Partners, including MVPJ.  Come for that and have more opportunity to cultivate community and friendship. Our Peaceful Presence Gathering will immediately follow the picnic.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES: Click here to see ways you can help and sign-up for what you can do.

Visit, like and link to our Facebook Event page.

Bring a sweater or something to keep you warm, as it can get cool and breezy on the plaza!

Download 9/11 Peaceful Presence flyers and help spread the word!
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We at Multifaith Voices for Peace and Justice stand with those vigil attendees in their proclamation that "love wins" and in declaring that hate is not welcome here.

We also acknowledge that what happened in Charlottesville is not new, perhaps only forgotten, as our history of racial, xenophobic and anti-semitic violence runs deep in American history. Our faiths demand that we stand up, name, confront, resist and defeat evil with love and in love's name and we welcome and honor all who share the same commitment.

Sunday, August 20
5-7PM
Oshmann Family Jewish Community Center
Outdoors at the Jessica Lynn Saal Town Square
FREE

Hosted by the Oshmann Family Jewish Community Center, this potluck is to honor our diversity and common humanity.  In the face of last week's hateful events, we are dedicating this meal to diversity, inclusion, equality and open conversation. Leave your signs at home and bring a dish to share with your neighbor. (Please no pork or shellfish.) Tableware, cultery and beautiful outdoor setting will be provided by the JCC.

The flyer for the event is required for admission. Please download, print and bring with you.

Saturday, Aug. 19, 1-3pm
Mountain View City Hall, 500 Castro Street, Mountain View

In response to the planned right-wing "March on Google" this Saturday, August 19, Mountain View Voices for Peace and Justice, along with other organizations and individuals, will be holding a rally in Mountain View Civic Center Plaza to demonstrate our area's support for the human rights principles of equality and diversity. The rally will take place from 1 pm to 3 pm on Saturday, August 19, 2017 at Mercy and Castro Streets in Mountain View.

Click here for more information.