The first images greeting us when we entered the ballroom for the Gathering of Peacemakers event, sponsored by the Institute for Individual and World Peace, were the wings of a white dove encircling this planet that humankind calls Earth. In Service to Peace. That’s what the clear statement on the projection screens said. And I know this to be true: we serve the Prince of Peace.
Laura Donnelley-Morton welcomed us with a relaxed introduction and invocation. The Ani Hu sang through the room, deep and vibrant, and touching the hearts of all of us.
Laura talked a bit about the 32-day Worldwide Peace Prayer process, and reminded us that we can find out more about this at www.iiwp.org. She then invited her husband, John Morton, to join her on stage for the next part of this delicious evening.
John led us in an expanded version of the Peace Prayer. Tranquility, harmony, calmness, silence pervaded the room, as together we visualized “God bless you, I love you, Peace be still” in every language and culture.
Next, IIWP staff member Beth Hinman told us a story of a confused boy who learned, through the Adopt-a-horse program, that quieting the mind and sending Light to all serves Peace. Beth also told us that as well as the Adopt-a-horse program, IIWP has many events, such as Peacemaker meetings, Youth/Adult workshops, email workshops, Moments of Peace, and Windermere Ranch events/visits/work parties.
An Adopt-a-horse video brought to our awareness the qualities that the Windermere horses represent; Endurance, Freedom of Choice, Giving, Kindness, Assertiveness, Clear Intention, Calm, Strength, and I Am. I loved seeing these smiling horses. Not kidding! I swear I saw some of them smile!!
David Rodgers, Managing Director of IIWP, and John Morton were on the stage next, auctioning off a cast sculpture of John-Roger’s right hand, made of a “bronze-material” by Jeffrey Bunting. Amidst lots of laughter and encouragement, this unique artwork was auctioned to become a prized possession to a delightfully focused and committed lady.
The beautiful Monica Laskay and Aura Maria Chavez sang two songs in Spanish, which were infinitely moving and tender. “Eternamente te Amor”.
Laura Donnelly-Morton’s sweet introduction of John Morton was next.”God bless you, I love you, Peace be still,” she said. These are the words that will forever remind me of this gathering of peacemakers. John spoke these words to us many, many times, and we returned this blessing to him.
John spoke of many and varied things. The ones that I remember most are that we are all right, that there is a Comforter for each of us, that peace is the cessation of againstness.
John reminded us that the processes of Peace are trust, accepting, understanding, honoring, forgiving, letting go, and participating. John also read and discussed some quotes from pages 80/81, 186, 8, and page 1 of John-Roger’s book Loving Each Day for Peacemakers. I particularly remember from these readings that peace is an applied living process, that peace is always available for me to move into, that individual peace is the first step to world peace, and that it is my responsibility to hold the peace inside of me. When we are peacemakers, then it is our responsibility to hold the peace. Be quiet, hold the peace, even when everything around us may be chaos.
Laura Donnelly-Morton closed the evening, and put into words what most of us had experienced: that this was a gentle and peace-filled evening. So I leave you with the words that are written in my heart: God bless you, I love you, Peace… be still.
Read more articles from the Conference Of Service 2004:
- Blessings Fest Luncheon Ends the Conference of Service
- Initiates Meeting at the Conference of Service
- Ministers Meeting at the Conference of Service
- Claiming Our Spiritual Heritage Workshop Day 2
- Claiming Our Spiritual Heritage Workshop Day 1
- PTS Graduation At The Conference Of Service 2004
- One Family Serving Around the World — Conference 2004 Representatives Meeting
- MSIA & the Heartfelt Foundation Celebrate “Making a Difference through Service”
- Open Day at Peace Awareness Labyrinth & Gardens — A Treat for MSIA’s Conference of Service Participants
- MSIA’s Family Retreat at Lake Arrowhead — The First Event of the Conference of Service 2004
