A Gathering of Peacemakers sponsored by the Institute for Individual and World Peace (IIWP) was hosted by Nick Segal and his wife, Deborah Allen-Segal. To open the event, they briefly introduced the Adopt-A-Horse program at Windermere Ranch (A Place of Peace), obviously enjoying making us and each other laugh. Nick gave an Invocation of Peace, calling forward that Spirit of quiet and loving.
Next we were treated to a video clip of John-Roger, founder of IIWP, speaking about each person being a Place of Peace in themselves. Beth Hinman, a staff member of IIWP, was called up to the stage, and she presented an update on the recent activities of the Institute, including the online and workshop-style classes offered by the Institute, and the Peace Prayer focus.
Beth then introduced Joan Shea, originator of the email peace class, who remarked that there are now approximately 700 participants in the IIWP Worldwide Peace Prayer. She led us in a deeply loving meditation for Peace on Earth, while a large and beautiful visual image of the planet was up on the video screens. If you’d like to participate in the Peace Prayer, you can sign up at www.iiwp.org/peaceprayer.html.
Deborah Allen-Segal returned to the microphone, and introduced Denise Lumiere, who sang a song she had composed entitled “Peace Be Still” while accompanying herself on guitar. This was followed by Angel Gibson, Kevin McMillan and Barbara Wieland leading all of the assembly in a spirited rendition of “Let There Be Peace on Earth, and Let it Begin With Me.”
Nick Segal (in his mellifluous baritone voice) made a sweetly touching introduction of John Morton. John Morton began by referring to the previous John-Roger video clip, and restated that each of us is a Place of Peace, if we choose that. He referred to a Google search he had made earlier in the day for the words “Jesus and Peace”, and said that the first reference was to the book of Matthew in the Bible, Verse 11:28. John discussed what that reference meant for him, and in particular that peace is choice, regardless of the circumstances. He told a brief story about a member of his family, and described how Peace was working in that moment.
One of the keys to Peace, John said, is the “cessation of againstness”, and he defined cessation as stopping. He referred again to the Bible, this time to Matthew 28:29, which sets out some promises made by Jesus the Christ to his Disciples. He discussed these at length, as well as a story about Mahatma Gandhi, and how he worked to end unfair legal practices in South Africa, standing up to “againstness”.
In a spirited moment, John stated that we might ask ourselves to be stronger than we have been. And then he asked, What would it be worth to live in a world of Peace? Beyond this, he discussed IIWP, and where it is going. In closing, John pronounced Peace Prayers: Peace, Be Still. God bless you. I love you. I give you my peace. Choose this day to live in Peace. John closed with the words “Baruch Bashan,” which means “The Blessings Already Are.”
Marjorie Eaton closed the evening by playing a lovely (and peaceful) piece on her Celtic harp.
Read more articles from MSIA’s Conference of Gratitude 2005
- Spiritual Spa Day with John Morton
- Open Day at Peace Labyrinth & Gardens 2005
- MSIA Family Retreat at Lake Arrowhead 2005
- MSIA Gratitude Workshop
- MSIA Representatives Meeting
- MSIA Masters and Doctorate Class Graduations
- Day 1 of the Walking in the Light Workshop
- Day 2 of the Walking in the Light Workshop
- MSIA Ministers Meeting
- MSIA Initiates Meeting
- BlessingsFest Luncheon
