The first is on September 11th; a multi-faith peace walk and hosted picnic. This is open to those of any faith -- or those who are for peace, whether or not you have faith or spirituality in your life. Register or get more information.
Gather, Opening Program & Begin Walk: Congregation Etz Chayim Synagogue and Spark Church, 4161 Alma St., Palo Alto
Concluding Program & Picnic: American Muslim Voice hosted picnic at Mitchell Park, 600 East Meadow Drive, Palo Alto, beginning about 4:30pm
Walk length: 2.5 mile (Free shuttles from Mitchell Park to parking at Etz Chayim and Spark Church will leave at 5pm, 5:30pm and 6pm.)
"We invite people from all walks of life, from diverse faiths or no particular faith, all colors of the rainbow, children, youth and adults, left, right, and center, to walk united in our diversity, in solidarity as one human family. We walk to show our community and our world that we say "No" to fear and division and "YES" to friendship and peace."
Currently almost 40 faith organizations are involved: Sponsoring Communities: All Saints Episcopal Church PA; American Muslim Voice; Baha'i Community of Palo Alto; Bend the Arc: A Jewish Partnership for Justice; Berkeley Masjid; Congregation Beth Am; Congregation Emek Beracha; Congregation Etz Chayim; Congregation Kol Emeth; Council on American Islamic Relations (San Francisco Bay Area Chapter); First Baptist Church PA; First Congregational Church PA; First Lutheran Church PA; First Presbyterian Church PA; First United Methodist Church PA; Grace Lutheran Church PA; Islamic Networks Group; Multifaith Voices for Peace & Justice; Muslim American Society of Bay Area; MVPA Musalla Muslim Worship Place; Oshman Family Jewish Community Center; Palo Alto Friends Meeting (Quakers); Palo Alto Human Relations Commission; Rebuilding Alliance; Region 7, Sathya Sai International Organization USA; South Bay Islamic Association; Spark Church; St. Andrews United Methodist Church; St. Mark's Episcopal Church PA; St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Community of Palo Alto; Stanford University - Office for Religious Life; Unitarian Universalist Church PA Social Action Council; Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Los Gatos; University AME Zion Church; University Lutheran Church.
When I was a girl in the 60's and 70's, I participated in many peace walks. I look forward to this one. I hope you'll introduce yourself to me if you come.
The second event is the MEADOWLARK FATHERS’ GRIEF RETREAT. A Weekend for Fathers Grieving the Loss of a Child. It will be held October 28-29-30, 2016 in Sebastopol, CA.
The weekend retreat is designed specifically for fathers who have suffered the death of a child. It provides participants a safe place to share their stories, experiences, emotions, and learned wisdom with other bereaved dads. It offers an opportunity for healing, respite, compassion, support and community with other fathers on a similar journey.
The retreat is professionally facilitated by Kara (Palo Alto) grief counselors, with help from Tim Griffith Foundation staff and volunteers.
To register or for further information.
We live in such a rich, diverse community, with so many wonderful activities and resources. I hope you will join in one or both of these events.
