A Benediction in which all present share in a sacred Native American/First Nation water ceremony will be one of the highlights of the local celebration of the Interfaith, International Day of Prayer for Peace, to be held on Saturday, Sept. 20, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Manassas Church of the Brethren, 10047 Nokesville Road in Manassas.
The theme of Unity in the Community’s 8th annual event is “Sharing Water, Sharing Air, Sharing Our World in Peace,” and this year’s celebration involves 17 local faith communities and seven community groups. Joelle Novey, Executive Director of Greater Washington Interfaith Power and Light, an interfaith group building a national religious response to the climate crisis, is the keynote speaker. Susan Dommer will direct a community choir singing “K’Ayal Ta’arong/Psalm 42” composed by Unitarian Universalist, Nick Page. Music will also be provided by the Sikh Temple of Virginia.
The celebration is open to the public, and all attendees are invited to bring three things: 1) two ounces or less of sacred water from your tap, rain barrel, favorite stream or ocean to share in the water ceremony; 2) a dish to share in the World Café meal and dialogue that follows the service; and 3) donations of canned or dried goods for SERVE/NVFS and ACTS. There will be displays by participating groups in the fellowship hall.
Unity in the Community began in 1995 with the mission to cultivate an appreciation of the cultural heritages present in Prince William County, Manassas, and Manassas Park, Virginia; to promote cross-cultural understanding; to instruct all citizens in anti-bias skills, cultural diversity and basic human rights; to educate the public about the laws and consequences of hate crimes and other hate activities; to involve our communities more actively in preventing, stopping, and responding to these crimes and activities, and to engage all citizens in the active realization of these goals.
Past local venues for the Interfaith, International Day of Prayer for Peace have included gathering at the Peace Pole on the corner of Grant and Lee in Manassas, at Congregation Ner Shalom, St. Paul United Methodist Church, Wat Lao Buddhavong, First AME Church in Manassas and twice at Dar Al Noor.
For more information, contact Illana Naylor.
