15th Annual Parade for International Day of Peace

Fifth grade students at Eastern Mennonite Elementary School led the annual Peace Parade for their schoolmates on Monday, Sept. 21, the International Day of Peace.

It was the 15th year that older students planned and led the parade featuring a super size peace dove puppet and the first time the parade took place at the newly renovated elementary building.

The students processed to the school’s soccer field wearing face coverings and spaced apart behind the puppet. Fifth graders read the book I am Peace, A Book of Mindfulness by Susan Verde with illustrations by Peter H. Reynolds. Maria Archer, K-8 principal read the Prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi (words below). And students processed back to the song Living in the Heart of God, by Jan Garrett and JD Martin.

Established in 1981 by unanimous United Nations resolution, the International Day of Peace “provides a globally shared date for all humanity to commit to peace above all differences and to contribute to building a culture of peace,” according to the program’s website.

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace
Where there is hatred, let me sow love
Where there is injury, pardon
Where there is doubt, faith
Where there is despair, hope
Where there is darkness, light
And where there is sadness, joy
O Divine Master, grant that I may
Not so much seek to be consoled as to console
To be understood, as to understand
To be loved, as to love
For it is in giving that we receive
And it’s in pardoning that we are pardoned
And it’s in dying that we are born to Eternal Life
Amen