From September 20-28, several peninsula congregations displayed a Campaign Nonviolence banner, to build a growing awareness that we can create a world of peace, justice and environmental healing!

The photo at the left shows the Campaign Nonviolence banner that was also hung on the overpass on Embarcadero Road in Palo Alto.

Peace Potluck Picnic
Sunday, September 28, 4-6:30pm
First Congregational Church
1985 Louis Rd., Palo Alto, 94303

~share what we have learned
~discern how to move forward together
~enjoy food and friendship
~hear inspiring stories of creative nonviolence in Afghanistan
~begin - now - to build another world of peace, justice, and environmental healing

Cosponsored by Peninsula Peace & Justice Center, Pacific Life Community, American Muslim Voice, and the Network for Spiritual Progressives

Featured Speaker:
Kathy Kelly
"Moving Forward with Campaign Nonviolence and Afghanistan"

Peace activist Kathy Kelly has just returned from the summer in Afghanistan as a guest of the Afghan Peace Volunteers. Grounded in her Catholic upbringing, her courageous actions have long demonstrated a deep passion for peace, justice and human kindness.

Kelly and others lived in Baghdad during the 2003 "Shock and Awe" attack. In 2009 she lived in Gaza during the final days of the Operation Cast Lead bombing. Later that year she was part of a small delegation that went to Pakistan to learn more about the effects of U.S. drone warfare on the civilian population. She continues to join activists in various regions of our country to protest drone warfare. 

Kelly is co-founder and co-coordinator of Voices for Creative Nonviolence (VCNV). She is the author of Other Lands Have Dreams: From Baghdad to Perkins Prison (2005). She and VCNV believe that nonviolence necessarily involves simplicity, service, sharing of resources and non-violent direct action in resistance to war and oppression.

Sunday, Sept. 28
Poverty and Structural Violence, Adult Forum led by Joe Haletky, 9:15-10:15am, First Lutheran Church of Palo Alto

Worship with Peace Activist Kathy Kelly Preaching, 10:30am at First Presbyterian Church, Palo Alto

Everything Must Change: Jesus, Global Crises & a Revolution of Hope Adult Spiritual Formation Class, 11:15am, First Baptist Church of Palo Alto

Youth Workshop Exploring Conscientious Objection, second in 2 part series for ages 14-18, 12noon-2pm, First Presbyterian Church, Palo Alto

Eco-Justice for Kids, 11am, Unitarian Universalist Church, Palo Alto

"A Cubic Mile of Oil" Adult Forum, 12:15-2pm, Unitarian Universalist Church, Palo Alto

MVPJ Peace Potluck Picnic "Campaign Nonviolence: Another World Is Possible" - 4-6:30pm, First Congregational Church of Palo Alto. Featuring peace activist Kathy Kelly (just back from Afghanistan) as special speaker. We will share what we have learned and look to where we go next.

This is national Campaign Nonviolence week!
Together we can build a culture of peace for all the children of the world!
(Click on each event for details.)

Poverty and Structural Violence, Adult Forum led by Joe Haletky, 9:15-10:15am, First Lutheran Church of Palo Alto

Worship with Peace Activist Kathy Kelly Preaching, 10:30am at First Presbyterian Church, Palo Alto

Everything Must Change: Jesus, Global Crises & a Revolution of Hope Adult Spiritual Formation Class, 11:15am, First Baptist Church of Palo Alto

Youth Workshop Exploring Conscientious Objection, second in 2 part series for ages 14-18, 12noon-2pm, First Presbyterian Church, Palo Alto

Eco-Justice for Kids, 11am, Unitarian Universalist Church, Palo Alto

"A Cubic Mile of Oil" Adult Forum, 12:15-2pm, Unitarian Universalist Church, Palo Alto

MVPJ Peace Potluck Picnic "Campaign Nonviolence: Another World Is Possible" - 4-6:30pm, First Congregational Church of Palo Alto. Featuring peace activist Kathy Kelly (just back from Afghanistan) as special speaker. We will share what we have learned and look to where we go next.

Candlelight Vigil for International Day of Peace
Launching Campaign Nonviolence Week of Action
Saturday, Sept. 20, 6:30-7:30pm
Lytton Plaza, University Ave. & Emerson St. in downtown Palo Alto

Join this public witness to demonstrate that a world of peace, justice and environmental healing is possible.

Candlelight, music, readings and prayers from diverse traditions.

Everyone is welcome - all ages and walks of life.

This candlelight vigil launches the Campaign Nonviolence Week of Action, Sept. 21-28, in the mid-peninsula and across the nation.

Click here to learn more about the national Campaign Nonviolence movement.  Click here to sign the Campaign Nonviolence Pledge.  For more information about local events, click here.

Since its founding in 2003, Multifaith Voices for Peace & Justice has consisted of a small circle of clergy and laypeople who comprise its steering committee and plan peace events attended by a much larger audience.  Over time, members of the committee have felt the press of other obligations and reluctantly left the committee, and members of the audience have expressed interest in greater participation without serving on the steering committee.  So there exists a hitherto unrecognized circle of MVPJ supporters who feel themselves to be part of MVPJ despite no formal connection.

If you are one of these supporters, MVPJ invites you to acknowledge your relationship with us by joining The MVPJ Affiliates Circle. Learn more by clicking here.

Let us transform this day into one of peace and community building.

Thursday, Sept. 11th, 5:30-7:30pm
James P. McEntee County Plaza, 70 West Hedding St., San Jose

The ability to make our country safe, secure, peaceful and harmonious lies in our own hands. 

Let us walk together the path Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. paved for us.  Together we can build a beloved, inclusive and peaceful world.

American Muslim Voice, Friends of Human Relations of Santa Clara County, multifaith groups including Multifaith Voices for Peace & Justice, community organizations and County Supervisor Dave Cortese invite you to this annual Peace Picnic. 

Enjoy a multifaith service, children's performaces, a light dinner, peace dove release and candlelight vigil.  

There are now more than 20 local opportunities to participate in Campaign Nonviolence!  Click on each event for full information. Like us on Facebook by going to https://facebook.com/multifaithpeace.  Click here to learn more about how to get your congregation or organization involved.

Saturday, Sept. 20
International Day of Peace Vigil to launch week of Campaign Nonviolence, 6:30pm, Lytton Plaza, Palo Alto

Sunday, Sept. 21
CA Drought & Our Water Supply, Adult Forum, 9am, Unitarian Universalist Church of Palo Alto

Poverty and Structural Violence, Adult Forum led by Joe Haletky, 9:15-10:15am, First Lutheran Church, Palo Alto

Nonviolence and Hebrew Sacred Texts, Adult Forum with Rabbi Sheldon Lewis, 11:15am, First Congregational Church of Palo Alto

Everything Must Change: Jesus, Global Crises & a Revolution of Hope, Adult Spiritual Formation Class, 11:15am, First Baptist Church of Palo Alto

What if they gave a war and nobody came? Youth Workshop Exploring Conscientious Objection, 2 part series for ages 14-18, 12noon-2pm, First Presbyterian Church, Palo Alto

Eco-Justice Class, Adult Forum with Rev. Dan Harper, 12:30pm, Unitarian Universalist Church, Palo Alto

"Climate Refugees" Film, 12:30pm, Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Redwood City

"Peace in Our Streets" Sermon for the Unitarian Universalist Church of Palo Alto, 9:30 & 11am worship service, Rev. Amy Zucker Morgenstern, preaching

Northern California People's Climate Rally, 2-5pm, Oakland Lake Merritt Park Amphitheater

Tuesday, Sept. 23
"Avoiding Needless Wars" Lecture by Dr. Martin Hellman, 7pm, Los Altos Library  Click here for flyer.

"John Brown's Body" at San Quentin Prison Film and Discussion with director and actors, 7pm, First Congregational Church. Click here to learn more about the film itself.

Guns and Violence in our Communities, Adult forum with East Palo Alto residents including their Chief of Police, a Seton school graduate and teacher, and a Catholic restorative justice representative - at St. Albert the Great Church, Palo Alto (click on event for updated details)

Wednesday, Sept. 24
Making a Safer Community for our Children, Adult Forum on gun safety with former mayor of Sunnyvale Tony Spitaleri, 7pm, Unitarian Universalist Church, Palo Alto

Friday, Sept. 26
Lockheed Martin Vigil Against WMD with peace activist Kathy Kelly, 12noon, Lockheed Martin, Sunnyvale

"Surviving Progress" Film, 7:30pm, Unitarian Universalist Church, Palo Alto

Saturday, Sept. 27
Harvest Festival, benefits Friends Committee on Legislation in CA with food, fun, and a veggie beauty contest! 9am-4pm, Friends Meeting House, Palo Alto

Sunday, Sept. 28
Poverty and Structural Violence, Adult Forum led by Joe Haletky, 9:15-10:15am, First Lutheran Church of Palo Alto

Worship with Peace Activist Kathy Kelly Preaching, 10:30am at First Presbyterian Church, Palo Alto

Everything Must Change: Jesus, Global Crises & a Revolution of Hope Adult Spiritual Formation Class, 11:15am, First Baptist Church of Palo Alto

Youth Workshop Exploring Conscientious Objection, second in 2 part series for ages 14-18, 12noon-2pm, First Presbyterian Church, Palo Alto

Eco-Justice for Kids, 11am, Unitarian Universalist Church, Palo Alto

"A Cubic Mile of Oil" Adult Forum, 12:15-2pm, Unitarian Universalist Church, Palo Alto

MVPJ Peace Potluck Picnic "Campaign Nonviolence: Another World Is Possible" - 4-6:30pm, First Congregational Church of Palo Alto. Featuring peace activist Kathy Kelly (just back from Afghanistan) as special speaker. We will share what we have learned and look to where we go next.