Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration in Palo Alto
Sunday, January 17, 3pm
via Zoom

"If you can't fly then run
if you can't run then walk,
if you can't walk then crawl,
but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward."

Where do we go from here? We Keep Moving Forward!

An inspiring time for multifaith, multigenerational voices -- singing, dancing and exhorting: A Way Forward!

ADVANCED REGISTRATION REQUIRED! Cllick here to register for this year's virtual celebration. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. You will also receive a reminder of the event with a link to connect.

Featured speakers include the Rev. Dr. Debra Murray, pastor of First United Methodist Church of Palo Alto and Rabbi Sheldon Lewis, Rabbi Emeritus of Congregation Kol Emeth and student of Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel, a colleague of Dr. King.  Hear music from Jamey Heath from the Baha'i tradition, and a poem by Naiel Ahmed Chaudry, 6th grader at Bullis Charter School in Los Altos.

Let Us Heal
by Naiel Chaudry

It is hard to unsee after having seen
Such a painful unforgettable scene

Families being separated and shaken
Children in their mothers arms, being taken

Hearing their calls for help and screams
Watching their teary eyes and broken dreams

They were left with no choice but to give in
This battle for freedom they could not win

I remember the day that led to today
We lost our American soul that day

With a vicious stroke of a powerful pen
Lives were changed of muslim women and men

That is what led to our nation's heartbreak
It was for sure not a trivial mistake

They were left with no choice but to give in
This battle for freedom they could not win

MLK's dream had long been shattered
As if his people had never really mattered

The departed souls leaving behind sadness
All because of someone's raging madness

I walked with hundreds at a rally and cried
For what happened has left us all horrified

They were left with no choice but to give in
This battle for freedom they could not win

As we stand here today, closing one door
We are left with the choice of peace or war

Let us start this new year hand in hand
As we heal ourselves and our beautiful land

On January 21, 2021, let us come together across the country to recommit to building a nation with liberty and justice for ALL.

Multifaith Voices for Peace and Justice is excited to join The Revolutionary Love Project, along with other faith and civic organization throughout the country for this national event!

The People's Inauguration will be a celebration of what is possible.
Sound government is necessary - but it won't heal and transition America into a society where we are all free.
This work belongs to us, the people.

After years of injustice and division, we need a moment of collective renewal and healing. Let's create a moral vision for the America we are capable of becoming.

 Imagine millions of us making our own oaths - to our core values, to each other, to ourselves.

Be a part of The People Inauguration from wherever you are! CLICK HERE to register now!

MVPJ hosted PEACEFUL PRESENCE
Monday, Jan. 11, 2021, 7pm

In light of the violence and brokenness we face
as individuals and as a nation,
this Peaceful Presence features
faith leaders from our local community calling us to
come together and move toward healing and justice.

JOIN US for
INSPIRATION ~ PRAYER ~ SILENCE ~ SONG ~ COMMITMENT

CLICK HERE to download a PDF of the PEACEFUL PRESENCE PROGRAM.

Speakers:
Rev. Dean Koyama, Minister, Palo Alto Buddhist Temple
Dr. Mohammad Nadeem, President, Muslim Community Association of the Bay Area
Rev. Dr. Debra Murray, Senior Pastor, First United Methodist Church of Palo Alto
Rabbi Jonathan Prosnit, Associate Rabbi, Congregation Beth Am, Los Altos Hills
Music from the Baha'i and the Unitarian Universalist traditions

Gathering Musice begins at 6:55pm:
Pete Seeger singing "This Land is Your Land" at the "We Are One" Presidential Inaugural Concert in 2009

An unprecedented election in unprecedented times calls for prayer, peace and action. Here are some opportunities (some virtual and some on the streets) that MVPJ recommends.

The Days After Election Day

Friends (Quaker) Talk with an Election Expert: After the Elections, Now What?
Thursday, Nov. 5, 1pm PST
Join Diane Randall, director of Friends Committee on National Legislation online for a post-election day interview with Myrna Perez, director of voting rights and elections democracy at the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University Law School. Click here to register.

Protect the Results is a national movement organizing local actions after the election.
Click here to find updated information about events locally and all over the country.

Feed your Spirit with Ella's Song (We who believe in freedom cannot rest), by Bernice Johnson Reagan performed by San Jose State University Choirs. Click here for youtube performance.

Campaign Nonviolence (with whom MVPJ works closely) has a rich list of Election Action Suggestions. 

FAITH LEADERS are urged to sign this letter calling on the Supreme Court to ensure every vote is counted. Join Auburn Seminary, Bend the Arc, Faith in Public Life, Faith in Action and Sojourners. Note a faith leader? Then please reach out personally and urge the leader of your faith community to sign.

Please join the Rev. Debra Murray (First United Methodist Church, Palo Alto) and film producer Mac Heller for a virtual sceening of the film Riggged: The Voter Suppression Playbook followed by live Q&A.

Sunday, September 20, 7PM (PDT)

Click here to register on the Eventbrite page and a Zoom link with be sent to you 48 hours in advance of the event.

Multifaith Peace Picnic & Prayers
Friday, Sept. 11, 5:30-6:45pm (NOTE EARLIER START TIME!)
Hosted by American Muslim Voice
Let us move from fear to friendship!

This annual event always hosted with American Muslim Voice will be held virtually this year.
5:30 - Multifaith Prayers and Program
Prayers from diverse faith traditions, poems for peace written and read by children, and featured speakers:
  - Rev. Dr. Emma Jordon-Simpson - Executive Director of Fellowship of Reconciliation
  - Nancy Meyer - Member of Peaceful Tomorrows and sister-in-law of 9/11 Flight victim Lauren Catuzzi Grandcolas
  - Dr. Dot Maver - Peacebuilder, educator, co-founder of Global Silent Minute, National Peace Academy USA
Closing ceremony: Light the night for peace and justice

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

Everyone is welcome!
We invite you, your friends and your family
to be a part of this community building event.

Use the Zoom link below to join us!

"I'm really asking and encouraging everyone in Wisconsin and abroad to take a moment and examine your hearts. Citizens, police officers, firemen, clergy, politicans: do Jacob justice on this level and examine your hearts.

We need healing.

As I pray for my son's healing - physically and emotionally and spiritually - I also have been praying even before this for the healing of our country. 

God has placed each and every one of us here in this country because He wanted us to be here."

Click here to watch and hear Julia Jackson's full and very moving speech (August 25, 2020) on youtube.