Mary recently sent in this detailed report about the 13 Moon Walk 4 Peace team’s activities while they were on the west coast…
Walking through sunny California in the springtime was full of scenic views of green farmlands, vineyards, horse farms, as well as the beautiful Pacific coastline. Strawberry fields forever.
The 13 Moon Walk 4 Peace arrived in Carmel, CA. on April 1, where they were hosted at the home of PK McCarey for a week. On Sunday, April 3, they were guests of Rev. Deborah Johnson at the Inner Light Ministries in Santa Cruz. That afternoon included a brunch and a signed copy of Rev. Deborah’s book, “The Sacred Yes”, followed by a walk along the beach and through a redwood forest. On Monday, April 4, the group was invited to speak at the Monterey Institute of International Studies. Audri, Karen, David, Baba Ojiji, and Mary each spoke on the topic of Conflict Resolution to the students during the 2 hour program.
On Wednesday, April 6, they were guests of Juan Carlos in Salinas, to tour the Cezar Chavez library, The Bread Basket Community Center after school program for kids, and the 2nd Chance program that provides gang prevention, education, and awareness.
The group arrived in San Jose on Friday, April 8, where host Pat Murray sponsored their stay at Saratoga Springs Campground. Saturday, April 9, was the San Jose walk a mile for peace and peace pole planting ceremony at the Divine Science Community Center. On Sunday, April 10, at the Unity Community Church, Audri gave an inspiring sermon, “It begins in the Heart” to the congregation.
The next stop in California was Oakland, where the team stayed in the parking lot of the First Congregational Church of Oakland, from April 12 – 23. The team attended a program at the Allen Temple Baptist Church called, “Truth-Telling, Justice and Reconciliation” on April 15. The Walk-a-Mile-for-Peace was on SaturdaY, April 16, in the Point Richmond Park with the 94 year old peace walker, Alice Withers. Sunday, April 17th was an “Upwising for Peace” with Steve Bhaerman aka Swami Beyondananda at the Presidio Chapel in San Francisco, which was all for fun and fun for all. The team was back at the Presidio in San Francisco on Tuesday April 19th for a luncheon and discussion with the United Religions Initiative (URI). Wednesday evening, the 20th, was the screening of the film, “For the Next 7 Generations” at the Humanist Hall in Oakland. The next night the group had dinner with Jyoti, the Spiritual Director for the Center of Sacred Studies and the organizer for the Council of the 13 Indigenous Grandmothers, along with Grandmothers Agnes and Rita. They attended another showing of the film that night in Berkeley, and were invited to join the Grandmothers for lunch the next day during their presentation at The Humanist Hall.
The team ended their California stay with a water healing ceremony before they drove their caravan east for Easter.
