By Christine Sheller
Monday, June 12 was host to many from both the Iowa
Methodist church conference, and others from outside the conference
participating in the Annual MFSA Peace Walk and Prayer Service, sponsored by the
Iowa Chapter of the MFSA and seven other Methodist committees/
organizations. Iowa Peace Network
participated in the conference, as the Methodist Church in Iowa is one of its
supporting denominations; with a display table in the Exhibit Hall, and so was
able to proceed to the beginning of the walk from the Events Center.
Around noon, those gathered started south of Hy Vee Hall,
and then proceeded to Cowles Commons, where the Peace Garden concept is very
alive!
Many people held signs saying thing such as: “The World Still Says No to War” and “Iowans
for Peace,” among many others.
Walkers were greeted by music at Cowles Commons, and sang a
couple of gathering songs. Attendees
received a welcome from Josh Steward, pastor of Sheridan Park UMC in Des
Moines. Dona Nobis Pacem was sung, and
then hearers heard from the bishop of the Iowa Area United Methodist Church,
Laurie Haller. She listed several issues
that are important right now, including immigration. Second, Laura Sweet, Vice President/ Chief
Operating Officer of the Des Moines Performing Arts, gave a welcome as rally
partipants were on Civic Center
property. Next, Frank Cownie, Mayor of
Des Moines spoke. Last, Aaron Smith,
Artistic Associate at Pyramid Theatre Company, presented “Excerpts from Martin
Luther King Jr’s Riverside Church Speech.”
His remarks seemed poignant for today, and it was very moving.
“Once to Ev’ry Soul
& Nation,”was sung then those gathered participated in a Litany of Wisdom,
gleaned from the peace sayings that are on the benches in Cowles Commons.
The closing song was “We are Marching in the Light of God.”
Song leaders were:
Jose Clavell, and Rita Carter.
Keyboard player was Linda Clark.
Thank you to Iowa MFSA for sponsoring and organizing this
event! It was a great event to be part
of a witness for peace in downtown Des Moines.
Christine Sheller is
coordinator and editor at Iowa Peace Network.
She is a graduate of Bethany Theological Seminary.
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