Many Streams, One River: Grand Junction Unites for International Day of Peace
When inclement weather threatened to rain out an outdoor gathering in Grand Junction, Colorado, the pastor of the local United Methodist Church opened her sanctuary doors without hesitation. Seventeen dedicated community members and faith leaders filed inside, setting the stage for a deeply moving International Day of Peace observance centered on a vital theme: "Standing Together for Religious Freedom."
Hosted by Antonio and Gale Alves of the Peace Starts with Me (PSWM) Alliance, the gathering brought together a remarkably diverse tapestry of belief traditions. Representatives included the city’s Mayor (representing Judaism), a Catholic chaplain, an LDS Bishop, a Baha'i faith leader, the pastor of the United Methodist host church, the president of the Grand Valley Interfaith Network, an American Lutheran member, and leadership from Women of Faith and PSWM.
Gale Alves welcomed attendees by framing religious freedom not as an abstract principle, but as an essential, foundational component of global peace. She shared insights into Mother Moon’s peace work with PSWM, her Nobel Peace Prize nomination, and the urgent ongoing need to defend religious rights around the world.
The centerpiece of the day was a beautiful, visual symbolic ritual. Participants gathered around a table lined with goblets of brightly colored water, each color representing a distinct faith tradition. One by one, leaders offered a heartfelt prayer for peace and freedom before pouring their goblet into a single communal bowl—a powerful representation of distinct streams flowing into unity.
The spirit of mutual respect echoed through every word shared:
"Learn something new from another faith that inspires you and add it to your own," encouraged the LDS Bishop.
"I try to accept everyone where they are at, and strive to demonstrate my faith by my actions," offered the Catholic Chaplain.
"I always feel spiritually invigorated by your events... and carry it with me for several days," expressed the Baha'i leader.
As the program concluded with warm applause for Antonio and Gale Alves, everyone left with renewed hope and a shared commitment to standing by one another in faith.
