WFWP DMV 2nd Annual Bridge of Peace Ceremony
Written by: Kaeleigh Moffitt
On September 21, 2024, the DMV Chapters of WFWP USA hosted their 2nd Annual Bridge of Peace Ceremony in honor of the International Day of Peace. This year’s event served as a powerful reminder of the vital role women play in peacebuilding and conflict transformation, bringing together people from diverse backgrounds to foster understanding and reconciliation.
The program began with heartfelt opening remarks from Emcee Emaculate Mungye, who set the tone for the day. "By joining today’s program, you are playing an active role in saying 'yes' to forgiveness, 'yes' to change, and 'yes' to a more peaceful path forward," she shared. She encouraged all in attendance to view themselves as active contributors to the transformative power of the ceremony, emphasizing that each person’s presence was vital to the shared mission of peace.
The spirit of unity was beautifully highlighted during the Interfaith Prayer and Unity Candle Ceremony, where representatives from four different faith traditions came together to offer prayers for peace. The message was clear: by honoring our Divine Creator through various religious practices, we can unite across differences to build a more peaceful world. Each faith representative held a lit candle, symbolizing the wisdom from their tradition, and offered a short prayer of peace. Together, they lit the center candle, representing the collective contributions of all faiths in fostering global harmony.
The participants included:
Christianity: Pastor Miatta Sirleaf
Buddhism: Mrs. Priyanthi Kanakaratna
Judaism: Dr. Adina Friedman
Islam: Ms. Zebunnesa Zeba Zubair
This deeply moving ceremony demonstrated the strength of unity, with diverse faiths coming together to spread the light of peace.
Two classical duets performed by Makiko Taguchi and Jung Yeong Joo added a special touch to the event, filling the room with grace and harmony. Following the music, President Kaeleigh Moffitt shared WFWP USA’s peace philosophy, rooted in Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon’s example of embracing her enemy, Kim Il Sung of North Korea. Moffitt highlighted three key elements of peacebuilding: having a global perspective that lives for the sake of others, using the power of human agency and true love, and approaching reconciliation with the heart of an unconditional parent.
The most impactful part of the program came with the Bridge crossing ceremony, where three pairs of women crossed the Bridge of Peace, symbolizing reconciliation and unity across differences. Each pair shared their personal peace promises as they crossed, representing interracial, inter-religious, and intergenerational bonds:
Interracial: Mrs. Tsehaye Habteselasie & Ms. Highmy Her
Inter-religious: Dr. Adina Friedman & Ms. Zebunnesa Zeba Zubair
Intergenerational: Mrs. Concha Marchitelli & Mrs. Zaiya Konno
Their symbolic crossings inspired hope and commitment to healing divisions and building bridges of understanding.
The spirit of the Bridge of Peace extended to everyone in attendance as the program invited all participants to take part in the bridge crossing. Women paired up, shared their personal peace promises, and crossed the bridge together, affirming their commitment to peace and reconciliation in their own lives. This interactive moment made the day not only symbolic but deeply personal for each attendee.
The DMV Bridge of Peace Ceremony was not just an event, but a call to action for all women. By actively engaging in forgiveness, understanding, and unity, women can transform their communities and, in turn, the world. As the event concluded, participants left empowered, reminded of their vital role in peacebuilding, and ready to carry the spirit of the Bridge of Peace into their daily lives.