PEACE ON EARTH, GOODWILL TOWARD MEN (AND WOMEN)
Ruta and Krista Smith presenting about WFWP in Colorado
On Saturday, December 19, the Denver Chapter of WFWP gathered participants from seven to 91 years of age to share in the spirit of the holiday tradition of Christmas. Friends and family together read aloud the ideals and vision of Women's Federation for World Peace. Amens and hallelujahs punctuated the stirring statements that inspired all of us as we celebrated the culmination of a year filled with service projects and events by the WFWP Denver Chapter.
The Chapter sponsored five young people to attend WFWP's annual National Assembly in Washington, D.C., this past October. Two of the participants, Ruta and Krista Smith, twins from Colorado, attend university in Connecticut at the University of Bridgeport. They were both so poised and articulate as they related their experiences and impressions of the National Assembly. They were inspired by the professionalism of the women at the conference, and by their passion and dedication to bring substantial peace on the many levels of society. Ruta and Krista could see how their college courses in international studies, religion, political science, and philosophy can be useful in the realm of peacemaking. Krista recently accepted an internship at the WFWP UN office in New York next fall. Both sisters spoke of being empowered by attending the Assembly, and that they will continue to seek God's guidance in directing their career paths.
Rev. Dr. Linda Lucero Nishikawa
Rev. Dr. Linda Lucero Nishikawa is the CEO of the United Native American Council (UNAC). She attended the Assembly and crossed the Bridge of Peace with a Catholic archbishop. Dr. Nishikawa shared that resolving past hurts, especially those of our ancestors, is not always easy. She spoke of the pain and bewilderment of the Native Americans who were killed by Catholic clergy and missionaries in the name of God, and said that all our ancestors are around us and need liberation. She found the Bridge of Peace experience to be a substantial beginning point of healing for her and her ancestors.
Another part of the afternoon featured one of the WFWP Schools of Africa, the New Hope Technical Institute in Rwanda. Because the Denver Chapter specifically supports that school, background information about the school was shared, as well as the Chapter's plans to hold a dinner/dance fundraiser in 2016.
This was truly an international Christmas party. Songs sung in French and a medley of American Christmas favorites were part of the entertainment. There was also a drawing to win three poinsettias. The afternoon ended in reciting the Lord's Prayer in order to connect to and celebrate the true heart of the birth of Jesus 2,000 years ago. As a grand finale, everyone joined together in the classic Christmas song, "The Twelve Days of Christmas," in a kind of a round, with each table singing a stanza.
Moyna Hudgens and Hisako Geschwind
One of the guests, Ms. Moyna Hudgens, has been connected with the United Nations Association in Denver for many years. She has also been attending WFWP Denver Chapter events since 2008, and was initially invited by Mrs. Hisako Geschwind. Ms. Hudgens was very impressed with the Smith twins' testimonies about the Assembly and of Krista's upcoming internship at the WFWP UN Office. She wants Ruta and Krista to speak at the local UN organization's meeting. Ms. Hudgens attended the first Bridge of Peace ceremony when former first lady Mrs. Barbara Bush crossed the Bridge. She was also quite taken with the thought of our ancestors influencing and being around us and wants to speak more with Dr. Nishikawa.
We are grateful for the help from Pastors Michael and Adonia Hentrich, and from all of the young people in our community who helped to make our program a success.
"Peace on earth, goodwill toward men and women," was the spirit that quietly lingered in everyone's hearts.
