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Remembrance Service
Sunday, April 24, 2022
3:00 pm
“Walking together as active peacemakers”
and
“Remembering those who have died at the hand of violence, their loved ones, those who commit violence, those who live in fear, and those who work for peace.”
Music by Fire and Brimstone Duo
Featuring Lori and Phil Norris
Invocation
Rev. Taryn Whittington
Christ the King Catholic Church
Welcome
Mary Hunt
Pilgrimage for Peace
The Rock Cries Out to Us Today
Read by Kwami & Lorne Abdul-Bey
Arkansas Peace & Justice Memorial Movement
Each of you a bordered country,
Delicate and strangely made proud,
Yet thrusting perpetually under siege.
Your armed struggles for profit
Have left collars of waste upon
My shore, currents of debris upon my breast.
Yet, today I call you to my riverside,
If you will study war no more.
Come, clad in peace and I will sing the songs
The Creator gave to me when I
And the tree and stone were one.
Maya Angelou
Remembering those in our community who have died in the past year by the hand of violence…
Names read by Kathy Webb
Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance
Jimmie Johnson, Zachary Bascue, Bradford Bankston, Lawrence Parker, Jimmie Hadley, Paul Oliver, Jose Bustos, Rickey Braggs, Eric Rounds, Martina Edmondson, Benito Guzman-Martinez, Christopher Moritz, 6 unidentified victims
Let us remember…. Silence.
An ayah from the Holy Quran:
Read by Wendy Moursi
Islamic Center of Little Rock
“O Mankind! We have created you from a male and female, and made you into nations and tribes, that you may know one another. Verily, the most honorable of you with Allah is that who is most pious.” (49:13)
Remembering those in our community who have died in the past year by the hand of violence…
Names read by Ruby Annette Carter Welch
Dream Corps
Christina Clay, Ja’Aliyah Hughes, Tera’Lynn Cantrell, Darryl Porter, Brian McDowell, Arianna Staggers, Mekhyree Hammonds, Dominic Tillman, Amy Stuckey Duvall, Azhyrion Johnson, Deshon Stokes, Deonte Smith, Marlon Franklin, Learthur Shelton, Jr.
Let us remember…. Silence
For Three Leaders, For the World
Read by Annabelle Tuck
Congregation B’nai Israel
G-d of compassion,
Put an end to the war in the Ukraine
And all wars throughout the world.
Look with favor on the refugees,
The homeless, the wounded,
The suffering, the starving,
And the newly bereaved.
Grant a perfect rest
Under Your canopy of peace
To those who have perished
At the ugly hand of war.
Extend Your canopy of peace
From the highest heavens
To this earth.
Bless Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky
With continued strength and resolve
To defend his people against the onslaught,
Inspiring world sympathy and support.
Bless U.S. President Joe Biden
With wisdom and skill to face the challenge of history
As Europe prepares for a broader conflict
And fears world war.
Bless Russian President Vladimir Putin
With a change of mind,
A change of heart and soul,
To release the tools of war,
To pick up the tools of peace.
G-d of peace,
Release the citizens of Ukraine
From occupation and war.
Grant them resilience and vitality.
Give them comfort and hope.
End this violence and suffering.
For life renewed.
For healing and building.
For a better world.
“Let justice come in waves like water
And righteousness flow like a river” (Amos 5:24),
So that “nation shall not lift up sword against nation,
Neither shall they learn war anymore” (Isaiah 2:4).
By Alden Solovy
Remembering those in our community who have died in the past year by the hand of violence…
Names read by Mary Cantwell
Women’s Action for New Directions WAND
Jackie Gipson, Devontay Allen, Andrea Verser, Roderick Shelby, Douglas Lee Bennett, Andrew Isaiah Jackson, Caleb Sykes, Tasha Johnson, Keyshawn Moseby, Catreal Miller, Terra Horton, Jayvian Coakley, Mary Mills, Marcus Cole
Let us remember…. Silence
Prayer for Peace
Read by Sr Iliana Aponte, DC
Sisters of Charity
Lord prince of peace, hear our prayers that we bring to you from the depths of our hearts. Today, as we gather on this 8th pilgrimage of peace, we remember all those who have died because of the violence, war and hatred in our world. We join our voices into one and ask that our prayer rise like incense in your presence with the raising of our hands.
For many years, we have faced the conflict of war, persecution, hatred and evil. Today once again we listen to news that shows how blood continues to spill leaving families to suffer, left alone, aimless, without hope. Here we stand in solidarity to pray for our brothers and sisters who face this weight of pain, suffering and loneliness.
Lord, come to our aid, move our hearts, guide our steps on paths of peace. You tell us: Peace I leave you, peace I give you. A peace that the world cannot give. Comfort our grieving hearts, teach us your peace, guide our steps along the path of peace. Open our eyes and help us to look at your face, open our ears and help us to hear your voice and open our hearts and help us to love like you. Let there be no more war. Let there be no more losses. You instill in us the courage to take concrete steps to achieve peace, justice, and love.
Lord, help us to be instruments of your peace that where there is hatred, we learn how to bring love, that where there is insult, forgiveness, where there is darkness, we share your light, where there is sadness, your joy. Help us to keep alive the flame of hope, where with patience and perseverance we can be instruments that promote dialogue and reconciliation. May we tear out of our hearts the words of hatred, division and war and make peace, justice, and love triumph.
Lord, we ask you for all who are suffering as a result of war, hatred, violence to find friendly hands, comforting voices and people who can show them that you are with them and do not abandon them. May those who have died unexpectedly behold your face of love and mercy. May their remaining family members find comfort, hope and peace.
Lord, renew our minds and hearts that we can unite together as brothers and sisters and walk together on the path of life where we can cry out with one voice: Shalom, Peace, Salaam, Paz! Amen
Sister Iliana Aponte
Remembering those in our community who have died in the past year by the hand of violence…
Names read by Donnal Walter
Arkansas Coalition for Peace & Justice
Darion Threets, Albert Riddick, Keyeon Dukes, Joshua Olscwa, David Allen Brown, Ronnie Smith, Timothy Beeles II, Kendrick Sisa, Daniel Dunnahoo, Adrian Jennings, Treyvon Abernathy, Jaylon England, James Reed, Garanno Fowler
Let us remember…. Silence
Universal Peace Prayer
Read by Molly & Moriah Mitchell
Second Baptist Church Downtown
We are standing in your presence to pray for peace and harmony.
We pray for a day when your love envelops the earth.
A day when spirits that unite us are stronger than
the forces that divide us.
A day when all people are one no matter what color, race, or religion.
Please grant us compassion to care for all creations;
love to keep us strong; and acceptance to reduce hatred.
Please guide our hearts through understanding,
So we may coexist in harmony, and
universal peace may prevail the earth. Amen!
Multi-Faith Youth Group of Arkansas
Remembering those in our community who have died in the past year by the hand of violence…
Names read by Rosalyn and Tim Pruitt
Diocesan Council of Black Catholics
JaMichael Petty, Shunterris Salter, Adrian Smith, Michael Littles, Trammell Shelton, Devven Davis, Anthony Nelson, Bertrand White, Broderick Parker, Xavier Johnson, Qortavious Reed, Sad’e Turner, Donny Lynn Mckuin
Let us remember…. Silence
Verses from the Doctrine and Covenants
Read by Elder Matthew Bryant
Pastor, Community of Christ
Little Rock & North Little Rock
3a. Open your hearts and feel the yearnings of your brothers and sisters who are lonely, despised, fearful, neglected, unloved. Reach out in understanding, clasp their hands, and invite all to share in the blessings of community created in the name of the One who suffered on behalf of all.
b. Do not be fearful of one another. Respect each life journey, even in its brokenness and uncertainty, for each person has walked alone at times. Be ready to listen and slow to criticize, lest judgments be unrighteous and unredemptive.
c. Be patient with one another, for creating sacred community is arduous and even painful. But it is to loving community such as this that each is called. Be courageous and visionary, believing in the power of just a few vibrant witnesses to transform the world. Be assured that love will overcome the voices of fear, division, and deceit.
d. Understand that the road to transformation travels both inward and outward. The road to transformation is the path of the disciple.
4a. Do not neglect the smallest among you, for even the least of these are treasures in God’s sight. Receive the giftedness and energy of children and youth, listening to understand their questions and their wisdom. Respond to their need to be loved and nurtured as they grow.
b. Be mindful of the changing of life’s seasons, of the passage from the springtime of childhood and youth to the winter years of life. Embrace the blessing of your many differences. Be tender and caring. Be reminded once again that the gifts of all are necessary in order that divine purposes may be accomplished.
7. The Spirit of the One you follow is the spirit of love and peace. That Spirit seeks to abide in the hearts of those who would embrace its call and live its message. The path will not always be easy, the choices will not always be clear, but the cause is sure and the Spirit will bear witness to the truth, and those who live the truth will know the hope and the joy of discipleship in the community of Christ. Amen.
Doctrine and Covenants 161: 3a-4b, 7 (April, 1996) (Doctrine and Covenants is a compilation of revelations, given to members of the Community of Christ through the Prophet/President and accepted by World Conference resolution.)
Remembering those in our community who have died in the past year by the hand of violence…
Names read by Sandee Haslauer
Pax Christi Little Rock
Austin Williams, James Booth, Robert Hubbard, Michael Brown, Kindylen Robert’s, Jason Watson, Olando Gods, Calista Anderson, Taylor Davis, David Dunn, Rodney Ware, Freddie Baker, Andre Griggs, Dontorius Hickey
Let us remember…. Silence
World Peace True Peace
Read by Dr. Anika Whitfield
Arkansas Poor People’s Campaign
World peace through nonviolent means is neither absurd nor unattainable. All other methods have failed. Thus we must begin anew. Nonviolence is a good starting point. Those of us who believe in this method can be voices of reason, sanity, and understanding amid the voices of violence, hatred, and emotion. We can very well set a mood of peace out of which a system of peace can be built.
Martin Luther King, Jr., December 1964
True Peace is not merely the absence of tension; it is the presence of justice.
Stride Toward Freedom, 1958
Remembering those in our community who have died in the past year by the hand of violence…
Names read by Dr. April Chatham-Carpenter
Braver Angels Central Arkansas
Broderick Patrick, Robert Schram, Gary Thomas, Casey Richards, Kenneth West, Justin Moore, Barney Doles, Jeremiah Brown, D’Mahre Dillard, Jadon Shackelford, Detonio Davis, Braxton Hale, Andre Luckey
Let us remember…. Silence
Never Give Up
Read by Caroline Stevenson
Pilgrimage for Peace
Never give up
No matter what is going on
Never give up
Develop the heart
Too much energy in your country
Is spent developing the mind
Instead of the heart
Be Compassionate
Not just to your friends
But to everyone
Be compassionate
Work for peace
In your heart and in the world
Work for peace
In your heart and in the world
Work for peace
And I say again
Never give up
No matter what is happening
No matter what is going on around you
Never give up.
Dalai Lama
Journal of the Tibetan Society of the UK
Winter 1999/2000
Closing Reflections
Sherry Simon
Pax Christi Little Rock
All proceeds from the 2022 Pilgrimage for Peace will be donated to the Center for Healing Hearts & Spirits to be used in their Victims Services program.
Many thanks to our to our 2022 Pilgrimage for Peace Sponsors, Contributors, and Partners!
Please click here to see their names on our Community Sponsors’ page.
The Beacon of Peace and Hope
Designed by Jerry Currence
Taggart Foster Currence Gray Architects
The Symbolic Design
The highest light represents PEACE and the lower, HOPE. PEACE is elevated because it is tangible and achievable. It represents one of the highest and yet most elusive goals in today’s violent world. The HOPE light is lowered and reverent. It is below the surface. It is not tangible. It is personal and represents individual dreams.
The main structure resembles heavy timbers lashed together. These represent strength and stability. These structures are designed to be strong enough to hold massive ships in the place against moving currents, tidal forces and the strong winds that would sweet them away. It is symbolic of the steadfastness required to secure the ideas of Peace and Hope in a world where both are in constant peril.
PEACE and HOPE are held by a single element, not separated by supports, but by a single elegant curve. This curved armature represents the connections between these two ideas. It symbolizes the common thread the binds PEACE to HOPE and HOPE to PEACE.
We desire that this sculpture will inspire those who view it to think of a world where PEACE and HOPE survive hand in hand. It is our goal that the Beacon will inspire people to find ways to advance the ideals of PEACE and HOPE and to share them with their descendants. Without the young there is no one to carry on. Without PEACE and HOPE, there is no reason to.
Make peace is the soldier’s cry
To the angry world outside.
The shells that “purge” the cities and villages
Will not silence their voices.
No blame is to be placed. No shame is to be lived.
Please no more screams.
By Frederick “Sandy” Phillips
One of 270 victims of the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland
December 21, 1988
BEACON OF PEACE AND HOPE
A gift to the people of Arkansas.
Dedicated to all who aspire to live in a world
of peace and justice and who are
actively working to accomplish that goal.
With thanks to all who
contributed to make this memorial possible.
Arkansas Women’s Action for New Directions
City of North Little Rock
Please support our 2022 Sponsors, Contributors, and Partners!
Please click here to go to our Community Sponsors page.