From the IMAGES OF PEACE ON EARTH art exhibit brochure: “Over a year and a half ago, my wife, Carolyn, and I visited the Peace Memorials in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. We asked ourselves, ‘How can we bring this home? How can we share the impact of the absolute need for peace in a world where nuclear bombs proliferate?’ In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus said, ‘Blessed are the peacemakers.’ How do you and I become peacemakers? It is our hope that this exhibition, and the five July/August Sunday morning (9 am) peace forums (along with the Hihon Hidankyo poster panel display at each of the forums), will help us in our mutual vocation.
This exhibit is being displayed in the Cathedral for the entire month of August. It commemorates the atom bombings of the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki 65 years ago.The remaining two forums on Sunday August 15, and 22 (9am, Guild Room) are meant to continue our growing awareness of the tragedy of war and possible ways of achieving peace on earth beginning with ourselves.
August 15 Forum – Members of the Non-Violent Peace Force – an international organization which mediates small conflicts around the world will share with us their methods of resolution. These methods can provide us with a model of making peace in our own lives, with our families and friends, and in the larger community and in the world. Time for discussion will follow the presentation.
August 22 Forum – Dialogue with Dr. Mike Inoue, Honorary Japanese Consul for San Diego; Sheri Shively, a Quaker Chaplain for the U.S. Army; and Roena Oestling, a Quaker who has integrated peace principals into her professional and personal life. What insights have we gained during the August exhibition and forums? What are the implications for us as we seek to live a life of peace? Canon Lief will facilitate the discussion.
Come and visit the exhibit. Take time to reflect on the art. I have found that as I spend some time focusing on one piece of art that holds my attention, I have the opportunity of discovering something deeper that I didn’t see before. I hope this will be your experience as well. And then, come to the remaining forums where we share with others our reflections as we seek together to be and build a more peaceful world.
– The Rev. Canon Richard Lief, St. Paul’s Cathedral Canon for the Performing and Visual Arts
