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May Peace Prevail Upon the Earth
Our Peace with Justice Sunday this year was May 18, and perhaps no date on the church calendar was more appropriate to honor the memory of Wilma Mosholder. For many years Wilma's quiet presence in our midst was a witness to the alternative of peace and justice over-against the destruction of war and violence. A Peace Pole bearing the inscription "May Peace Prevail Upon the Earth" in twelve languages was installed in our church yard and dedicated to Wilma's memory on that day, attesting to all who pass by to the biblical witness of the holy purpose of God for a world in which peace and justice prevail. Those wishing to contribute to this memorial may do so through the church office.
The Chancel Choir sang the traditional Latin
Dona Nobis Pacem before the Benediction.
The Peace Pole Project
Peace Poles are handcrafted monuments erected the world over as international symbols of peace. Their purpose is to spread the message "May peace prevail on earth" in a different language, one on each side.
Members of the congregation join in the
dedication, "that our children may play
under this prayer and grow into adulthood
contemplating its meaning."
When ordering the Peace Pole, a choice was given regarding languages to be placed on your pole. The languages on our pole are Turkish, Spanish, Russian, Lenni-Lenape, Chinese, Arabic, Hebrew, Urdu, Albanian, Greek, French and English. Some of these have real significance for Wilma, such as Turkish, because she taught in Turkey and Spanish, because she was a librarian in Puerto Rico at a Protestant seminary. The Biblical languages are Greek and Hebrew. Other languages chosen are Lenni-Lenape, the language of the local native Americans in our area; Albanian, our sexton, Skender Elbansani's native language; Urdu, because parishioner Alexander Daniel and his family are Pakistani; and Arabic.
Dr. Andrew Mosholder reads selected
passages from his Aunt Wilma's
Christmas letters.
We hope each person passing the Peace Pole will think peace in their heart and carry that message with them.
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