At the Inter-Faith Trinity Conference on Religion and Violence

Dear Friends,

It was a great gift for many last week when the Trinity Conference on Religion and Violence presented four internationally known scholars who spoke on the relationship of religion and violence. What was especially meaningful was that each speaker came from a different religious tradition and spoke from a deeply personal perspective...one born out of years of experience and struggle. Present were James Cone, Suzannah Heschel, Tariq Ramadan, and James Carroll. As we sat and listened one theme came through again and again and again. Each religious tradition contains both the seeds of peace and the potential for violence. How we interpret and apply our sacred texts is what makes the difference.
For me , it was a hopeful moment when we all sat and simply listened to one another. We listened and sought to understand the other. Can we, in our different religious traditions ,come together to listen, to pray, to sing and dance the dance of peace? Can we meet often to deepen our common purpose, celebrate our differences, and nurture our growing friendship?

In the Hope of Waging Peace,
Stefan Andre

Flight into Egypt Then and Now

This morning as I listened to news from around the world I heard of the thousands of people from Gaza who are " flooding across the border into Egypt". It is clear that these people are not just " flooding" but that they are also fleeing. Their flight is from a situation of suffering and violence - a closing of borders by the Israeli government and military that makes life in Gaza a degrading scramble for food, water, fuel, and other basic resources. The Palestinians in Gaza fear for their lives and the lives of their children as their imposed poverty increases day by day.
In this very complicated situation which defies easy solutions it may be helpful to remember that there was another time not too very long ago when a group of people from this region ( albeit much smaller) fled from a situation of violence and suffering and threats from the government and " flooded" across the border into Egypt. Their names- Mary, Joseph, and Jesus. At that time an angel warned Joseph in a dream to cross the border into Egypt to save the life of one small child - Jesus. Perhaps that same angel is guiding people today as they follow in Mary and Joseph's footsteps and like them they will save the life of one, two, or maybe two thousand children.

Peace,
Stefan Andre
http://www.songsofpeace.net/

Speaking of Peace - A New Blog for Encouraging World Peace

Dear Friends,

Peace to You! Can we imagine a forum for people all over the world to share every day examples of peace and peace-making ? Stories from our lives that encourage one another and inspire us in our journey toward that blessed shalom/salaam we all desire. There are so very many stories from the media that seem to focus on the negative, and those things that discourage us . Why not create a specific blog that would work in the opposite direction?

So, I invite you to come to this blog SPEAKING OF PEACE and share your thoughts, your stories, your every day experiences that will inspire us all to go deeper and further in our common journey toward peace.

In the joy of peace-making!

Stefan Andre
www.songsofpeace.net

Voices of the Angels...

Walking into San Juan Bautista Mission Church here in California is walking into the rich layers of our American histories. The sights , the structures, the textures all speak of centuries of prayer, of relationship ... in diversity, in struggle , in beauty, and in peace. In the silence you can hear so much that has been and still is. As I stood and listened, along with about thirty or so other people, out of the silence came a sound, a voice. In melodies and syllables that were new to us all this voice poured blessing after blessing. Truly it was a voice that filled the space and all who were present... a voice that came from centuries before and somehow at the same time deeply present. All of us listened. Many of those who were standing sat down or knelt in response to this voice. Many closed their eyes so as to listen and receive this voice more deeply. This was no imaginary voice. This voice came from a woman standing in the church with eyes closed in prayer. Her name is Shannon White Eagle. She is the voice on many a CD from a new organization called Voices of the Angels based here in California. At that moment, which seemed to be timeless , she was also our deepest voice.

In Peace,
Stefan Andre

In Gratitude and in Friendship...

Dear Friends,

I want to express my sincere gratitude to the many people in the Bay area in California whose warm welcome and deepening friendship encourages and inspires me. How can we ever hope to be our true selves and walk into the future with integrity except in the arms of true friends?

So, as we begin this New Year together may we extend our welcome and friendship to more and more people , to all beings, and to this lovely earth .

Looking forward to being with you again very soon.

Stefan Andre Waligur

In California...

Greetings and Peace from sunny California! For the past several weeks I have enjoyed the hospitality of friends old and new as I have visited churches in the Bay area sharing new music for peace. It is delightful to be on the road and meeting so many people who are committed to peace-making in so many different ways. There is a church in San Francisco called St. Boniface. It is located in a part of the city called the "tenderloin". The tenderloin is a beautiful part of San Francisco life where the poor, the hungry, the homeless, both pimps and prostitutes seek to live. Every day two things happen at St. Boniface. First the doors open in the morning to welcome homeless people or just plain tired people into the church so they can sleep on the pews or floor. Many homeless people are afraid to sleep on the streets at night so they stay awake. The other thing that happens is in the building next store to the church called St. Anthony's Foundation. An amazing gift of compassion! Every day a staff of more than one hundred provides a delicious meal for more than 2,000 hungry people. It is one of the most thoughtful, respectful and delightful places I have ever been.
Here in the tenderloin there is always "room in the inn". so, it is easy to " be of good cheer".

THE BLESSINGS OF PEACE,
Stefan Andre

Peace in the Middle East

Our friend Ramzi speaks of peace in the Middle East. Perhaps we can share thoughts on this vital question: What can we do to contribute to a just peace in this part of the world?

Let me suggest two things that may be possible for some of us .
First, I believe it is most helpful to actually go to the Middle East , if possible, to see and experience for oneself the realities of life there. To make friends and to continue the friendship over time... a beautiful gift our modern technological society offers us- the gift of relationship with others around the world. When the political becomes personal we are much more likely to more deeply understand and respond with compassion. If an actual visit is not possible then perhaps establishing a friendship through the internet. With one push of a button you are virtually there! And in friendship, we listen and begin to see more clearly.
Second, consider the possibilities of music. What would happen if we in our churches , synagogues, temples, universities, and other gatherings, began to sing simple songs in Arabic and Hebrew? What effect might this have on us as we begin to sing prayers for peace and justice in the languages of the Middle East? How to enter the mind of heart of our sisters and brothers in Israel/Palestine? Begin by speaking their language if only a word or two. Sing or speak the words " Salaam", " Shalom" . Imagine as we do the realities of life in the Middle East and make this our prayer for peace. A simple act. A powerful act. A universal act.

There are so many today who are working for peace in the Middle East. I welcome your thoughts and the wisdom of your experience.
In gratitude,
Stefan Andre