Pasadena, California - On Saturday, August 9, 500 people gathered at the First Congregational Church in Pasadena, California, to celebrate the Global Peace Festival together with our brothers and sisters in Washington, D.C., as well as other remote locations.

Akemi Lee and Keith McCarthy served as the Masters of Ceremony for the event, which began at 3:00 p.m. local time, coordinating with the 6:00 p.m. live Internet feed from Washington, D.C. The sanctuary was quite warm. Some relief was provided by several large electric fans as well as hundreds of “GPF” hand fans created by our local staff. Akemi referred to the opening of the Olympics in Beijing and the great theme of “One World, One Dream.” She also made the point that this “dream” could be taken to a higher level, with “One Family Under God”!

The program began with all present reciting the “Peace Prayer” of St. Francis of Assisi. This was followed by an invocation from Rev. Courtina Reid and entertainment by a Japanese choir. After the choir, we lit up the screen to see Dr. Joseph Lowery speaking from the Capitol lawn.

Next was a local performance by the Chailitilerd family, who enraptured everyone with their performances on the jakkei, kim, and lanad, traditional Thai instruments.

This performance segued nicely into David Phelps’ performance in Washington. Everyone in the room rose and sang along with him—the spirit was high. We continued with the feed from Washington, hearing from the Hon. Walter Fauntroy and his lyrical introduction of Dr. Hyun Jin Moon.

Applause echoed throughout our hall, punctuating Dr. Moon’s comments. As Yolanda Adams began singing, a “peace offering” was taken up. We concluded with all of us joining hands in a prayerful song, “Let There Be Peace on Earth.” Many stayed to hear the completion of Yolanda Adams’ singing, while the rest began to assemble in the parlor for refreshments and fellowship. The spirit was very high. One of our Ambassadors for Peace telephoned on Monday morning, inspired and ready for more activities!