Paradise Valley, Arizona, USA - Thirty peace activists and faith leaders gathered at 6:00 am for prayers, readings and fellowship at a sunrise service to celebrate the UN International Day of Peace on September 21. This was the fourth annual sunrise celebration organized by Arizona Department of Peace Campaign at the Franciscan Renewal Center in Paradise Valley, Arizona.
Terri Mansfield, president of Arizona Department of Peace, and twelve representatives of different faith groups shared songs, prayers, and words of wisdom after the introductory reading of the Proclamation of the International Day of Peace by Paradise Valley Mayor Vernon B. Parker. Rev. Staffan Berg with wife Jane represented the Universal Peace Federation by reading the UPF five-point Peace Declaration of this great day.
To read UPF's Peace Declaration and reports of observances in other nations, click here.