“You Were Called To Peace”

EMES 2025

Every year, our elementary (EMES) students lead us in a peace parade in celebration of International Day of Peace.

Under the gray sky on a sleepy Wednesday, students from EMES wore vibrant shades of blue, symbolizing their commitment to peace and unity as they led the way in the peace parade. The peace parade, held on Wednesday, September 24, was part of the annual International Day of Peace celebrations, which began in 1981 when the United Nations dedicated the day to promoting global solidarity for a peaceful and sustainable world.

The Peace Parade is a cherished tradition at EMES. This year, fifth graders took the lead in organizing and guiding the parade, carrying a (new) large peace dove while the rest of the school followed. They walk the entire perimeter of our k-12 school and as they pass by teachers pop out and upper school students gaze out the windows to see the students.

The theme for this year’s parade, “We Are All Under One Wide Sky,” and was inspired by the book “We Are All Under One Wide Sky” by Deborah Wiles. During a special Gathering which followed, 5th grade students reflected on the book’s message and shared their insights through a poem that echoed the universal themes of equality and shared humanity.

This poem was collaboratively created in peacebuilding class:

We all share the sky and are all together underneath it.

Everything under the sky is equal.  All people…all animals…all parts of nature.

We are all unique and different, but at the same time there are things that we all share.

We are all under the same sky, but we all have different stories.

Colossians 3:15 Let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And always be thankful.

The peace dove tradition lives on.

We come from different places

Different climates, different landscapes, different houses

But we all need food and water, we all need shelter,  we all need plants, trees, and air

We are under the same sky with different stories

We all have different customs, backgrounds, and families

Different foods we eat, different languages we speak, different places we pray

But we all need love, we all need hugs, we all need family, and we all need friends

We are under the same sky with different stories

We all have different strengths, feelings, and perspectives

Different dreams, different ideas, different personalities

But we all need comfort, we all need fun, and we all need each other

We are under the same sky with different stories

We all have different preferences, different minds, different bodies, and make different choices

But we all need something to love, something to snuggle, and a place to feel peace

We are all under the same wide sky

Now more than ever, it is important to teach our children the practices that make for peace in our everyday lives. We ended Gathering with, “There is more love somewhere.” The students sing this song with passion and purpose as they model the hope through the wisdom of peace they share.

The EMES Peace Parade not only celebrated International Day of Peace but also reaffirmed the school’s commitment to an environment of understanding and compassion. The parade was a moving testament to the power of young voices in advocating for a more peaceful world, inspiring hope and unity across the community and in themselves.

Thank you God for our students. Seeing them this morning walking in the peace parade, and watching our 5th graders plan this event, gives me hope. Thank you for those around the world that are working like us, to bring peace in their communities. Help us to continue to be a part of creating a better world. – Maria Archer

There is more peace, indeed, somewhere.