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On Sunday afternoon, 20 September 2015 Frankston Interfaith Network celebrated the UN International Day of Peace at the Frankston Mechanics Hall.

The theme this year was "Partnerships for Peace - Dignity for All".In keeping with this theme, FIN chose to create a Multifaith event using the elements of wind, fire, water and earth. Each faith chose an element and read some words or shared a prayer from their tradition.

Unificationist Church - David related a brief history of Rev Sun Myung Moon and read a poem written by Rev Moon illustrating beautifully the power of Love over hate

..."Love completely even those who hate you 
...But when I loved those who acted against me
I brought victory
If you have done the same thing
I will give you a crown of glory."

Sathya Sai Organisation prayer

There is only one religion, the religion of love
There is only one race, the human race
There is only one language, the language of the heart
There is only one God and he/she is omnipresent.

Bowl of water passed from person to person. People were invited to dip their fingers in water of love and then the group spontaneously began "annointing" person next to them

Buddhist Religion - Element of Fire

All present were invited to come forward and light candles which were then placed in trays of sand followed by either spoken or silent prayers for peace and compassion. A meditation then followed for peace and compassion

Bah'ai Faith -
This prayer was written by Abdu'l-Baha, founder of the Bahaâi faith

"Oh Lord! Unite & bind together the hearts
Join in accord all the souls
And exhilarate the spirits through the signs of Thy sanctity and oneness.
Oh Lord! Make these faces radiant through the light of Thy oneness.
...make all mankind as stars shining from the same height of glory
As perfect fruits growing upon Thy tree of life."

Muslim Faith - Element of Water
Explanation and part demonstration of doing wudu - cleansing and purification.

Nasirah demonstrated the washing and cleansing of face, hands and feet before going into prayer. The following words she quoted are from Tafsir Ibn Kathir:
"When the Muslim or the believing servant performs Wudu' and washes his face, every sin that he looked at with his eyes will depart from his face with the water, or with the last drop of water. When he washes his hands, every sin that his hands committed will depart from his hands with the water, or with the last drop of water. When he washes his feet, every sin to which his feet took him will depart with the water, or with the last drop of water. Until, he ends up sinless."

Shaman Tradition

This poem by Gandarra was shared at the service

"I am the air that you breathe - Mana - the song of the dolphin 
I travel across time and space, healing and breathing life into all
I am your breath and the breath of others.
I am to remind you without me, there can be no flame.
.... I am the weave between us, connecting us all.
I am air."

Christian tradition - Passing of the Peace - Air
Irene demonstrated the embrace of one to the other, "Peace be with you". All present embraced one another and "Passed the Peace".

Irene spoke of the violence which had recently occurred at the Ahmadiyya mosque at Langwarrin a few days ago. She invited any attendees who felt inclined to write messages of support to the Ahmadiyya community on the Peace Day postcards which had been distributed earlier. All such cards are be sent to the Ahmadiyya mosque. To the strains of Stevie Wonder's Ebony & Ivory, many peace cards were completed and handed in.

Time for afternoon tea. A great day ended with marvellous sense of love and connection between all.

Report by: Pamela Engelander, Frankston Interfaith Network