East Region 

Louisville, Kentucky (Melanie Beatty & Ariadne Conner reporting) 

The Louisville School of Metaphysics branch ushered in 2010 with about 35 students and friends at the Hara Community Center in Germantown.  Centered around the Universal Peace Covenant’s line "Peace is Built Through Communication,” we started the evening with a delicious potluck dinner and socializing.  We began around 9:30 PM with teacher Ariadne Conner welcoming everyone and contemplating, “What is peace?”  Then Conner played the violin joined by Elizabeth Horton singing.  Next, student Al Klien gave a beautiful reading of a poem written after one of his meditations.  He also told about a project called the Intertribal Alliance, offering the perspective of peace from the Native American perspective.  Before intermission, Pankaj Vashisth, a friend of the School, lectured on Indian mantra and led us in uplifting mantra mediation. 

After a break everyone created a watercolor painting inspired from a line in the Universal Peace Covenant and all pieces were hung at the Hara Center for contemplation.  The program continued as Horton and Christine Brazzell sang.  Next, Director Jesse Reese spoke about religion and the USA.  Finally, Divinity Rose, a friend of the School branch, and her band sang a song she received in a dream.  Close to midnight Horton explained what was happening around the world and how our event was part of that.  As midnight approached we sat in a moment of silence and then we all read the Universal Peace Covenant.  Upon finishing we sat in silent to receive it.  Then "hugs all around." 

Cincinnati, Ohio (Bethany Zajac reporting)

The Cincinnati School of Metaphysics hosted "Walk In Peace" on Thursday, December 31, 2009.  Participants from Cincinnati, Ohio and Northern Kentucky met at Fountain Square at 7:00 PM and united with a reading of the Universal Peace Covenant.  Over 35 individuals of all ages then walked with peaceful intentions through downtown Cincinnati, crossed the Purple People Bridge and headed into Newport, Kentucky.  All joined at the Peace Bell and sent love and light to the entire community through a ceremony called the Circle of Love.  The peace-walkers then returned to Cincinnati, hearts and mind united and commenced at Fountain Square.

Following the "Walk In Peace," was the Peace Celebration at Washington United Church of Christ.  An intimate gathering included a potluck dinner, discussions and prayers for peace into the New Year, and a candlelight vigil and meditation to honor the Universal Hour of Peace.  Participants connected with many others across the country at midnight with the One Voice reading of the Universal Peace Covenant.

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