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The Gifting Ceremony began with a medley of music played on song flutes by
Melanie, Dean, and Prestyn Astarita. The Astaritas are neighbors of the College of Metaphysics. Prestyn and Dean are young men about ten and twelve years of age. They are among the few who have had the privilege of seeing the dome when it was being inflated. They played the “Peace Waltz,” “Round (Like the Dome),” “Faith of Our Fathers,” “Ode to Joy/Chopsticks,” and a variety of patriotic music.
Next came a group of highly talented young people from Branson, Missouri from a group called America’s Kids. They sang gospel and patriotic music. This was a debut performance for one of the children, age eight. The others have performed before, and some of them sing at the Majestic Theatre in Branson in a show called “Raising America.” We are glad they participated in the day. I heard from those at the dome that they could hear the sweet voices of these youths waft over the hills, adding beauty to their experience there.
The Buffalo High School Theater Department under the direction of Mary Lou Beckner came with flags to sing a patriotic medley called “A Tribute to Peace” with a flag ceremony. They also sang gospel music. Tyler Weeks played the guitar and was a featured soloist. They were honored to be invited to this day and we were honored to have them participate.
David Oughton is a teacher of comparative religions at a private high school in St. Louis, Missouri called Christian Brothers College High School. For many years he has organized interfaith discussion groups, bringing together hundreds of people in St. Louis to communicate, learn from one another, and build bridges of understanding. He spoke about The Unity of World Religions and the Five Elements of Peace.
Mr. Oughton is a scholar of peace issues and spoke about solutions for building a global community. The School of Metaphysics has participated in interfaith programs in St. Louis for many years, and the dedication of the peace dome provided him an opportunity to come to the College of Metaphysics for the first time.
Reverend Roma Carlisle is the minister of the First Divine Science Church in St. Louis. She brought the audience into singing a round and then sang a moving version of the Lord’s Prayer.Jeanne Breeze (who said she had to come because a Breeze must be in Windyville!) read a selection of poetry to a musical background. She designed the program specifically for the day. For many years Jeanne has organized a huge peace program on December 31st in St. Louis, she is an avid supporter of Dennis Kucinich “the peace candidate,” and she said that she lives for peace. She was grateful to be here on this day.
The Giving Tree Cooperative School from Springfield, Missouri sang the songs “Shabbat Shalom” and“Peace is the Breath of Our Spirit” and presented a puppet show with puppets they had made. “The Nightingale” by Hans Christian Anderson was the story chosen for the show. Iris Wheatley, Zoe Calloway and Shea Raimey were the three seven-year-olds who performed.
Jack Sisk is the founder and director of the Living Insights Center in St. Louis. This is a remarkable place born from Jack’s vision, a house with different rooms that are sanctuaries for prayer and meditation. There is a room with Catholic relics, a Native American room, a Buddhist room, a Hindu room, and artifacts from other major religions.
Jack spoke about the truth that peace begins within each individual, “Inner Peace as a Path to Outer Peace.” His personal spiritual practice is Buddhist, and he spoke about the mission of Bodhisatvas, to aid other people to become enlightened . I heard from someone else that his experience in the dome was the most powerful meditation he had had in twenty-five years.
Victoria Fortner is a member of the Shawnee tribe and she spoke about “Native American Peacekeeping Traditions.” Ms. Fortner had the audience participate in a prayer to the four directions, facing west, north, east, and south. She also spoke about the necessity for people to harmonize with nature and entreated the women to participate in a full moon dance for peace. This is an essential part of Native American peacekeeping. As the dome dedication took place the day after a full moon, and as the dance is to take place the day before, the day of and the day after a full moon, Victoria thought the timing was most appropriate. She gave me a paper with the tradition written down by her sister-in-law which appears in the box at far left. Victoria ended her speech calling upon each person to respect their own faith tradition. She said they are all valuable because they connect us with Spirit.
The next gift was offered by Jenny Cahill of Springfield, MO. She gave a “Speaking Heart Meditation” which was written by Patrick Brack of St. Louis. Originally Patrick was going to give this, and at then discovered he had a prior commitment on October 11th. He asked Jenny to speak in his place and she was honored to do so.
The final gift was a dance to the music “Peace is Real” choreographed by Elizabeth Vaughan, age 16 and Briana Padilla, age 15. These two young women have been campers for several years at Camp Niangua on the campus of the College of Metaphysics.
At the gifting ceremony there was a place for each individual to record their vision of peace, both on videotape for a future documentary and in writing and art.
One beautiful gift of art was created by Christy Ann EIA'mma from the Urbana, Illinois School of Metaphysics. It is a graceful and elegant bowl made from a gourd she grew herself. It is glazed and decorated with Psalm 133:1 in English and Hebrew. Kristine had the opportunity to present it during the ceremony.
The gifting ceremony was a lovely place for people to come together in friendship, communication, love, and peace.
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