Copyright © 2002 NLThomas
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"Creating a Culture of Peace" Native Americans Lead a 33-Hour Prayer Vigil for the Earth 2002 at the Washington Monument, in Washington, D.C."

At sunrise, on Saturday, September 21, just north of the Washington Monument, the Native Americans and other spiritual leaders will open the "10th Annual Prayer Vigil for the Earth" with ceremonial prayers.

The 33-hour "Prayer Vigil for the Earth" is created by leaders from diverse spiritual and religious traditions, who will pray and share their traditional ceremonies. A sacred fire will burn in the center of the prayer circle, surrounded by 20 tipis and other sacred structures such as the Buddhist Stupa, Jewish Sukkah, African Ancestral Altar, Hindu Yantra and Labyrinth.

Throughout the weekend, a circle of Christians, Jews, Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Bahais, Buddhists, Native American Elders, African American Elders, Shinji Shumeikai representatives, and members from other great traditions will offer prayer, songs, chants, and lead dances for the healing of the Earth.

Attending will be Native American spiritual leaders William Commanda, Lilly Cummings, and the Mayan Staff carriers from the Grand Ajqi’jab Confederation. Spiritual leaders from other traditions include Baba Ngoma, Baba Olatunji, Sacred Space, Shinji Shumeikai (Japanese), the Buddhist group Kunzang Palyul Choling (KPC), the John Denver Memorial Peace Cloth, the World Peace Prayer Society, Rabbi David Shneyer of AmKolel, the World Peace Flame (Life Foundation) and many others.

There will be opportunities to help set up tipis and other structures on Friday, September 20. The public is invited to participate actively. The smaller talking circles will provide a more intimate setting for discussion with teachers, storytellers, and prophecy keepers from Native America, the African and Asian diaspora, and those from other spiritual paths. Also, a tipi will devoted to silent prayer and meditation.

The Vigil is a 100% volunteer event. Tax deductible monetary donations and airline frequent flyer miles are accepted. For more information on volunteer opportunities, contact Suzanne Clarke, 202-244-3407, email address: sjclarke@mindspring.com.

For additional general information, call 703-620-2577, or sent email to: Oneprayer4@aol.com and visit our web site. All tax-deductible contributions are to be made to "The Circle." Please mail to: The Circle, 11160 Glade Drive, Reston, Virginia 20191-4709.

Brenda Graham, can be contact by telephone: 703-323-6117 or by e-mail: bregrah@yahoo.com.