The United Nations International Day of Peace will be celebrated locally in Coolidge Park today, Sept. 21, from 3 to 7 p.m.
Organized by The Center for Mindful Living, "Paths to Peace" is the local initiative of the United Nations event, which is being observed in cities throughout the United States today.
The free event will feature an introduction to mindfulness practices, labyrinth walks for adults and children, yoga, Qigong, art, dance, prayer and meditation. At 5 p.m., Bishop Kevin Adams, the senior pastor of Olivet Baptist Church, will take the stage along with the Chattanooga Choral Society for the Preservation of African American Song. The evening will conclude with poetry readings, a demonstration of Tibetan singing bowls and an intergenerational dance.
"We hope that organizations, neighborhoods, community groups, schools and individuals of all ages, faiths and cultures will join us in this global cause," said Margy Oehmig, Paths to Peace committee chairman.
Oehmig is facilitating the three labyrinth walks, which will be created on Coolidge Park grounds on a temporary basis for the event. She recently received her Veriditas training at Chartres Cathedral in France under the tutelage of Lauren Artress, author of "Walking a Sacred Path."
"I have been drawn to the labyrinth as a contemplative tool for many years and enjoy sharing the practice with others, so they might also experience a calming of the mind and a sense of peace that comes from walking a familiar pattern and letting go of personal stress or anxiety," she says.
"The theme of this year's United Nations event is 'Together for Peace: Respect, Safety and Dignity for All.' We were inspired to contemplate what that means at a local level," adds Elizabeth Kabalka, Center for Mindful Living executive director.
"Rather than focus on that which separates us, we are organizing an event that will provide an opportunity for Chattanoogans to gather in harmony. The day is about bringing people together to experience activities that nurture and unite us in a common quest for world peace, and to be mindful of our common humanity."