10TH ANNIVERSARY REFLECTION BY
Rev. Patrick E. Davis, Pastor
Morgan Hill United Methodist Church
Morgan Hill, California
Past Board Member and Current Advisory Board Member
The Interfaith Peace Project
As I reflect on these past ten years with The Interfaith Peace Project (IPP), I stand both in awe and humble gratitude for this amazing journey in what for me has been an experience in Universal Faith and Spirit. When Fr. Tom asked me to serve on the IPP Board of Directors I was honored, but I wondered why he invited me. Today I am thankful for that invitation to be a part of IPP’s global impact. It has been inspiring to see IPP grow from a small apartment, housing an extensive collection of interfaith work and artifacts, crowded into every available nook and corner, to its present location providing a spacious Retreat Center. The present location provides several rooms allowing for private reading and reflection, as well as rooms for groups to meet and discuss. I am excited to have experienced the establishing of several satellite IPP Reading Rooms throughout the San Francisco Bay Area; the planting of several Peace Poles in a variety of faith communities; the hosting of the Women’s Conferences; and annual worship opportunities to observe the International Day of Peace. These have all been wonderful opportunities for people of all faiths to come together to collectively share our core values and concerns.
The IPP Interfaith Prayer Initiative has grown into a regular practicing community in the South Bay with over 500 participants from many faith traditions. Opportunities for interfaith worship, fellowship, and seminars known as “Getting To Know Our Neighbors” provide experiences for learning, understanding, and appreciating the rich faith traditions of the world.
All of this was inspired by the work of The Interfaith Peace Project, its committed and visionary Board of Directors, and the creative imagination of its Executive Director Fr. Tom Bonacci. Happy 10th Anniversary IPP!! We have come a long way.
Off