Fabric of Peace II The Interfaith Connection Quilt in Media

The Fabric of Peace is an on-going project begun in 2008. Women artists from around the world are creating fabric swatches which are assembled into Peace Quilts that are being displayed in the United States and abroad.

The Fabric of Peace is a positive, ongoing and ever growing creative statement by women, connecting our shared interest in keeping peace in the world.

I had the pleasure of contributing two squares to the Fabric of Peace Quilt II The Interfaith Connection.  It is now completed and open for public viewing at The Reformation Lutheran Church in Media, where it is currently on display on the right, along with it's sister quilt, Fabric of Peace I on the left.

Reformation Lutheran Church is located at 102 Rose Tree Road in Media PA 19063 which is just in from the corner of 252 and Rose Tree Road, across from the park 610-891-0600. Hours are Mon-Thurs from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and Friday from 8:00 to noon. 

Please stop by and take a look at both of these impressive quilts. They are spectacular in person, so big and beautiful. An amazing array of creative expression comes together in colorful harmony on both them. A third quilt is starting now. (More info on that at the end of this post.)

There was a grand opening/unveiling and presentation of the Fabric of Peace II The Interfaith Connection on August 28th which included an inspiring slide show about the whole Fabric of Peace Project. Various square makers who were present spoke about the inspiration for their pieces, and afterwards everyone joined in fellowship with a delicious pot luck soup supper. 

Included in Peace II are swatches from the United States, Turkey, Italy, Germany, Jamaica and China.

My two squares represent The Baha'i Faith.

One of them is pictured below, in the middle row in this close up, on the far left.

and the other is in this close up in the middle row below on the far right. A nine pointed star, the symbol of unity is used as the foundation on both squares.

The border of this huge quilt features words of peace along the bottom and top, and the names of the artists along the sides. 

Here we are getting ready for supper. Each table had an Interfaith Golden Rule Coloring Book with assorted colored pencils for the guests to color throughout the evening.

What an honor to be a part of this !

Many thanks to Christel Badey, who organized this project, and Valetta, the director of The Regional Council of Women in the Arts West Chester PA who organized  

 Fabric of Peace I.

Here are Christel and Valdetta arranging swatches for The Fabric of Peace II

.

Fabric of Peace III, Peace in the Community is being created right now! If you would like to be involved please contact Mary Hutchins at 267-407-6490.

artypantz.com

Capture and Return of Bald Beatrice at Baha'i School in West Chester PA

Sunday was a beautiful, sunny and windy day. Perfect for a visit to my local Baha'i School for a party! Here's a snap shot of a few of the participants as they were getting ready for The Capture and Return of Bald Beatrice the Baby Mermaid" Interactive Theatrical Storytelling Event. All together I think there were about 50 kiddos. It was a cozy group and they were all hams.

Afterwards my musician/music teacher friend and I met to work on our collaboration for the new show in the making How Does Our Garden Grow? So excited about this particular show.....busy today working on costumes....carrots to be exact!

Hooray 4 Bugs! open to the public at Wired Beans Cafe in Mt Airy

Save the date of July 23rd for Hooray 4 Bugs! for ages 2 to 6. 

FREE and open to the public 

Saturday July 23rd at 10:30 at Wired Beans Cafe in Philadelphia

http://www.artypantz.blogspot.com

Creative People Doing Good Things

Four young Bahai’s from the Philadelphia Area – Noel Chacha, Sophia Clark, Justin de Leon, and Brittany Owens - are in the process of making a documentary on the human condition of compassion and its effects, with a focus on Africa, entitled Give to Live. The film will be having a fundraiser at the end of this month.

Fundraiser at Mugshots Coffeehouse & Cafe
21st and Fairmount, across from Eastern State Penitentiary
June 26th, Saturday 8pm-9:30pm
25% of the evening's purchases go to Give to Live.

The film team is focusing on obtaining resources for travel to Africa and is shy $6,000 of the total $85,000 production budget. A recent contribution and challenge from Wakengo Mahaniah and Leesa Maule from Philadelphia has provided a significant boost for this final stage. They have issued a challenge to the Philadelphia community by pledging to double every dollar donated up to $500.

An additional way of contributing would be the donation of Frequent Flier miles or Buddy Passes to assist the team in travel.

If you want more information about the documentary, please visit the
website www.GivetoLivetheMovie.com.


www.artypantz.blogspot.com

I Love You Eileen Mooney

A special person that I and many others knew and loved just died suddenly, unexpectedly. She simply, constantly, unflinchingly radiated love and light to all. I feel her love still, and will never stop feeling it. It has been a very emotional and tearful time because she so loved and already deeply missed, but just because she is "gone" does not mean that her light went out. She is still a beautiful shining light and a brilliant star.

"Wert thou to attain but a dewdrop of the crystal waters of divine knowledge,

thou wouldst readily realize that true life is not the life of the flesh,

but the life of the spirit.

For the life of the flesh is common to man and animals,

whereas the life of the spirit is possesed only by the pure in heart

who have quaffed from the ocean of faith

and partaken of the fruit of certitude.

This life knoweth no death,

and this existence is crowned by immortality"

from the Baha'i Sacred Writings

http://www.artypantz.blogspot.com/

a way to peace haiku

This week's prompt from Haiku Bones is "peace"

internalize the

concept of the oneness of

all humanity

http://www.artypantz.blogspot.com/

The Golden Rule

Back in those days, not so long ago, when my studio was a mess I would walk in and walk right back out because the chaos made me even more crazy than usual, but now that I've moved into two organized spaces on the third floor, I could stay up here forever.........I've been holed up in these tippy top studios for days now (see top windows in the picture above). For awhile there it was hell as in inferno, but my dear husband put an air conditioner in and now it's heaven. By the way, that pink thing in the lower right hand corner is a pink flamingo that my daughter found in the trash.

I often miss events, parties, meetings, etc. Sorry about that but I have to be here now. I did drag myself out on Thursday to make books with kids of people who came to a prayer vigil for the imprisoned Baha'is in Iran. (Click on Baha'i in blog labels to learn more about this dire situation.)

Being in and working in my own space is the best. I've always chosen to live somewhere beautiful and surrounded by nature even if it means renting instead of buying. I've also been fortunate to be able to choose time over money, so never had the need to go on vacation or escape from my life.

I love so many people, including those to be met, but happiness abounds in solitude. Ideas take hold, squeeze hard, and won't let go until they are materialized. That is just the way it is. I have to SEE my idea in front of my eyes right now. And the ideas keep coming, like a hose on full blast.

There is so much tension in the world between different kinds of people, and every time I see evidence of it I want to do something to help. The world's problems boil down to one pervasive concept. Somebody thinks they are better than someone else. Their country is better, or their religion, or the way they eat, or raise their kids, etc, etc, etc. This attitude is truly the root of all evil in the world. Just think about it.

No one person is qualified to hold themselves over another person. The fundamental problem of presumed superiority is a sign of spiritual immaturity, and ignorance of the spiritual and scientific fact that we are all One. And for those who believe in God, that means One God, the Same God for everyone. I hope never to see a bumper sticker that says My God Beat up Your God.......but that is kind of what is going on these days.....

In light of all this, in my ongoing efforts to bring people together through the arts, I'm in the process of creating an accordion folded coloring book on the theme of The Golden Rule, using quotes from Traditional African Religion, Hinduism, The Baha'i Faith, Christianity, Judaism, Confucism, Islam and Native American Wisdom. It's such a simple concept to treat people the way you want to be treated. Putting this into practice is probably the very best thing we all can do to help make a better world. That and working on improving our own conduct and character and aspiring to be the kind of person we want others to be.

It's very fun to be drawing again. I'm integrating images of birds, butterflies, flowers and a couple of people in and among the writings. The whole thing will be printed on an 11 x 17 paper, folded and cut, then folded again into the accordion shape. I'll punch holes and tie some gold ribbon or threads on either end of the accordion, then place them in cellophane envelopes and start offering them in various venues.

I'm almost done with it, but just when it seems to be finished, it's not. So it looks like I'll be here a little while longer.

http://www.artypantz.blogspot.com/

Dire Situation Continues for Baha'is In Iran

We tend to take religious freedom for granted in the United States. But peace loving, unity promoting, law abiding citizens of Iran who belong to the Baha'i Faith face daily and sometimes deadly persecution by the Iranian government.
Please join me and other concerned people around the world in support of the 7 Iranian Baha'is who are being detained illegally in Iran for believing in the following principles.

• The oneness of mankind.
• Universal peace upheld by a world government.
• Independent investigation of truth.
• The common foundation of all religions.
• The essential harmony of science and religion.
• Equality of men and women.
• Elimination of prejudice of all kinds.
• Universal compulsory education.
• A spiritual solution to economic problems.
• A universal auxiliary language.

Yesterday marked the one-year anniversary of the arrest and imprisonment of six of the seven members of the "Friends in Iran." Their situation remains precarious. Recently their families were informed of a new and fourth accusation lodged against them by the government, that of "spreading corruption on earth." This charge carries the threat of death under the penal code of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The other accusations are "espionage for Israel, insulting religious sanctity's and propaganda against the Islamic Republic

The allegations are ridiculous and fictitious. These seven Baha'i leaders have now spent a year imprisoned without formal court charges and without any access to their lawyer!

To learn about the individuals who are being held, and to view their profiles, please click here http://news.bahai.org/story/695 You will learn that they are law abiding, hardworking citizens, who seek nothing more than to help make a better world for all of us.

The extent to which Bahai's are persecuted in Iran is heartbreaking. This current situation is an awful and ugly sequel to many other atrocities against Baha'is in Iran. I personally know and love several exceptionally intelligent, loving and accomplished people whose family members have been murdered by the Iranian government simply because they are Baha'is. It brings tears to my eyes to think about it.

Fortunately, the worldwide community, including governments, parliamentary leaders and human rights organizations are watching and admonishing this dire situation. You can too, by learning more about it, and contacting your local representatives to ask for the immediate release of these individuals.

On February 13, the U.S. House of Representatives introduced a resolution, H. Res. 175, "Condemning the Government of Iran for its state-sponsored persecution of its Baha'i minority and its continued violation of the International Covenants on Human Rights."

There are now two resolutions-H. Res. 175 and S. Res. 71-currently before both the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate calling for the release of the Iranian Baha'i leaders and other Baha'i prisoners.

Please contact your representatives and ask them to co-sponsors the resolutions. To find out who your representative is and how to contact them go to http://www.congress.org/congressorg/dbq/officials/

Founded more than a century and a half ago, the Bahá'í Faith has spread around the globe. Members of the Bahá'í Faith live in more than 100,000 localities and come from nearly every nation, religion, ethnic group, culture, profession, and social or economic background. Bahá'ís believe the crucial need facing humanity is to find a unifying vision of the nature and purpose of life and of the future of society. Such a vision unfolds in the writings of Bahá'u'lláh, the Prophet/Founder of the Baha'i Faith, who Baha'is believe is the Messenger from God for this day and age.

The Baha'i Faith does not replace other religions, it is a continuum of them. The Baha'i Faith recognizes the Prophets of all the major religions as being Divine messengers from the same source of Truth, God. To be a Baha'i is to believe in the Oneness of God and the Oneness of Humanity.

I became a Baha'i in 1996 and it was absolutely the best life decision I ever made.

To learn more about this wonderful religion visit the Official Website of the International Baha'i Community at http://www.bahai.org/

http://www.artypantz.blogspot.com/

Baha'is in Iran

We tend to take religious freedom for granted in the United States. But peace loving, unity promoting, law abiding citizens of Iran who are Baha'is face daily and sometimes deadly persecution by the Iranian government.

Last night I joined other concerned people for a meeting in support of the 7 Iranian Baha'is who are being detained illegally in Iran for believing in the following principles.

• The oneness of mankind.
• Universal peace upheld by a world government.
• Independent investigation of truth.
• The common foundation of all religions.
• The essential harmony of science and religion.
• Equality of men and women.
• Elimination of prejudice of all kinds.
• Universal compulsory education.
• A spiritual solution to the economic problem.
• A universal auxiliary language.

I personally know and love several exceptionally intelligent, loving and accomplished people whose family members have been murdered by the Iranian government because they are Baha'is.

This current situation is an awful and ugly sequel to many other atrocities against Baha'is in Iran. The Iranian government has been holding the 7 Baha'is since November with no charges. Now they are planning a mock trial with completely fictitious allegations.

Fortunately, the worldwide community, including governments, parliamentary leaders and human rights organizations are watching and admonishing this dire situation. You can too, by learning more about it, and contacting your local representatives to ask for the immediate release of all seven.

Founded more than a century and a half ago, the Bahá'í Faith has spread around the globe. Members of the Bahá'í Faith live in more than 100,000 localities and come from nearly every nation, religion, ethnic group, culture, profession, and social or economic background.

Bahá'ís believe the crucial need facing humanity is to find a unifying vision of the nature and purpose of life and of the future of society. Such a vision unfolds in the writings of Bahá'u'lláh, the Prophet/Founder of the Baha'i Faith, who Baha'is believe is the Messenger from God for this day and age.

The Baha'i Faith does not replace other religions, it is a continuum of them. The Baha'i Faith recognizes the Prophets of all the major religions as being Divine messengers from the same source of Truth, God. To be a Baha'i is to believe in the Oneness of God and the Oneness of Humanity.

For more information about the Baha'i Faith click on the group image above.

For an excellent review of the systematic persecution of Baha'is by the Iranian government go directly to this page on the official web site of the International Baha'i community. http://www.bahai.org/dir/worldwide/persecution

To learn about the individuals who are being held, and to view their profiles, please click here http://news.bahai.org/story/695

On February 13, the U.S. House of Representatives introduced a resolution, H. Res. 175, "Condemning the Government of Iran for its state-sponsored persecution of its Baha'i minority and its continued violation of the International Covenants on Human Rights." Please contact your representatives and ask them to co-sponser this resolution.

To find out who your representative is and how to contact them go to http://www.congress.org/congressorg/dbq/officials/

http://www.artypantz.blogspot.com/

There's Only One Race - The Human Race

Yesterday two of my teenagers and I went to a Martin Luther King/World Religion Day celebration.
The event was hosted by a Baptist Church and the content of the program included Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Hindu and Baha’i scripture and music from around the world. There were people attending and presenting from each of those denominations. Ages ranged from about four years old to senior citizens.
The gathering looked like an event at the United Nations.
Groups of children sang songs and teenagers danced. A Puerto Rican poet read a moving poem in Spanish, then his young daughter read it in English.

At one point in the program, people were invited to share their thoughts about Martin Luther King. Several people responded eloquently, passionately and personally, all sharing the same underlying feeling that racial and religious prejudice in America is improving. We can see the light at the end of the tunnel!
It was absolutely wonderful to see this group of what could seem as completely unrelated people come together with such love, in the name of Martin Luther King - a visionary with divine guidance who offered spiritual solutions to the challenges of humanity. We have 99% in common. Simply put, there is only one race, The Human Race.

January 18 World Religion Day

To address the need for religious unity, World Religion Day was initiated in 1950 by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of the United States, the U.S. Baha’i governing body.

It is observed the third Sunday in January by Baha'is in the United States and increasingly by people around the globe. The day is celebrated by hosting interfaith discussions, conferences and other events that foster understanding and communication among the followers of all religions.

The purpose of World Religion Day is to call attention to the harmony of the various religions’ spiritual principles and to emphasize that religion is the motivating force for world unity.

As stated in the Baha'i writings, “Religion should be the cause of love and agreement, a bond to unify all mankind for it is a message of peace and goodwill to man from God” and “Religion is the greatest of all means for the establishment of order in the world and for the peaceful contentment of all that dwell therein.”

World Religion Day has spread to many other countries. In 1985, the government of Sri Lanka issued a postage stamp in commemoration of the day.
To learn more about World Religion Day go to http://www.worldreligionday.org/

The Vision of Race Unity in America

The fundamental principle of the Baha'i Faith is for each of us to recognize and internalize the spiritual and scientific fact/truth of "The Oneness of Humankind". Bahai's all over the world strive for unity, which includes among other things the principle of the elimination of prejudice of all kinds.

The National Spiritual Assembly of The United States issued a statement in 1991 about "The Vision of Race Unity".

http://www.bahai.us/racism-in-america

The election of Barak Obama as the next president of the United States is one step for man, and one giant step for mankind!

President Obama said last night in his acceptance speech.

"This is not the change we seek. This is the chance for the change we seek."

SO, EVERYBODY GET ON BOARD!