Faith Lutheran to plant peace pole

In this time of fear about terrorism and concern about raging wars, the International Day of Prayer for Peace stands as a day dedicated to promoting peace in the hearts of individuals, communities and the world. Coming ten days after the tenth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, the peaceful message of this day is particularly poignant. On this day, Sept. 21, at 5:30 p.m., a brief ceremony of prayer and readings will take place at Faith Lutheran Church in West Fargo, when members will plant a handcrafted, wooden Peace Pole that will display the message "May Peace Prevail on Earth." The message will appear on each side of the pole written in four to sixteen languages to reflect a community's population. The message on the pole planted at Faith Lutheran will be in English, Spanish, German and Ethiopian.

The Peace Alliance of the Red River Valley is encouraging a local movement to plant Peace Poles at places of business, organizations and individuals' homes in the Fargo-Moorhead area. Formed in 2006, the Peace Alliance of the Red River Valley is the local chapter of the national Peace Alliance located in Washington, D.C. Self-described as a "grass-roots, non-political, non-denominational" group, the local Peace Alliance is dedicated to promoting peace through advocacy and raising public awareness.

Over 200,000 Peace Poles have been planted in 180 countries throughout the world. Locally, there are peace poles at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church and Sisters of the Presentation in Fargo.