{"id":3166,"date":"2020-10-02T08:22:18","date_gmt":"2020-10-02T14:22:18","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/uuwestside.org\/?page_id=3166"},"modified":"2026-04-15T11:04:28","modified_gmt":"2026-04-15T17:04:28","slug":"peace-river","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/uuwestside.org\/index.php\/peace-river\/","title":{"rendered":"Peace River \/ Peace Pole"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n

We gather as many drops, each winding our own path down life\u2019s surfaces and ruts.\u00a0
Here we pool together as a single body, flowing together for a time.\u00a0
Together we are a stream, at times even a river,\u00a0
for, with our shared force, we can travel toward oceans of meaning and seas of connection.\u00a0 <\/em> -Rev. Leslie Takahashi\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\r\n

International Peace Pole<\/strong><\/p>\r\n

The Congregation added an International Peace Pole in a March 29, 2026, program promoting peace. The Peace Pole, installed near the Peace River, promotes peace in four languages: English, Spanish, Dine, and American Sign Language. The Community Care Committee oversees the Peace River and Peace Pole with Dawn Knighten maintaining a personal responsibility for the installations. Pictures of the installation shown below are of\u00a0 Dawn, the consulting minister Rev. Dr. Nancy Hitt, and members of the congregation.<\/p>\r\n

\"Rev. <\/a>
Rev. Hitt, Dawn Knighten <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Members <\/a>
Members at Installation <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Dwan <\/a>
Dwan Knighten <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>\r\n

The UUWC Women’s Group at its April meeting spent time painting rocks with peace messages to be added to the Peace River\/Peace Pole area at the church.<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n
\"Women's <\/a>
New Peace Rocks <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"249BF493-7F82-43C1-B64C-353B42500A59_1_105_c\" <\/a> <\/div> <\/div>
\"C52F4143-B39F-4513-9516-7B15DA9ACD40_1_105_c\" <\/a> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"10C41F42-0BE8-4131-A3D1-1E2D4DC081D4_1_105_c\" <\/a> <\/div> <\/div>
\"247A9E54-10AD-456A-BD84-418255475124_1_105_c\" <\/a> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>\r\n

 <\/p>\r\n

____________<\/h3>\r\n

The following letter has been sent to local media outlets:<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n

Dear Editor,<\/p>\r\n

In the current climate of the war in Iran, No Kings protests, and economic uncertainty, I am uplifted by the Unitarian Universalist Westside Congregation\u2019s installation and dedication of an international Peace Pole on March 29, at their location, 1650 Abrazo Drive NE, here in Rio Rancho.\u00a0 This is the only Peace Pole in Rio Rancho, as listed on the virtual global Peace Pole map (https:\/\/www.peacepoleproject.org\/plantpeacepolemap\/<\/a>). It joins approximately 250,000 other Peace Poles in over 180 countries.\u00a0 Peace Poles are an internationally recognized symbol of the hopes and dreams of unity among people of all backgrounds and cultures.\u00a0 They serve as a silent prayer for peace, a way of bringing people together to inspire, awaken and uplift the human consciousness the world over.<\/p>\r\n

Peace Poles began in Japan at the end of World War II, as a reaction to the violence, destruction and loss of life.\u00a0 Peace Poles have the phrase, \u201cMay Peace Prevail on Earth\u201d, in four different languages, one on each side of the pole.\u00a0 The Unitarian Universalist congregation chose English, Spanish and Navajo to represent the cultures here in New Mexico.\u00a0 The fourth language is American sign language, a nod to their principle of the inherent worth and dignity of every person.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\r\n

The public is welcome to visit the Peace Pole.\u00a0 It resides in the area just to the left of the sanctuary doors.\u00a0 It is our fervent hope that Peace does indeed prevail in the world, in our nation, in New Mexico, in Rio Rancho, and in our hearts.<\/p>\r\n

Sincerely,
Dawn Knighten<\/p>\r\n

________________<\/p>\r\n

 <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

The Peace River has undergone a recent renewal<\/strong> with a cleanup and addition of new features. When next at UUWC take a look at the Peace River, which is on the south side of the building between the Sanctuary and Social Hall.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n

\"\"<\/p>\r\n

Strengthening our community is more important than ever.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

\"\"\r\n
Contributed Photo<\/figcaption>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Please contribute to our Peace River located outside the Social Hall by decorating a stone and leaving it behind for others to enjoy or you can bring an already decorated piece to add to the Peace River. Look here for more information in the future.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

\"\"\r\n
Memorial Rocks painted by family members of Robert Gardiner.<\/figcaption>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

If you need inspiration please view our gallery<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

We gather as many drops, each winding our own path down life\u2019s surfaces and ruts.\u00a0Here we pool together as a single body, flowing together for a time.\u00a0Together we are a stream, at times even a river,\u00a0for, with our shared force, we can travel toward oceans of meaning and seas of connection.\u00a0 -Rev. Leslie Takahashi\u00a0 International … Continue reading Peace River \/ Peace Pole<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":22,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":10,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"two_page_speed":[],"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-3166","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"aioseo_notices":[],"yoast_head":"\nPeace River \/ Peace Pole - Unitarian Universalist Westside Congregation<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/uuwestside.org\/index.php\/peace-river\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Peace River \/ Peace Pole - Unitarian Universalist Westside Congregation\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"We gather as many drops, each winding our own path down life\u2019s surfaces and ruts.\u00a0Here we pool together as a single body, flowing together for a time.\u00a0Together we are a stream, at times even a river,\u00a0for, with our shared force, we can travel toward oceans of meaning and seas of connection.\u00a0 -Rev. 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