Reflections from the Walk for Peace in Annapolis

Several St. Anne’s members and staff attended last Thursday’s Walk for Peace in Annapolis. We each had our own reasons for being there, along with the thousands who lined Rowe Boulevard and packed Lawyer’s Mall. It was bitterly cold, but the crowds were peaceful, kindness was present, and people were excited in anticipation of the monks’ arrival. What follows are our personal reflections on this moment and why, as people of faith, we wanted to be a witness to this pilgrimage for peace.

“God is alive & walking amongst us. Look for his beauty & care, because he has shown himself with these heavenly people!”

“How blessed was I, to witness the Monks walking for peace. I did not have a perfect view, wish I had walked with them from the stadium, of course I wanted the perfect picture. I was crammed in with so many on a cold winter morning. But standing amongst strangers at the State capitol building, was a beautiful experience.  I felt lighter & refreshed from all the devoted people seeking an opportunity to see the Monks, all in the name of Peace. We had one common goal, to be inspired by their pilgrimage. Inspired we were, I was deeply moved by these incredible humans that showed us that peace can be achieved by those who seek it. It was a very emotional day, I will never forget this gift. (And I got a front row opportunity to take pictures as they were leaving, I was elated, another gift)”

Laura Sullivan, St. Anne’s member, Get Smart Homework Club Leader, and photographer

“Putting one foot in front of the other for peace.”

“Watching the monks walk for peace stirred something deep inside me.  I felt a mix of excitement and awe, almost reverence, witnessing their quiet devotion in motion.  I couldn't believe how old some of them were, yet their strength and stamina were undeniable.  Seeing a few walking barefoot made their commitment even more profound.  Above all, I felt a strong sense of gratitude for their discipline, their sacrifice, and the powerful example they set simply by putting one foot in front of the other for peace.”

Nancy Pollack, St. Anne’s Parish Administrator

“Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called children of God” - Matthew 5:9

“I first learned about their Walk for Peace on YouTube in December. A local news station in North Carolina was showing clips of the people showing up to witness their walk. Hope started to bloom inside me, and I remember tearing up at seeing all the people who showed up for peace.

As a Christian, what struck me was the parallels with Jesus, how he went out among the people to teach, and the crowds gathered to hear his message.  

The Buddhist monk’s message of finding peace inside was simple and profound. It resonated with me as I have found peace through Christianity.

I felt drawn to witness their walk because deep down, my heart was calling to be a part of this. With all the chaos in the world, I long for peace in our country, and I felt inspired being in that crowd in Annapolis.

This photo captures the hope I felt as I witnessed the outpouring of support for peace and the sentiment in my heart. “Thank you for walking for peace. Sadhu! Sadhu! Sadhu! (which means well done).

May we all find the peace that passes all understanding, and may we all be inspired by this walk to continue showing up for peace.”

Claire Miller, Ministry Associate for Communications & Engagement

“This yellow flower felt like an anchor to the peace brought by the monks.”

“I had the privilege of attending the March for Peace on the 12th and was left with a sense of great hope and peace after participating in such a large gathering. In a time of deep division and people seeming as defined by what they stand against as what they stand for, it was amazing to have such a large gathering of people come together and stand for something. Not only did so many people come out to brave the cold, but they stayed out in the cold for an hour longer than planned, as the bus was delayed. This crowd was wonderfully devoted to greeting the monks. Yet within the gathering, I found an odd contradiction: at a march for peace, led by champions of mindfulness, many of us — myself included — were jostling and grumbling as we hoped to get the perfect picture and hear the words spoken at the podium. Those of us who could make out the speaker's words could have done well to abide by his example and fallen into silence and mindfulness. 

During this, I was handed a blessed flower. Amidst the hubbub of the crowd, this yellow flower felt like an anchor to the peace brought in by the monks. I left the crowd in silence and carefully placed the flower in a vase and placed it on the Reception Desk in the Parish House, where it now continues to sit, a reminder of that message of peace brought from so far away.”

Caleb Briggs, Office Assistant & Communications Staff, Sung Compline Cantor