Seems simple enough – one day of peace, but to Ernie Loreen, looking forward to a day of peace and enjoyment of one another’s company is more important than we can imagine. After all, he says, “everyone wants peace.” 

“We should be thinking about and enjoying one another and to immerse ourselves in the true meaning of Peace Day,” he continues, “we’d like everyone to celebrate all cultures and religions.”   Ernie says that he and his wife Lola usually attend this event in Blaine, but this year they wanted to bring it closer to home and invite all of us to join in the celebration.

September 21 will mark the 28th annual Peace Day celebration, established by resolution of the United Nations in 1981 and first celebrated in 1982.

This year’s theme is “Peace, Youth and Development” under the slogan “Peace = Future.”  At noon, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon will ring the International Peace Bell, made from coins collected by children. At noon in Point Roberts, Ernie Loreen will ring the bell at Trinity Lutheran Church, ringing out peace, goodwill and hope throughout our small land.

At 7 p.m., a celebration of peace will be held at Lighthouse Marine Park. Everyone is invited to bring their instruments, poetry and ecumenical ideas to share but most of all, says Ernie, bring peace in your heart.

The annual event reminds us to take this opportunity to make peace in your own relationships, with your community, friends and neighbors. Imagine a whole world at peace, even for just one day.

“All works of love are works of peace.”

– Mother Teresa