|
|
|
|
Above: October 10, 2021 First Unitarian Church of Wilmington
Peace Week Delaware is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year with the ambitious goal of planting 10 new peace poles throughout the state. Our DoMore24Delaware fundraising campaign set for March 6-7, 2025 will invite donors to contribute to this peace pole project. By the end of the year, we anticipate nearly doubling the number of peace poles already in Delaware:
- Center for Creative Arts, Yorklyn
- Wilmington Montessori School, Wilmington
- First Unitarian Church of Wilmington, Wilmington
- Newark Center for Creative Learning, Newark
- Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Newark, Newark
- Nobles Pond, Camden-Wyoming
- Unitarian Universalists of Southern Delaware, Lewes
- Peter’s Episcopal Church, Lewes
- CAMP Rehoboth, Rehoboth Beach
- Seaside Jewish Community, Rehoboth Beach
- Westside New Beginnings Community Center, Rehoboth Beach
- Martha’s Episcopal Church, Bethany Beach
- Mt Calvary AME Church, Seaford
- Georgetown Presbyterian, Georgetown
Most outdoor peace poles are approximately 8 feet tall. They are typically made of white plastic 4-by-4-inch fence pole material with 4 to 8 languages conveying the message “May Peace Prevail on Earth.” The peace pole in front of the Wilmington Montessori School (WMS) has 6 sides with 6 languages. Nanticoke and Lenape are among the indigenous languages selected for peace poles in Delaware.
More than 100,000 peace poles have been placed in 190 countries throughout the world, spreading a global message of unity and hope. The international Peace Pole Project was initially envisioned by Masahisa Goi (1916-1980), who survived the nuclear bombs of World War II in Japan. Goi authored the 5-word phrase “May Peace Prevail on Earth” that is inscribed in multiple languages on each peace pole and serves as a meditation for personal well-being and a group chant at community gatherings. It is a gentle and inclusive message that has the capacity to unite and uplift hearts and spirits.
| “Peace is more than just the absence of conflict; it’s the presence of harmony, justice, and well-being in a society. It involves the ability to live together peacefully despite differences, cooperate for the common good, and resolve conflicts constructively.” – Dennis Wong |
Peace poles communicate that someone cares. They often represent a local community of peacemakers committed to justice. Encountering peace poles in public spaces can challenge people to reflect on what peace means to them and ask “what can I do?” Malcolm (Mac) Goekler, who has assisted several faith communities and non-profit organizations in Sussex County to install peace poles, says, “Why peace poles? I have always felt that when one keeps walking past these peace poles – over time they get the message. These are a silent reminder that there are issues more important than the taste of your coffee – yes, a silent but very visible reminder. Also, these are sign posts that the people connected to this pole are working for peace.”
As we make plans for our 10th anniversary celebration, we welcome nominations on where to place this next set of peace poles throughout Delaware. As part of the nomination process, let us know what peace means to you and how peace poles are a part of that vision. Please send email communications to: info@peaceweekdelaware.org.
This brief (2-minute) video shows how the Rotary Action Group for Peace spreads the message that “Peace is Possible” through their international peace pole program.
The above document is available in Microsoft Word at:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1rOzxA7LyKKnJDF3kccXE5MOzybJtLT6I/edit?
Outdoor Peace Poles in Delaware – Listed from North to South
Links, Photos and Related Resources Updated 2/6/25
Center for the Creative Arts
410 Upper Snuff Mill Row, Yorklyn, DE 19707
Peace Pole dedicated on 10/4/2020
Further information:
https://www.peaceweekdelaware.org/events/creating-peaceful-community-through-the-arts/
Wilmington Montessori School
1400 Harvey Rd, Wilmington, DE 19810
Peace Pole dedicated on
Further information:
https://www.wmsde.org/about/headofschool (includes 2- minute video of Peace Garden and peace pole)
First Unitarian Church of Wilmington
730 Halstead Road, Wilmington, DE 19803
Peace Pole dedicated on October 10, 2021
Further information:
https://firstuuwilm.org/2021/10/13/peace-pole-installation/
Newark Center for Creative Learning
401 Phillips Avenue, Newark, DE 19711
Peace Pole dedicated on
Further information:
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Newark
420 Willa Rd, Newark, DE 19711
Peace Pole dedicated on September 24, 2018
Further information:
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2143548489008958 and
https://www.newarkpostonline.com/news/uufn-class-helps-kids-understand-inner-peace/article_540590b5-e3e4-57e6-94f6-f823ef3354ff.html
Nobles Pond
Camden-Wyoming Rotary Satellite Club
Peace Pole dedicated on September 20, 2024
Further information available here:
https://worldpeace.org/2024/09/historic-moment-first-rotary-peace-pole-in-district-7630-camden-wyoming-usa
https://www.dacdb.com/rotary/accounts/7630/Bulletins/26474/Bulletin%20(102707)%2010-10-2024.pdf
Unitarian Universalists of Southern Delaware
30486 Lewes Georgetown Hwy, Lewes, DE 19958
Peace Pole dedicated on
Further information:
https://worldpeace.org/2024/07/peace-pole-project-sussex-county-delaware-usa/
St Peter’s Episcopal Church
200 2nd St, Lewes, DE 19958
Peace Pole dedicated on
Further information:
https://worldpeace.org/2024/07/peace-pole-project-sussex-county-delaware-usa/
Camp Rehoboth
37 Baltimore Ave, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971
|Peace Pole dedicated on
Further information:
https://www.capegazette.com/article/peace-week-delaware-seeks-2022-peace-pole-site/244215#google_vignette
https://worldpeace.org/2024/07/peace-pole-project-sussex-county-delaware-usa/
Seaside Jewish Community
18970 Holland Glade Rd., Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971
Peace Pole dedicated on
Further information:
https://worldpeace.org/2024/07/peace-pole-project-sussex-county-delaware-usa/
Westside New Beginnings Community Center
19801 Norwood St, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971
Peace Pole dedicated on
Further information:
https://worldpeace.org/2024/07/peace-pole-project-sussex-county-delaware-usa/
St. Martha’s Episcopal Church
117 Maplewood St, Bethany Beach, DE 19930
Peace Pole dedicated on October 27, 2024
Further information:
https://worldpeace.org/2024/10/peace-pole-dedicated-in-bethany-beach-delaware-usa/
Mt Calvary AME Church
25206 Mt. Calvary Way, Seaford, DE 19973
Peace Pole dedicated on
Further information:
https://worldpeace.org/2024/07/peace-pole-project-sussex-county-delaware-usa/
Georgetown Presbyterian
203 N Bedford St, Georgetown, DE 19947
Peace Pole dedicated on
Further information:
https://worldpeace.org/2024/07/peace-pole-project-sussex-county-delaware-usa/
The above document is available in Microsoft Word format at:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1rOzxA7LyKKnJDF3kccXE5MOzybJtLT6I/edit?usp=drive_link&ouid=103997674281480594282&rtpof=true&sd=true
