By Lysa Allman-Baldwin

Unity Village recently joined the International Cities of Peace. The organization's mission is to create a network of communities that by history, resolution or proclamation are self-defining themselves as official cities of peace.

According to the organization's executive director, J. Fred Arment, peace is a “world dream” that resonates with people in all cities and nations. “No matter what nationality, culture, faith or creed, everyone wants a more peaceful life for their children and family,” he says. “This means connecting with the consensus values that all people identify with, and through which we can find common ground—safety, prosperity and quality of life.”

Demonstrating Peace
Cities that join the organization fall into several categories: Some are the site where a particular war was concluded through a peace treaty; some have been the location for important peace research or peace training institutions; and some are the home of international institutions that are significant for the maintenance of world peace.

“In many ways, all that we do here at Unity Village—and all that has happened over the120-year history of the Unity movement—promotes peace,” says Unity President and CEO Charlotte Shelton. “Certainly the millions who contact our 24/7 telephone prayer ministry, Silent Unity®, and those who read our classic daily devotional magazine, Daily Word®, are supported in discovering both internal and external peace along with those who attend our classes or retreats and read our books and online articles. We want the world to know that we stand for peace. By joining with other peace-focused organizations, we are making that more formally apparent.”

Expressions of Peace at Unity Village
Visible expressions of peace at Unity Village include a meditation labyrinth and a Peace Quilt made by internationally renowned best-selling author, filmmaker, musician and “peace troubadour” James Twyman, which is kept in the Silent Unity Prayer Vigil Chapel. Plans are in the works to refurbish a Peace Pole which used to welcome visitors in four languages.

Modeling peace and supporting peace initiatives are two types of spiritual social action in which we can all engage notes Shelton. “Peace of mind, peaceful relationships, peace between countries are all part of creating the heaven on earth that Jesus so clearly described,” she says. “We can live in heaven right here and right now when we learn to create peace-filled lives.”

She added, “We can discern our own level of spiritual development not by how much peace is present in our lives, but rather by how we handle conflict. In essence, as Gandhi said, we must each be the peace we want to see in the world.”

A Relationship Is Born
The connection between International Cities of Peace and Unity Village began after friends invited Arment to attend a Unity church.

“Though I respect and endeavor to understand the peace in all religious traditions, it is my personal spiritual preference to find solace and communion in nature rather than a formal setting,” he explains. “But from the moment I entered [the Unity church], I felt at home. The diversity of the congregation, the humor and gladness in the service, and the attention to what really counts—providing a place of discovery for individual efforts toward peace—was a pleasant surprise. Those in that Unity service were seekers and I was one among them.”

A few weeks later, Arment and Shelton met by chance at a conference where he was speaking about his organization. “I found a like-minded friend, though it was much later that I realized my encounter was a prequel to this meeting” notes Arment.

Shelton was equally impressed. “I was touched by the work being done by International Cities of Peace. I subsequently told the Unity Village Board of Trustees about them, and recommended that they research it. They did so and unanimously voted to apply for membership.”

Shelton is now a member of the International Cities of Peace Advisory Council, and Unity Village Mayor Doug Rusher is on their Mayor's Roster. The roster is a new initiative that recognizes elected leaders for their individual courage and vision in helping citizens self-define their communities as Cities of Peace.

“We are very happy that Unity Village has resolved to become an International City of Peace,” Arment says. “If we are to counter the forces of fear and violence [in the world], we must continuously build and expand positive energy for peace. Like Unity, the International Cities of Peace is a positive, expansive, embracing approach to creating peace in our lives. The legacy and commitment of Unity Village to respect and honor everyone's journey is core to our efforts.”

Other member cities include The Hague, Netherlands; Coventry, England; The Republic of Cameroon, Africa; Toronto, Canada; Alexandria, Egypt; and Hiroshima, Japan. In the United States, Cities of Peace include: Atlanta, Georgia; Eugene and Hood River, Oregon; New York City, New York; and Dayton, Ohio.
 

Learn more about International Cities of Peace.

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