I have been proud to be part of the Peace Center and stand with all people who want peace. Sometimes a situation arises where it seems clear which “side” peace is on. In reality, it isn’t that simple because we all see from our own perspectives and we understand based on our own experiences. From time to time, I have written things here that someone disagrees with. And I appreciate all of you who are willing to speak up and dialogue with me about it because we both grow and get a chance to see the bigger picture.

Twenty years ago this coming Saturday, May 8 the iconic Missoula Peace Sign that adorned our North Hills on a former US West (then Qwest) microwave reflector between 1983 and 2001, came down to the valley floor. Thanks to Bob Oakes, the North Missoula Community Development Center and nine volunteers, the pieces were safeguarded in the hopes of reuniting them one day.

The Missoula Peace Sign is on the path to reunification. It will become permanently installed at the Jeannette Rankin Peace Center, at last giving substance to the legend and the long-held community vision that all nine pieces will be reassembled. Once unified, the Missoula Peace Sign will become a monument to resilience and a gathering place for people seeking a reflective moment.

To some peace conjures up something soft, comfortable and relaxing. But doing the work of peace is very often messy, uncomfortable, time-consuming and even dangerous. Thinking about being a peace builder in today’s world can be daunting.

I just spent an incredible 3 days with 1800 people around the world talking about how to build peace today and into the future. It was the first ever PeaceCon 2020 sponsored by the Alliance For Peacebuilding,….

For as long as I can remember, JRPC has held a “Kid’s Night” in December. It was hard work, but the rewards were many — faces lit up with joy at finding that perfect gift, the care taken to wrap each one just right and the pride as each gift was carried home to the tree.