Dear Friends,

This month, we were honored to join voices from around the world on the International Day of Peace on September 21. It was an opportunity to renew our Peace Pledge — how we remind ourselves that we can make peace each day by talking to others with respect and treating people with care. We were grateful to return to existing partner organizations in schools and men's shelters to practice our peace tools with new and returning faces.

We connected with leaders from around the country and world as well.

We shared our peace practices with the Temis Foundation (Ghanian founder Ruth Afoko pictured above), women from the Dorothea Project, and Cardinal McElroy of the Archdiocese of Washington; worked to expand our programming with Passion Aid Foundation Africa in Uganda and led a retreat for 145 freshmen girls from Elizabeth Seton High School; and connected with new cohorts from the Franciscan Mission Service and Georgetown University Medical School!

Thank you for continuing to support us in the good work of peace building and peace education. We invite you to review our full Peace Camp Impact Review and all the highlights throughout this bulletin as a testament to the possibility of peace in our world!

Peace and love,

MJ and Jerry Park

Recapping our 45th Annual Peace Camp!

Our summer impact review is now available to view digitally. You'll find reflections from Peace Camp in the DMV and Nicaragua, notes on special guests who visited us from around the country, a feature on blending art and activism, and much more!

“Peace has to start at the grassroots level. That’s what I believe now: You have to start from the individual heart, then the family, then the school, and the community. Then maybe a state or a country will be peaceful.”

– Yoshimi Muto, former UN staffer and 2026 Peace Camp guest

Click to View our Summer Impact Review!

In-School Peace Programming has Begun!

The new school year is underway, and so is Peace Class! We have begun weekly in-school programming at schools in Virginia and Washington, D.C., with more programs starting this month! Thank you to our partner schools who have worked so hard to incorporate peace education into their curriculums!

Pictured above: Students and LFFP staff in Peace Club at The Montessori School of McLean

Click to Watch our September Peace Class Recap!

Interested in bringing peace programming to your school? We invite you to fill out our Program Request Form to get in contact with our programming team!

First Full Month at the Father McKenna Center Brings New Connections!

After a summer break for Peace Camp, we are back at the Father McKenna Center for peace programming and recreational activities four mornings a week! We are grateful to be welcomed back by old friends and to get to know new faces as well!

"The Peace Circle been so lovely with the feelings of love and hope. The Wellness Wheel tool card has helped me learn a little more about myself, and I appreciate that." – Brent (pictured middle)

Click to View our McKenna Center Recap Reel!

Did you know? In addition to our Peace Circles on Tuesdays and Thursdays, we also play board games on Mondays and lead art workshops on Wednesdays!

Our New Year-Long Interns!

We are excited to introduce Jessica Hernandez and Tynicia Hendrix, our new year-long interns via the Franciscan Mission Service. Jessica and Tynicia have both jumped right into our peace programming and are already busy at work in their administrative roles to help expand our programming capacity!

Jessica (left) | Volunteer and Community Programs Coordinator

"John Lennon is a peacemaker I look up to because he was an inspiration during the Vietnam War. The line that sticks out to me is 'Make love, not war.' In a world full of violence, I feel like we’re desensitized to it."

Tynicia (right) | Operations and Executive Support Coordinator

“Jesus is a peacemaker I look up to. I think that he would love anyone as himself, and that’s something that a lot of people aren’t able to do. Having someone with so much love for everyone and everyone else can help you to see the world in that way."

Photo Highlights

Click to Watch Our International Day of Peace Reel!

Upcoming Peace Programs

Virtual Peace Circles | Every other Wednesday, 7:30-8:30 p.m. EST

Next meetings: Oct. 7 and Oct. 21 via Zoom

Join LFFP's longest-running virtual peace program. Each session offers a welcoming space to reflect, connect, and grow in community around a central theme. Each session offers a welcoming space to reflect, connect, and grow in community around a central theme. All are welcome!

Virtual Focus Circles | Every other Wednesday, 7:30-8:30 p.m. EST

Next meetings: Sept. 30, Oct. 14 and Oct. 28 via Zoom

Small-group discussions about our way of peace building in the world at large, facilitated by LFFP Community Peace and Justice Coordinator Philip Krabill. The goal of this series is to forge a community of vulnerability, solidarity, and healing. All people of good will are welcome to attend and share.

Origami Crane Workshop

Saturday, Oct. 3 | 1:30-3:45 p.m. EST | Cleveland Park Library

Join the LFFP team and origami instructor Naoko Kamioka as we work to make 300 paper cranes to reach our yearly goal of 1,000. Cranes will be sent with delegations to conflict zones, including Palestine. All ages and abilities are welcome!

The Longest Table DC (Sponsored by the Poor People's Campaign)

Sunday, Oct. 4| 3:00-5:00 p.m EST | Franklin Square Park

Join LFFP team members for a free, community event which brings people together for a shared meal and non-partisan, community-building conversation. The Longest Table will consist of approximately 20 tables that together make up a large community potluck. All are welcome!

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