Prayer Vigil for the Earth: Presenters

Presenters for the 2012 Prayer Vigil for the Earth

	The Prayer Vigil Ceremonial Drum, representing the heart beat of Mother Earth, calls the Prayer Vigil in and honors the Fire in the hearts of all.
	Sharon Franquemont, a co-founder of the Prayer Vigil, has been dedicated to intuition for more than 30 years. She is a coach, consultant, teacher, reader, and writer in the field. Working with the Life Science Foundation, Minneapolis, MN, which explores health and wellbeing, 21st century science, education and consciousness, Sharon brings her expertise as an author, professor, coach and consultant to the public. Her experience includes teaching graduate students at JFK University, delivering intuition training and coaching for employees of major companies, presenting speeches to US and international audiences, writing books, recording tape sets and traveling the world to promote s the wisdom of intuition.
	David Berry, a co-founder of the Prayer Vigil for the Earth was ordained by Namgyal Rinpoche a few weeks before his death. While he conducts retreats, his spiritual work is often under cover weaving spirituality into talks in sustainability in Europe Asia and the Americas. David has been invited to speak on sustainability and spirituality at the Russian Academy of Science to scientists from around the world and has served on two committees of the National Academy of Science of the United States. In 1992, David helped a Hopi Elder fulfill a prophecy to speak at the Great House of Mica (the UN).
	Shumei Taiko Ensemble Drummers. In ancient Japan, the beat of a drum or âœtaikoâ accompanied petitions to God. Today, the ceremony lives on and is called "Mikotonori," in which the sound of drumming bridges the divide between the human and the divine. The thunder of taiko is pure. It cleanses both the senses and the surroundings of those who pray. Mikotonori is a prayer in which the hopes and thankfulness of those participating rise straight to God. Such occasions of transcendence are known as "kanno doko," moments in which the spiritual and physical worlds speak to each other and are entwined with divine light. It was at such a moment that the ShumeiTaiko Ensemble was born. Shumei Taiko Ensemble believes that art can touch every human being despite the differences of language, customs, race and religion. The mystical power which springs from the artistâ™s soup passes through the written word, the picture and the musical instrument, and plucks at the soul of all humankind. It is our goal to bring all hearts together in a united call for world peace.
	Chief Iya NâIfa Efunyale (Mother Taylor), Yorba Faith of West Africa. We honor and revere our elder priests, the great wisdom keepers among us. We are blessed and strengthened by their prayers and visions. Mother Taylor, Chief Priest of the Yoruba Temple of Spiritual Elevation and Enlightenment, is a pillar in the traditional African community in the U.S. and among the elders who offer blessings at the Prayer Vigil each year.
	Rabbi David Schneyer is the spiritual leader of Am Kolel and Kehila Chadasha, two trans-denomination Jewish communities based in the Washington, DC area. A musician and cantor, David also directs the Am Kolel Sanctuary and Renewal Center, an ecumenical retreat center near Poolesville, MD. A member of Rabbis for Human Rights and the Montgomery Countryside Alliance, he is devoted to social and environmental justice. The Shofar, a well know symbol of Rosh Hashanah, is one of the earliest instruments used in Jewish music. Usually made from a ram's horn, it is the one musical instrument that has been sustained in practice from ancient times.
	Sufi Order Osamanli Naks-i'bendi Hakkani Dergahi offers their Zikr ceremony in late Saturday afternoon. The Osmanli Naks-i'bendi Hakkani Dergahi is an Islamic center for the worship of ALLAH. The Dergahi (pronounced der-ga-ha) was built and is maintained according to Islamic principles and practices. In 2003, the Dergah was blessed by the Name of Allah appearing in our pond, spelled out in snow. We are followers of the most distinguished Naks-I’bendi Hakkani Tarikat (sufi order), which traces its traditions directly back to the life-style and teachings of Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him. Sufism (‘Tasawwuf’, in Arabic) is one of the Islamic sciences. Under the guidance of a Sheykh of the Tarikat, sufism is the way of purifying oneself from bad manners and characteristics in preparation for passing clean to the afterlife. Sufism is the spirituality in Islam. The chain of transmission (of the teachings) is documented through the 40 GrandSheykhs of the Tarikat back to Abu Bakr Siddik, the first companion to whom the Prophet passed the sufi knowledge of the heart.
	Lillie Cummings, Pawnee Elder. Lillie brings her amazing voice to the Vigil annually as she sings Christian Gospel songs for the participants. Lillie is on the Pawnee Tribal Council in Oklahoma and has traveled internationally singing and sharing her traditional culture.
	Iya Ololodi (Amshatar) Monroe, Yoruba Priest and Founder of SACRED SPACE: Where Indigenous Paths Meet and Women of Spirit Online. It is only through the "Doing" of the Almighty Mother/Father God of Creation and its Spiritual Hierarchy (by whatever names they may be known) that we can do anything. With that understanding, the presence and power of the "Doer" is invoked and honored at the beginning of any significant undertaking. Iya Olofina chants to Oshun (Yoruba River Goddess) in praise, honor and invocation that Oshun would be an active spiritual force during the Water Ceremony so that it could achieve the purpose for which it had been called and be a blessing for all.
	Ani Rinchen, is an ordained monastic in Nyingma School of Vajrayana School of Buddhism. Since her ordination in 1988, Ani Rinchen has been a constant and influencing presence in the Kunzang Palyul Choling (KPC) Buddhist community close to Washington, DC, located in Poolesville, Maryland. She has represented the Buddhist community at the annual Prayer Vigil for the Earth for more than five years, where she leads participants in prayers and meditation, discusses Buddhism in Talking Circles, and leads the community in a blessing of the event's prayers and purpose through a walk around the circle.

	LaKota One Heart is of Abanoki, Lakota and French descent. LaKota One Heart (Elk With No Horns or Buffalo Woman Comes Running) is a Spiritual Dance Elder for Beautiful Painted Arrow, Medicine Wheel Healer, Metaphysical Healer, Counselor and Therapist, and Spiritual Artist. She does not teach traditional Native American Ceremony, but as a minister from her own life experiences. LaKota One Heart is a Reverend in the Order of Melchizedek.
	World Peace Prayer Ceremony leads the All the Flags of the World in Prayer, sponsored by the World Peace Prayer Society. People all over the world are joining together to bring peace to our hearts and our planet through the prayer "May Peace Prevail on Earth." This prayer for world peace carries a message of great hope and healing. It transcends barriers of nationality, race and religion to unite humanity in a call for the common good of all life on Earth.
	Mary Sunbeam, Cherokee Nation. Mary leads a blessing of children that is an ancestral ritual that honors the child's life and path of destiny which is supported by elders, family and community. The blessing also awakens in all adults the responsibility and commitment to be a model, as a child is always watching and seeking guidance. The blessing calls on the Creator to protect each child until the child can protect her/himself. The ritual honors those children who have made their transition and their spirit is at peace. The honoring of children for those in our family and the children of the world unites all cultures in the teaching of respect, understanding, compassion and tolerance in the prayer that each child in their growing leadership role can make a difference in world peace.
	Dawn Ferguson, Composer and Director of Children Singing Peace Around the World (CSPAW), CSPAW is a living prayer to heal the Earth and all who live upon her. Programs are created around the basic theme of living the lyrics of the song "Children Singing Peace Around the World". To date, CSPAW programs have been offered in Peru, Israel, Argentina, Thailand, Japan, Canada, USA, Scotland, Ireland, England, France, Australia, New Zealand and the Mohawk Nation. CSPAW programs and events are activities of the Children Singing Peace Foundation (CSPF), a non-profit organization in Hawaii. The CSPF is dedicated to laying a foundation for world harmony and global friendships via music, the arts and experiential programs in nature, fostering inner peace, awakened awareness, positive self-esteem, and a sense of oneness, community and service.
	Trudy Morse, poet and musician. A political activist in the Washington, DC area, she worked on Civil Rights, Vietnam War and other peace movements. Each year at the Prayer Vigil, Trudy recites the prayer of St. Francis for us.
	Labyrinth Society. Prehistoric labyrinths are believed to have served either as traps for malevolent spirits or as defined paths for ritual dances. During Medieval times the labyrinth symbolized a hard path to the God with a clearly defined center (God) and one entrance (birth). Labyrinths can be thought of as symbolic forms of pilgrimage; people can walk the path, ascending towards salvation or enlightenment. Many people could not afford to simply travel to holy sites and lands, so the use of labyrinths and prayer substituted that need. Later, the religious significance of labyrinths faded and they were used primarily for entertainment, although recently their spiritual aspect has seen resurgence. Many newly-made labyrinths exist today, in churches and parks, to provide people with a meditative way to relieve stresses and regrets.