Peace Day 2025: Coming Together for Unity and Hope
On Saturday, September 20th, HMI had the privilege of hosting Peace Day 2025 at the Arlington Library in Riverside, CA. This year’s celebration marked a special milestone—the 10th anniversary of this annual event.
Organized in collaboration with Rose Monge and Marilyn Sequoia, co-chairs of the Inland Communities Fellowship of Reconciliation (ICFOR), with support from the Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity, the day brought together a diverse community of individuals and organizations united by a shared vision of peace, justice, and unity.
Led by our MC, Ipyani Lockert of Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity, the event was filled with powerful moments of reflection, dialogue, and connection. Featured speaker Adam Wedeking, President of the Universalist Unitarian Church of Riverside, spoke about the importance of local peacebuilding. He reminded us that creating a more peaceful world begins with the work we do in our own neighborhoods and communities, offering practical ways to make a tangible difference here in the Inland Empire.
From HMI’s own community, Dr. Selin Nielsen, HMI’s founder and president, shared a heartfelt reflection on the journey of this annual celebration and how it has grown since its very first gathering in 2015. Communications Director Allison Severns then shared 10 actionable steps for creating a more peaceful world, featured in a special 2025 Peace Day Zine that was distributed to attendees, encouraging everyone to take the message of peace beyond the walls of the library.
Dr. Nielsen also introduced the event’s second featured speaker, Anastasiia Krylova, Community Liaison for the Ukrainian Newcomer Support Program. Anastasiia shared her powerful, real-life story of leaving for a vacation only to become stranded in California as she watched, from afar, the heartbreaking news of her home country, Ukraine, being invaded.
Through her story, Anastasiia described her journey of displacement, the challenges of wartime realities, and the compassion she found in the Southern California community that welcomed her as a new neighbor. Her message was a reminder of the profound impact of kindness and the importance of solidarity in times of crisis.
Throughout the program, the Riverside Resistance Revival Chorus, led by Kris Lovekin, filled the room with uplifting peace songs, adding a moving and joyful energy to the gathering. The event concluded with an engaging activity, “Finding Common Ground,” facilitated by HMI’s own Hsin-Yu Teresa Hsu-Contreras. Participants formed a large circle and were invited to step in as they resonated with prompts such as, “Join the circle if…” visibly discovering the values and experiences they shared with fellow peace advocates.
Community members, partners, and friends joined hands to reaffirm our collective commitment to building bridges across differences and creating spaces rooted in compassion and understanding. Together, we celebrated not only the idea of peace but also the active work it takes to nurture it in our neighborhoods and beyond.
We are deeply grateful to all who attended and supported this meaningful gathering. Your presence was a true reminder of the strength we find in community.
A special thank you goes out to our incredible supporting organizations for their partnership: Fellowship of Reconciliation (FOR), Civil Rights Institute, Riverside Resistance Revival Chorus, Riverside Interfaith Council,and the Center for Spiritual Living. Each of these organizations embodies the spirit of peace and justice, and we are honored to have worked alongside them.
As we reflect on Peace Day 2025, we carry forward the message that peace is not just a single day on the calendar, it is an ongoing commitment. By standing together, sharing our voices, and lifting one another up, we can continue shaping a more compassionate and peaceful future for all.
