Let there be peace on Earth, and let it begin with me… now.
You’ve walked for peace with us in the city streets of Richmond, Virginia. Now we’re asking you to come a little further — out past the traffic and the noise, into the country, where the ground has its own story to tell.
We are gathering at Amelia Court House, Virginia, for a Picnic for Peace.
This is not a march. There are no speeches scheduled and no agenda to rush through. This is something quieter and, we think, something deeper — a chance to sit together on land that has held extraordinary history. Land that once saw the final desperate days of a broken army. Land that was farmed by hands whose names were never recorded. Land that the Appomattox River has been flowing past for centuries, patient and unhurried, long before any of us arrived.
We are coming here to remember. To breathe. To be in community with one another and with the earth beneath us.
Where Are We Meeting?
We will gather Saturday, April 25 at The Clearing 14006 Genito Rd Amelia Court House from 12:00 to 8:00 pm. Come when you’re ready.
The location is 75 acres of woodland that is surrounded by farms and wildlife preserve. It’s very secluded.
There is a kitchen, bathroom, meeting space, fire pit, playground, and trail. We also have access to a pavilion.
Tell Me About the Day
We don’t have an agenda, only an intention to gather in peace.
We will eat, walk, talk, meditate on peace, or do whatever we feel called to do.
There is a trail onsite. It’s natural and wide, so wear sturdy shoes and long pants if you want to talk it. There probably aren’t any burrs or poison ivy yet, but it’s best to be prepared.
As always, the location is consciously chosen to bring attention and healing to places with a history of suffering so that our peaceful presence may uplift the Earth, animals, and humans who live here. If you’d like more information about it, click here.
What’s the Vibe?
This is a peaceful, spiritual gathering.
Not to suppress thought — but to let the inner chatter soften.
To listen more deeply.
To tune into your breath, your body, the birds, the river, and your connection to the living world.
Before we begin, you are invited to turn off your phone — to set aside the hum of the world — and tune instead to the quieter currents within.
Let the mind settle.
Let the body lead.
Let the birds, the trees, and the ground beneath your feet become your teachers.
Silence gives space for the inner voice to be heard — the one that knows how to listen, how to belong, how to remember its place in the living web.
You are welcome to wear orange, if you wish, as a gesture of solidarity with the monks walking for peace whose presence and devotion inspired this gathering.
We walk not to fix the world from a distance,
but to take responsibility for our part in it —
to carry peace in our nervous systems,
to let it move through our steps,
and to offer it back to the Earth and to one another.
Who Can Come?
Everyone is welcome.
Well behaved children are a joy to have with us.
The trail is not suitable for those in a wheelchair or with mobility issues; however, everyone can sit in the meeting house.
Is This Religious?
No. If you’d like to bring your spirituality or religion with you, please do. However, please do not share it with others in this space. It’s not the time or place. We’re here to cultivate peace in our own way together.
How Much Does It Cost?
We are grateful to be welcomed onto this land, and there is a $15 donation requested per person to help cover the cost of the site. Pay what you can. No one will be turned away for lack of funds — please reach out privately if you need support.
Please also bring something to eat to share in the spirit of reciprocity. Share something from your culture or something you love to eat.
If you’d like to make a small donation to cover the cost of this website, stickers, pins, and on going promotion for this event, you can do that here.
Is This a Protest?
No. Please leave your signs, rage, and politics at home. This event is about cultivating inner peace. We believe that once we are peaceful inside, peace outside is the natural result.
How Can I Help?
Be peaceful. Be kind.
Walk on your own in Nature with the inner intention to be silent.
Talk to your friends and family about your desire to create peace.
Gather your friends and do your own walk for peace.
Create “walk for peace” event of your own. Nobody owns this idea. The more the merrier.
Don’t wait for an organization, church, or government to lead the way. Be the change.
If you’d like to arrange a walk and advertise it on this website, come to a walk and introduce yourself. Share your plans (when, where, etc) and I will post it. Check back here for upcoming walks.
I Can’t Make It. Will You Do It Again?
As long as people keep showing up, I’ll keep arranging this so that people can walk together. It’s more fun together, isn’t it? Just check this page for updates on upcoming walks.