In a moment of inspiration Tomas Atencio shared with us his desire to create a "gigantic origami peace crane." When that idea was shared with others, the Holy Spirit spread the enthusiasm and before we knew it a large group was planning to come together to "make it happen."

On October 2, World Communion Sunday, we took up our denomination’s Peace offering. After worship the youth group from Covenant Presbyterian Church in Albuquerque joined the youth from SOTV for lunch and fellowship. They then proceeded out to the parking lot, where a 40’ x 40’ square of butcher block paper had been laid out on tarps. Following instructions, they folded and unfolded until the basic shape began to take form. The group, with much care, lifted the unfinished paper crane and carried it into the gathering space. What a sight that was!

And it reminded us all that peace can be a fragile thing if we are relying on our own strength to accomplish it!

After the work of art was completed, Shelton Caldwell and others erected it, displaying it for all to wonder, "why is there a pterodactyl in the gathering space?"