Trail of Hope

Holding his dream in his heart, William Penn sighted the Delaware Bay in 1682 and arrived at Shackamaxon, where he was greeted by its inhabitants, Lenape Indians.
It was here, next to the gently flowing waters of the Delaware River, and under the shade of Great Elm tree William Penn entered into the Great Treaty with Chief Tamanend.
Those two leaders made a covenant of peace, love and friendship with one another. A powerful commitment witnessed before heaven and earth. It spoke of Faith and Unity, and it spoke of Hope.

Rediscovering the SEED of Peace

To raise awareness of the significance of Chief Tamanend, William Penn’s Treaty of Friendship and its principals of social justice, peace, liberty, freedom, and mutual respect, while connecting the history of our past to the events of present day, the Trail of Hope brings together universal truths among humankind.
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Here is a schedule of this Celebration of Hope:

It will be held Saturday, March 24, 2012. It’s open to All and All are welcome.

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8:30am — Gathering in the Penn Treaty Park.
9:00am – Leaving the Park; start of the 11 miles walk.
2:00pm – arriving at Haverford College; gathering under a descendant of the Great Elm Tree, where celebration will take place.

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Walking 11 miles is not necessary; you’re very welcome to join us at any point.
My sincere thanks to Haverford Collage Arboretum for their constant support, good heart and generosity.
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William Penn approached Chief Tamanend:
“The great Spirit, who made me and you, who rules the heavens and the earth, and who knows the innermost thoughts of men, knows that I and my friends have a hearty desire to live in peace and friendship with you.”
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Chief Tamanend declared:
“We will live in love with William Penn and his children as long as the creeks and rivers run, and while the sun and moon and stars endure.”
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Shackamaxon, present day Fishtown – Philadelphia neighborhood in pictures.

The actual Way of Saint James, el Camino de Santiago

  towards the Spanish and Le Chemin de Saint Jacques is actually a 1,000-year old pathway from France to northern Spain.

Millions of pilgrims stepped throughout the years. Some journey by foot, a few cycle bikes as well as some also by horse back. There are a number diverse tracks and beginnings of the trail. The actual walk leads to the town of Santiago de Compostela exactly where the remains of Saint James are laid to rest.

Backpackers walk the trail as a quest and a way of experiencing and uncovering personal life. There are a lot of unique causes for trekking the Camino de Santiago.                  

Catholics tend to be hiking as a faith based pilgrimage, a journey of amazing christian importance adhering to in the actions of many other pilgrims. Some others tend to be walking for a spiritual magnitude, seeking to restore to discover or …..

It’s Never Too Late to Find The Way

The WAY (taken from Facebook)

“THE WAY” a film on the Camino de Santiago trail.

“THE WAY” delivers numerous messages for those who desire to hear.

It had been created as well as directed by Emilio Estevez, and had been filmed fully in Spain and France alongside the actual Camino de Santiago.

THE WAY is a strong as well as inspirational tale around family, friends and the obstacles all of us encounter while walking this ever-changing and challenging entire world.

Martin Sheen plays Tom, an American physician who arrives to France to recover the remains of his grownup son (performed by Emilio Estevez), who died while trekking the particular Camino de Santiago.

To pay tribute to his son’s wish to complete the trail, Tom makes a decision to embark on the famous pilgrimage.

As many walking the trail, so is Tom, will discover their own personal significance in the journey, and the powerful outcome this trip will have. En route, Tom encounters various other pilgrims from around the globe, each and every one with their individual quest and searching for higher significance within their existence.

                           Little by little Tom starts to understand exactly what it signifies to be a citizen of the world. Through many unforeseen encounters along “The Way”, Tom learns the actual distinction between:   

“The Life we Live and the Life we Choose.”

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Estevez has pointed out in interviews that the film is really a spiritual movie and not a religious one.                Ann Hornaday of the Washington Post writes that “The Way” rewards are as rich for the secular as for the more spiritually inclined.”

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THE WAY – Official Trailer
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The Truly Amazing Elm Tree agreement at Shackamaxon perceived right before heaven and earth William Penn and Chief Tamanend representing their unique nations, created the understanding of peacefulness, friendship along with love. This assembly was not to trade or even acquire any territory but to rejoice and confirm the friendly relationship of love and dedication. Next towards the moving rich waters of the Delaware River and beneath the outstretched boughs of a Great Elm tree has been recognized what has been known as the Great Treaty.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Reviewing out of books relates this history regarding the agreement created among these two nations as:

Great Elm Tree at Haverford Collage

There endures just the basic oral custom concerning the actual Great Elm, and the certain recollections associated with an aged woman that stated to have got seen the actual event as a youthful young lady. The woman recalled it strongly not due to the fact she recognized at the time its historic importance: parleys with the Indians had been frequent situations on the frontier in those days.                               She remembered it clearly due to the fact Penn had been the handsomest person she had ever before experienced, prior to or even since. This woman furthermore informed of the special event following the actual agreement formalities concluded. The attractive Penn had been wondrous, his state of mind overflowing. He consumed the Indian meals with relish, and settled to learn their own language so he could communicate with his brand new friends personally.

And then something remarkable occurred that created the night even more unforgettable to the young girl. The Indians started dancing in celebration, to jump as well as jump with the throb of the drums, and to whoop and chant their particular unusual sounds.                                        

Ultimately Penn could contain himself no longer. no occasion for dismal sternness. Then there he was, amazingly, there was Governor William Penn up dancing with the Indians, bouncing and screaming and wiggling as if trying to be more Indian than the Indians.

Turning from the wonder of the young lady at this good looking gentleman dancing with abandon, we can just picture the actual surprise of Penn’s party at this particular break of decorum. Had Penn completely taken depart of his senses?

For short lived time a few must have worried that Penn would remove off his garments to totally free his braches. 

There was a time for dignity, and a time for ecstasy. 

It is this agreement, the particular covenant created among these two nations that became a witness and an instance towards the nations when these two individuals’ communities accepted each other beneath the Great Elm on the banks of the awesome Delaware River: the Indians and the white man. 

This had been a strong precedent which kept within its Genetics a value of all individuals. It talked of trust and unity. It spoke of hope. This has been the creating blocks of independence.

These two nations, represented by their particular leaders, William Penn and Chief Tamanend, created a agreement of peace, friendship and love, one with the other. An important strong dedication was exchanged face to face and heart to heart. It was the required component needed for maintaining both these nations together within a enduring relationship of common admiration and love.

Of this Great Treaty, Voltaire, the French author stated: “the only league made between those nations which was never sworn to by oath, and never violated.”

Let’s celebrate; March 24 will mark first anniversary of the Trail of Hope.                                                                                                      Everybody is invited to join me in a commemorating walk this day from Penn Treaty Park to the descendent of Great Elm in Haverford. (11 miles)

Much more information to follow…. Come one, come all … Let’s Celebrate!