December 30, 2009 > Prepare for New Year with prayers for peace Prepare for New Year with prayers for peace Submitted By Rev. Jeffrey Spencer For somewhere around a quarter century, people around the globe will gather in simultaneous local services to offer prayers for peace as they prepare to enter the New Year. Set to begin a noon Greenwich Mean Time on December 31, prayers from many different religions will be offered. "That means services will begin at 4 a.m. on the thirty-first, which for some people means the middle of the night of the thirtieth," said the Rev. Jeffrey Spencer. Spencer's church, Niles Congregational Church, will host an interfaith service this year; the public is invited. A time of fellowship will follow the service. "For years, people at St. Joseph's Church have organized and hosted this 'Prayers for Peace' service," Marge Leonard said. Now she and Helen Boyer are organizing the service at Niles Congregational Church, with some support from Spencer. "It will be a simple service," Boyer explained. "There will be readings, quiet, meditative music, and candlelight." "I'm pleased it will be an interfaith service," said Spencer. "Even if we don't have people from the various faith traditions that are part of the Tri-Cities, we plan to represent them with readings from their sacred texts or their historic leaders." "What better way to start the year than with communal aspirations for peace?" Leonard asked. What better way, indeed. Prayer for Peace Thursday, Dec 31 4 a.m. Niles Congregational Church 255 H Street, Fremont. (510) 797-0895 www.nccucc.org