PORT ANGELES — A Gathering for Hope devoted to the theme of building bridges and working together is planned at noon Saturday at the Clallam County Courthouse.
A welcome and music by the Interfaith Community of Clallam County Peace Choir is planned at the courthouse at 223 E. Fourth St.
The group will then walk to the Elwha Klallam Heritage Center at First and Peabody streets.
This event, the brainchild of local family doctors Ned Hammar and Lissa Lubinski, is free and open to the public.
The gathering has been organized in light of the contentious presidential election.
“Many people from all backgrounds and political leanings found themselves wondering how we can move forward in a civil and constructive way,” said Hammar and Lubinski.
“All are welcome,” Hammar said Friday. “It’s a nonpartisan gathering. I personally would love to hear from people who don’t think like I do.”
Event’s organizers
Organizers now include an ad hoc group of community members that includes educators, farmers, government employees, nurses, ministers, musicians, small-business owners, social workers, physicians, students and nurses, according to a news release.
“In keeping with the theme of building bridges and working together, the group asks that you bring your good energy but requests that signs stay at home,” organizers said.
At the heritage center, Zaya Marimba, a Port Angeles-based group, will provide music, a storyteller will share a tale and the center will have food available.
There, participants can share their hope for the community in 100 words or less.
The main event will be for community members to share their hopes aloud with the gathering.
For those too shy to speak in front of a group, organizers will have folks available to read for them.
People working with volunteer groups in the community are invited to share not only their personal vision but also a few words about their group’s efforts.
Art supplies will be on hand for children — or adults — to draw or write. Participants later will be able to transfer their written hopes to fabric for a public art piece, organizers said.
Organizers expect activities to wrap up at about 3 p.m., with some time afterward for connecting.
Organizers hope the gathering will be “part celebration of what we love about where we live and part foundation for an ongoing community conversation.”
Said Hammar: “We hope our efforts will inspire, energize and bring people together to do good work.
“I have a faith in the potential for love and goodness that all of us have.
“Recent events have held up a mirror, and what we see isn’t pretty.”
Candlelight vigils
Hammar also has started a candlelight vigil for peace from 5:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. every Wednesday on the steps of the Clallam County Courthouse.
“It’s inspired by the same kind of motivation” as the Gathering for Hope, Hammar said. “It’s to reach out and try to create some positive energy.”
For more information and planning purposes, email gatherhope@gmail.com.
