Gratitude for your Light, your Hearts and your Voices in Norwich will stay with me. What a spark you have left in our little VT town. You have filled us all with such energy and such hope. I shall remember your spirited faces and your powerful message for always. One Light, Many Candles was pure delight and a much needed gift to our whole wide world. Our candles are lit.
With deep appreciation and love,
Jody B. Thetford
Vermont
Betty and Noel Paul Stookey blessed the Guilford Community College community with their deeply moving "One Light, Many Candles" program. Combining Betty's insightful and dynamic words about the power of God's revelation through the multi-faith community and Noel's guitar and vocals, the presentation touched our hearts and inspired us to see our religious diversity as a source of strength - leading us to delight in that of God in everyone."
Max Carter, PhD.
Former Director, Friends Center Guilford College
We have much more in common than we see, and we see more differences than there are. I went home thinking about the kind of world I would like, not just the kind of world we have inherited.
Unitarian Universalist Church
Key West, Florida
Rev. Stookey makes the very important point that “One Light, Many Candles” is a “multi-faith” celebration, rather than “inter-faith.” That’s an extremely important distinction because it signals a “willing acceptance” over “forced tolerance.” To me, there’s nothing wrong with this world being different from person to person. In fact, that’s our greatest strength. For that reason, Rev. Stookey’s message is far more than a mere tribute paid to the various religions of the world; it’s a light that gives us a glimpse into what humanity at peace could look like.
John Boit
Senior Partner, Melwood Global
Reverend Stookey is passionate in her commitment to multifaith living. Her commitment to multifaith life is authentic because it stems from a deep reverence for this country's potential to model for the world how a pluralistic society may not only survive, but thrive.
The Reverend Canon Jude Harmon
Grace Cathedral. San Francisco, CA
In this luminous compilation, multi-faith wise woman, Betty Stookey, and her husband Noel Paul Stookey (of folk legend, Peter Paul and Mary), celebrate the essence of love and justice at the heart of the world’s faith traditions. Through spoken word and song, reverent silence and wild joy, Betty and Noel lift and transform our common heart. This is the elixir our thirsty world needs now and always.
Mirabai Starr
Author of 'God of Love: A Guide to the Heart of Judaism', 'Christianity and Islam and Wild Mercy: Living the Fierce and Tender Wisdom of the Women Mystics'
Betty's reflections and Paul's music led us to an experience of and respect for unity in diversity, and opened our hearts and minds to an insightful and productive conversation after the presentation.
Reverend Gary Vencil
Reversing Falls Sanctuary, Brooksville, Maine
The message of love - at the root of all religions - shines through in the marriage of Noels voice and Bettys carefully curated words and prayers. Their message is especially important today when love and kindness must be the only response to the daily challenges in our lives" It is what will save us.
Claire Willis, LICSW
Author of Lasting Words: A Guide To Finding Meaning Toward The Close of Life.
“One Light, Many Candles” lives up to its name, illuminating the heart and mind with the shared insight of the world’s wisdom traditions. At times rollicking, at others meditative, it is a celebration of love in service to the world. I was edified and inspired by Betty and Noel Stookey’s vision of what the human race holds in common, a sense that we are — beyond all else — one people with enormous responsibilities toward each other and the planet we call home.
Dana Sawyer
Professor Emeritus of Religion and Philosophy at the Maine College of Art, Author of Aldous Huxley, a Biography and Huston Smith: Wisdomkeeper, the authorized biography of the renowned scholar of world religions
One Light Many Candles was a transformative experience. My Christian faith was ever deepened and enriched by learning how other faith traditions relate to mine and that we are all drawing together to the one great Source. Love.
Dr. Jane Hagness
Minister of Music. First Parish Church UCC, Brunswick Maine