Join with us to celebrate the lives of David and Priscilla (Peggy) Atwood.

They were long time members of HPJC’s Board of Directors, as well as being peace and justice advocates.

They were an inspiration to us by their dedication and persistence in working to make the world a more peaceful and just place, in many different ways.

Here’s an obituary for Peggy: https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/houston-tx/priscilla-atwood-11276319

Here’s a 2010 story, about David’s work on abolishing the death penalty, from the University of Rochester, where both he and Peggy went to college: https://www.rochester.edu/pr/Review/V72N4/05_gazette02.html

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Program for Memorial Service:

In Loving Memory

February 3, 2024
Houston Mennonite Church
1231 Wirt Road
Houston, Texas 77055

Remembering David and Priscilla Atwood

Jeff Reese
Past President, HPJC
Lee Lever
Houston Mennonite Church
Michael Atwood
David & Priscilla’s son
Sophia Moreau
longtime friend & fellow activist
The Italian Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty
A Video Visit
Song: Bella Ciao
Video: In Memory of David & Priscilla
Cathie Foley
longtime friend & fellow activist
Johnny Mata
Greater Houston Criminal Justice Coalition
Martina Grifaldo
Alianza Latina Internacional
Folclorica Fiesta Mexicana
Cherry Steinwender
The Center for the Healing of Racism
Closing
All Sing: Imagine
Joanna Blair, song leader and Bob Henschen, pianist
In the Second Line Tradition
All parade from sanctuary singing
When the Saints Go Marching In
and Down by the Riverside

Many Thanks to:

• Our host, Houston Mennonite Church
• Bob Henschen, a life-long peace activist who also plays the piano
• Joanna Blair, musician, Peace Camp teacher, environmentalist, Dirt Farmer, and mom
• Free Radicals – a treasure of Houston musicians writing songs & producing CDs and videos, performing second-line gigs and much more, & who are always willing to energize social-justice protests

— Songs —

Bella Caio (Goodbye Beautiful)

Please sing-out the refrain (bolded lines)

One morning I awakened,
oh bella ciao, bella ciao, bella ciao, ciao, ciao
One morning I awakened
And I found the invader.

Oh partisan carry me away,
oh bella ciao, bella ciao, bella ciao, ciao, ciao
oh partisan carry me away
Because I feel death approaching.

And if I die as a partisan,
oh bella ciao, bella ciao, bella ciao, ciao, ciao
and if I die as a partisan
then you must bury me.

Bury me up in the mountain,
oh bella ciao, bella ciao, bella ciao, ciao, ciao
bury me up in the mountain
under the shade of a beautiful flower.

And all those who shall pass,
oh bella ciao, bella ciao, bella ciao, ciao, ciao
and all those who shall pass
will tell me “what a beautiful flower.”

This is the flower of the partisan,
oh bella ciao, bella ciao, bella ciao, ciao, ciao
this is the flower of the partisan
who died for freedom

Imagine

Imagine there’s no heaven
It’s easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us, only sky

Imagine all the people
Livin’ for today Ah

Imagine there’s no countries
It isn’t hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion, too

Imagine all the people
Livin’ life in peace—-You
You may say I’m a dreamer
But I’m not the only one

I hope someday you’ll join us
And the world will be as one

Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man

Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world
You

You may say I’m a dreamer
But I’m not the only one
I hope someday you’ll join us
And the world will live as one

Down By the Riverside

Verse 1
Gonna lay down my sword & shield
Down by the riverside,
Down by the riverside,
Down by the riverside,
Gonna lay down my sword & shield
Down by the riverside
I’lll study war no more.

CHORUS
ain’t gonna study war no more,
I ain’t gonna study war no more,
I ain’t gonna study war no more.
I ain’t gonna study war no more,
I ain’t gonna study war no more
I ain’t gonna study war no more

Verse 2
Gonna join hands
around the world
Down by the riverside,
Down by the riverside,
Down by the riverside,
Gonna join hands
around the world
Down by the riverside,
I’ll study war no more

(Chorus)

Verse 3
Gonna lay down my burden
Down by the riverside,
Down by the riverside,
Down by the riverside,
Gonna lay down my burden
Down by the riverside,
I’ll study war no more

(Chorus)

Verse 4
Gonna disarm those atom bombs
Down by the riverside,
Down by the riverside,
Down by the riverside,
Gonna disarm those atom bombs
Down by the riverside,
I’ll study war no more.

(Chorus)

When the Saints Go Marching In

Well, when the saints go marching in
Yes, when the saints go marching in
Oh, Lord, I want to, to be in that number
When the saints go marching in

Well, when the saints go marching in, yeah
That’s when the saints go marching in
Oh, Lord, I want to be in Your number
When the saints go marching in

Well, now, when the saints go marching in
Ooh, when the saints go marching in
Oh, Lord, I, I’ve gotta be in that number
When the saints go marching in

Well, now, when the saints go marching in
Yes, when the saints go marching, ooh
I’ve got to be in that number
When the saints go marching in

— Tributes —

• Donate to a social justice organization in remembrance of Priscilla and David.
• Donate to an animal protection organization.
• Let your memories of their dedication sustain you as you continue work to build the Beloved Community.