Border crossing is a crucial contemporary issue. No one chooses to be a refugee. No one wants to leave home. The vast majority of people don’t want to move to another country. However, dangers to life force people to move.
Each year up to 1 billion people cross a border. Every two seconds, a person is forced to flee for safety. Every day 44,000 more people are driven from their homes. The evidence of this is seen in the high number of refugees and asylum seekers abruptly relocated to Luton, whose safety and wellbeing is put at risk due to their placement in entirely unsuitable housing.
It is commendable that despite hostility and division pushed by politicians and the press, thousands of ordinary people around the country are stepping up to support people seeking sanctuary in our communities. At the start of this year, Luton also received a ‘City of Sanctuary’ status.
Bearing these factors in mind, this year Luton’s Annual Peace Light service theme was “Sanctuary”.
For over twenty years, local scouts, civic guests and friends from other faith communities have gathered in December for the Annual Peace Light service at All Saints Church in Luton. A flame is brought from Bethlehem to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ which Christians mark as Christmas.
Although the Bethlehem Peace Light could not be carried this year in time for the service due to the terrible weather, All Saints Church welcomed its own Peace Light.
During the service, The Revd Canon David Kesterton, Vicar, Parish of All Saints with St Peter and C of E Area Dean of Luton said, “By sharing the Peace Light we participate in an expression of peace and goodwill to all peoples transcending national, ethnic, political and religious barriers.”
In her talk, Reader at All Saints Church, Sandra Miller reminded of our responsibilities, not just to our neighbours but also to the strangers.
Members from different faith communities also echoed these sentiments and called for collective responsibility to creating a just society, and providing asylum and refugee protection.
Mayor of Luton Cllr Sameera Saleem concluded the service saying, “May this light be a sign of the peace and understanding that we all long for in our town and beyond.”
The Revd Canon David Kesterton (L), Vicar, Parish of All Saints with St Peter and C of E Area Dean of Luton, Sandra Miller, Reader at All Saints (R ), sharing the Peace Light with Mayor of Luton Cllr Sameera Saleem
Members from different faith communities sharing the Peace Light at the annual commemoration of the Peace Light Service held at All Saints Church Luton