This year’s Annual Peace Light service, held at Luton’s All Saints Church on Shaftesbury Road, was all about praying for peace with justice in our world.
For over twenty years, local scouts, civic guests, and friends from other faith communities have gathered to welcome the peace light flame brought from Bethlehem to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ which Christians mark as Christmas.
The Revd Canon David Kesterton, Vicar, Parish of All Saints with St Peter and Church of England Area Dean of Luton said, “The aim is to pass on the peace light and its message to as many people as possible. By keeping the peace light at our Church we are participating in an expression of peace and goodwill to all peoples that transcends ethnicities, cultures, political and religious barriers.”
A reader at All Saints Church, Sandra Miller lit a few candles for peace in the Holy Land, and for peace in several other parts of the world too.
Members from different faith communities included Maqsood Anwar of Madinah Mosque, who said it is heartbreaking and distressing to see so many people being killed in the ongoing wars and violent conflicts across the world and yet different nations are busy selling and providing arms and ammunition. Sanjeev Kumar, MBE of Guru Ravidass Sangat quoted verses on peace from the Sikh Holy Scripture called Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. Yogesh Mistry of Shree Sanatan Sewa Samaj Hindu Mandir recited mantras (verses) in Sanskrit language invoking peace on earth, in the universe, and in all the elements of nature.
The guest speaker Revd Luke Larner from Luton’s St Andrew’s Church shared how the 13th Century Italian Saint Francis had transformed from being a rebel fighter to becoming an outstanding peace champion. At the time St Francis lived there was terrible violence going on in the Holy Land, just like there is now. St Francis encouraged Christians and Muslims to be friends and show one another kindness.
Revd Luke, therefore, called upon everyone to think of the acts of love, solidarity and peace we can do in our everyday lives. He said, “Let us stand together as peace candles in the dark, and never let go out that light we share.” AMEN.
Members from different Christian denominations and Luton’s different faith communities gathered at this year’s Annual Peace Light service, held at Luton’s All Saints Church on Shaftesbury Road. They welcomed the peace light flame brought from Bethlehem and joined in praying for peace with justice in our world.
