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Peace Sunday

I think that all of humanity is aching right now, considering the horrible atrocities that are taking place around the world.
Each day the news is full of reasons to worry, to grieve and to fear. Even as we process events from a distance, we know we are all connected in so many ways. Seeking some kind of hope and light amid the shadows, we rely on our spiritual practices to stand in the gap between courage and despair.

Thank you to those who responded to the invitation to light a candle and offer a prayer in our sanctuary this week. Tuesday, October 17 was designated by the World Council of Churches as a Day of Prayer for the people of Israel and Palestine. The United Church of Canada is one of the affiliated denominations of the WCC and so we respond together, as families do, at times of crises.

Tuesday turned into a very busy day for me. After I prepared the sanctuary for our prayers, I wasn’t able to return to that space until later in the afternoon. When I did, my heart was warmed to see a few candles lit and a lovely beam of light in the background offering a small sense of hope on a difficult day. Thank you for holding space and illuminating God’s presence in our community.

Peace Sunday is celebrated on the fourth Sunday of October, or the Sunday before Remembrance Day. This year we will have so much on our minds as we consider our call as faithful people to the ways of justice and peace in the world.

Peace and joy,
Nancy