New Travelling Peace Exhibition
The Methodist Peace Fellowship has launched a new touring exhibition which explores the strands of peace found within the Methodist story. Viewers of the exhibition will learn how three centuries of Methodist people have responded to Jesus’s Gospel of Peace. They are then challenged to think about what they are called to do for peace today.
Key people and ideas highlighted within the exhibition include Rev John Wesley’s comments on the inhumanity of war, Rev Dr Inderjit Bhogal’s lifetime work for Sanctuary, and Rev Sybil Phoenix’s pioneering anti-racism work and training course. The conclusion of the exhibition mixes images and prayers with a call to mark the UN International Day of Peace and Peace Sunday.
Rev Dr Barbara Glasson, President of the Peace Fellowship, welcomed the new exhibition as timely and important. She said:
“Was there ever a more important time to resist violence and reconcile communities? Methodists across the world have an impressive heritage of peace building, not just in our history but also in our current actions. Well done Methodist Peace Fellowship for reminding us of the peaceful imperative of following Jesus!”
The exhibition was put together by a volunteer group of members of the Peace Fellowship. It has been on display at Diaconal Convocation, Cliff Fest and will now be going to the 2024 Methodist Conference before being available for local churches and circuits to book
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Expressions of interest can be made via this form.
Image: Mohammed Ibrahim - Unsplash
Image: Mohammed Ibrahim - Unsplash
Israel & Gaza
The Methodist Peace Fellowship has released the following prayer in relation to the outbreak of violence in Israel and Gaza:
Oh Jerusalem, how we long for all peoples to be gathered up under the wings of peace and yet your heart is shattered and your sides pierced by swords of grief.
Beloved city, may mercy and justice walk in your streets and markets, show us how to look into each others eyes with love and equity so that all humanity might die to violence and live to trust our neighbours once again.
The Network of Christian Peace Organisations has written an open letter to James Cleverly, the Foreign Secretary, on the escalation of violence in Israel and Gaza. Details, and an invitation to add personal signatures, are given here: ncpo.org.uk/israel-gaza-october23
Ukraine
Our President, Barbara Glasson, published a letter in March 2022 calling all Methodists, all people of faith, all humanity to take steps of prophetic action in the face of the current invasion of Ukraine.
