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Peace on the Street

I saw his bed first – a sleeping bag covered by a blue tarp outside a bus shelter on a busy Toronto corner, but it was neither sheltered nor private. A steady stream of people passed it on their way to the nearby offices, shops and hospitals, collars turned up against the cold. Descending the steps to the subway, I saw a man in the corridor, sitting on a Webster’s dictionary. Another similarly-sized tome rested on a bag beside him; whether to sit on or read, I didn’t yet know.

Our "Loaves and Fishes" (video)

When we look at the world's needs, and how much effort is required to maintain or restore peace, peacebuilding can seem daunting. To maintain my own peace in the struggle, I try to remember that I am only required to offer that which I can. Now, that may be a lot - it might be sacrificial financial resources, a lot of time, energy, and skills - but it will be possible. To be consistent with peace, my contributions have to be offered with peace, and they will grow over time, as I learn and grow.

Why Ever War? A Poem by Larry Gibbs

Why ever war? That's a question Larry Gibbs has been asking himself ever since he saw this military cemetery in Sainte Avold, France, when he was eleven years old. Larry shares, "This is one of our family photos of Sainte Avold Cemetery in France. I was not quite 12 years old when we visited it in 1961.... I was so struck by the image, and the immense tragedy that it represented, that I wrote the first verse of my poem then.

Peaceful Practices : Choose Predictability and Harmony

If you happen to be feeling discombobulated in these times, you are not alone! A sense of disorganization or mini-trauma creeps in when we cannot do what we always do. One of the leading trauma experts, Bessel vanderKolk, defines trauma as being in a situation that we are helpless to change, and which seems endless (hmmm, that sounds familiar!). I have learned much from Bessel in terms of how to handle trauma, and have added some of his best “tips” in this piece.

Finding Peace in God’s Mysterious Will

This is a sermon I delivered on the Sunday in Advent devoted to peace. It is best experienced aurally, and I invite you to listen to it instead of read it, below.

Good morning. Today I want to share a message on something that is very close to my heart – peace. Over many years I’ve travelled to over 20 countries seeking stories which nurture the empathy which builds peace. This month, we are going on an advent journey together, to Bethlehem. Today, we will make two stops – first, to Mary’s home, and then, to Elizabeth and Zechariah’s.

 

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