Let’s Talk: About Peace

by Conference Minister Diane Weible

The war in Ukraine is heartbreaking. We lift up our prayers for those who are fighting and for those who are fleeing to find safety, leaving behind family members who remain to fight. We pray for God’s peace to prevail in the midst of this horrendous war and look for ways we can make a difference.

The tragic war in Ukraine dominates the news cycle but we all know it is not the only place where people fear for their lives and are forced to flee. From violence on our own streets to the real fear that members of our community experience, especially the fear felt towards those who are expected to protect them; to the global crisis of climate change that is destroying communities and will continue to do so; to the effects of pandemic—economic and personal; to…..

I wish there was space to list every place in our communities and in the world that need our attention and prayer and love, but it is not possible. There are too many places to name. It can be overwhelming at times.

We can’t do everything to address the injustices and pain that we see and that we feel. And, we can all do some thing. What is one thing that you can do today that will make a difference in the life of another—whether it be a family member, friend, community member, citizen of this country or of the world, a child of God?

As that well-known song goes: “Let peace begin with me and let it begin today….”

Today is St. Patrick’s Day. Whatever St. Patrick’s Day means to you (to me, it is the day my youngest child was born), let us join together in remembering words from the prayer of St. Patrick as a guide for our work and our life as we find those places to further peace in our world and the world around us.

May the Strength of God pilot us.
May the Power of God preserve us.
May the Wisdom of God instruct us.
May the Hand of God protect us.
May the Way of God direct us.
May the Shield of God defend us.
May the Host of God guard us

Against the snares of the evil ones,
Against temptations of the world.

May Christ be with us!
May Christ be before us!
May Christ be in us,
Christ be over all!