Thank you for supporting the 2005 Annual Weekend of Services for World Peace promoted by the World Disarmament Campaign and the Fellowship of Reconciliation. Around the world many faith communities and peace organisations are working for peace and reconciliation locally, nationally and globally. At this time of heightened tension in the world, we need to do all we can to support that work and to witness in our own communities to the power of peace and nonviolence . We very much hope that this year’s pack will help you to ‘Witness for Peace in a World of Conflict’.

For twenty years, this special peace weekend has been an opportunity for individuals, local congregations and ecumenical groups to pray, reflect together and consider the possibility of further action. As always, we need your help to enable the weekend to continue. If you are able to make a donation or take a collection at your service to towards the costs of the weekend and for the work of our organisations in general, we would be extremely grateful (cheques payable to ‘World Disarmament Campaign’).

Please note this is only a very small selection of the material. If you would like to order a pack please contact us.

Praise and thanksgiving

Living God,
we praise you for your holiness,
your righteousness and justice.
We praise you for creating a world
of such variety and beauty.
We praise you
for creating people
to live in harmony on the earth.
We thank you
that you are a God of peace
and that you call your people
to walk the way of peace.
We thank you
for sending your Son, the Prince of peace
and pray that you will keep us faithful
in working for justice and peace in his name.

Confession

Heavenly Father,
each child is precious to you
and it grieves you when anybody harms them.
We confess that in our world
too often children are caught up in conflicts.
For the suffering of children,
for the loss of lives in infancy,
victims of bullets and bombs.
R, Forgive us , Lord.

For the destruction of homes,
for the killing of parents,
in communal punishment.
R. Forgive us, Lord.

For targeted assassinations,
for tragic deaths amongst the elderly,
for communities shattered.
R. Forgive us, Lord.

For the uprooting of trees,
for the theft of water,
for the degrading of the environment.
R. Forgive us , Lord.
Help us to renew the land and heal its people.

Meditation on a divided land

A shot rings out
and a Palestinian child
falls across her school desk, fatally wounded.

A loud explosion is heard
and more Israelis on a bus
suffer horrendous injuries and death.

When will the conflict end?
It cannot end until justice is established
throughout the Land.

God grant that violence may cease,
that reconciliation may begin
and healing follow.

Throughout the Holy Land
may water be a gift shared by all.
May the olive trees flourish
and crops be abundant.
May each community respect the other
and all work together
for justice and for peace.