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The Unitarian Peace Fellowship was founded in 1916, the UPF is a fellowship within the General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches, for those who witness to the belief that war and preparations for war are sins against God (sic) and failures of humanity, and who believe that right relationships can only be established through understanding and love. Members pledge themselves to the promotion of goodwill, justice and peace between people and nations. Members are supported in their individual work and witness for peace by the network that exists in the denomination. Information is disseminated via the newsletter.
The UPF sponsors an annual Appeal on behalf of peace-related projects, and organises the Peace Vigil and Peace Vespers at the General Assembly Meetings. http://www.ukunitarians.org.uk/peace/index.htm For the latest Unitarian peace Fellowship Newsletter please see link at the bottom of this page.
The Great Meeting Peace Fellowship is a new initiative and will take shape over time.
On Sunday 26th september at 6pm the evening Service had a Peace Theme as part of the Peace Days 2010 events organised by Uniting for Peace.
Below are some useful links and other material.
A Prayer for Remembrance Sunday; a Prayer for Peace.
Spirit of life and love, known by many names and none. We gather in thankful remembrance of those who have sacrificed their lives for the freedom and safety of others; but also in shame at the wars we have failed to stop and the actions taken in our name. Bless those who mourn, and those whose lives are blighted by such terrible memories, be they military or civilian. Bless those who carry the scars of war with them for the rest of their lives and those who care for them. Bless those whose safety is currently compromised through war and violence at this time, no matter where in the world. May forgiveness be found, personally and nationally, that all can learn to live in peace. We acknowledge that death recognizes not the colour of uniform, nor the age or gender of victim. That death and destruction comes because of our failure - our greed - our indifference. Let us dedicate ourselves to the greatest remembrance of all – that war should be no more. For a future to be possible; May our prayers be heard. Amen. Rev Chris Goacher A Prayer after the London Bombings
Holy Spirit, Allah, God, known by many names and none; At this time we stand in shock at our human capacity to embrace evil. We pray for compassion toward those who grieve, and comfort and healing for those in pain. How can we make sense of this, how can we know the truth. How can we forgive? Humanity twists your inspired words to our own ends, … to justify the unjustifiable. Forgive them for they know not what they do. The words you spoke to Mohamed (Peace be Upon Him) calls for justice and kindness, (Qur'an 16.90) how can they have got it so wrong? How can killing and maiming be seen as justice and kindness? How can they not understand? Forgive them for they know not what they do. We ask why for we do not understand how these things can happen. Open their eyes that they might see the wrong they do. But open too our eyes that we might see. Open our minds that we might understand. Open our hearts that we might forgive. The words of Isaiah extol your call to justice and equity, have we failed to hear? Have we set the seeds that now we reap? Forgive us for we know not what we do. Jesus taught us to pray for forgiveness as we too forgive. Therefore we pray for the ability to forgive those who perpetrate such acts of violence, as we too seek to be forgiven for creating a world out-of-balance; For withholding our capacity to love. Help us to create a new world, a true Kingdom of God, help us to loose the bonds of injustice, … Help us, Christian, Muslim, members of all faiths, of all humanity, to plant the seeds of equity and justice that all may reap the harvest of love and peace, and violence shall be no more. Amen. Rev Chris Goacher 2005 Uniting for Peace www.action-for-un-renewal.org.uk
Fellowship of Reconciliation www.for.org.uk
World Disarmament Campaign www.world-disarm.org.uk
Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament www.cnduk.org Network for Peace www.networkforpeace.org.uk
Network of Christian Peace Organisations http://ncpo.org.uk/ Peace & Reconciliation Group www.peaceprg.co.uk/ Peace Pledge Union www.ppu.org.uk/ Quakers in Britain: Peace & Social Witness www.quaker.org.uk/peace-social-witness Quakers in Britain: Peace Exchange www.peaceexchange.org.uk Quakers in Britain: Peace Links www.quaker.org.uk/peace-links UK Peace Foundation www.peacefoundation.org.uk/ Movement for the Abolition of War http://www.abolishwar.org.uk/ |
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Prayer Request
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Faith in Action - peace fellowship |
