Peace Pole Puts Down New Roots

bristol | peace | event notice Monday September 17, 2012 18:29 by Rushlight nick at rushlight dot plus dot com

A 16-foot Peace Pole that has delighted passers-by for 6 years in St Pauls is moving to a new location at the church of St Nicholas of Tolentino.

UN World Peace Day is celebrated every 21st September – and this year it’s being marked in Bristol by the relocation of a specially carved Peace Pole from the Pierian Centre in St Pauls to St Nicholas of Tolentino in Easton.  The Pole will be installed and dedicated in a multi-faith ceremony at 12 noon on Friday 21st September.

World Peace Day is a chance for people everywhere to remind themselves that Peace is a choice.  Conflict is not inevitable; it is a choice that human beings make – and by the same token Peace is an option we can choose.  It is a realistic possibility, within the grasp of each of us.  The focus of World Peace Day this year is a Global Truce Campaign.

The ceremony at St Nicholas of Tolentino will involve Peace prayers from different world faith traditions, gongs and singing bowls, the lighting of peace candles, and the singing of the World Peace Song by pupils from St Nicholas of Tolentino primary school.  The Rev Richard McKay will welcome everyone – and we will also hear from June Burrough, Founder Director of the Pierian Centre, about the story of the Peace programme and the Peace
Meditation Group at the Centre, and from Joe Cooper of Touch Wood Enterprises about the carving of the Peace Pole and the symbols used.

Everyone is welcome at Friday’s ceremony – but if you wish to attend, please RSVP to Father Richard on  stnicks.bristol@blueyonder.co.uk.  The ceremony starts at 12 noon on Friday 21st September, and finishes with light refreshments served at 12.45pm.  It takes place at St Nicholas of Tolentino Church, Lawford’s Gate, Bristol BS5 0RE.  Full details of World Peace Day can be found at www.peaceoneday.org.