Pax Christi online Advent Service "poignant and peaceful"

Icon of Mary Who Brings Down Walls on Separation Wall surrounding Bethlehem

The annual Pax Christi Advent Peace Service and Fair went ahead this year online, and with roughly the same number of people who usually attend St Aloysius Church in Euston at this time over more than two decades. So, more than 170 people tuned in, with waving across seven pages of screens showing just how much this regular peace gathering is appreciated. Sharing the sign of peace through sign language - led by the Westminster Deaf Service - was a beautiful moment.

And one advantage of zoom is participation internationally - people from the United States and Uruguay joined in and we saw a video of young people in Afghanistan working for peace. "We dream of nonviolent relationships" they said. Julie McCann from South London led the music, but in parts singer Alison Adam joined in from Cumbria and even liturgist Marty Haugen from the United States, playing the guitar and leading his chant, 'Come to us O Emmanuel'. So much was live that there were a few technical hiccups but they didn't matter. "It was raw but poignant and peaceful" said one participant who normally travels to Euston.

Coming at the end of a year which has seen huge tensions around the Covid pandemic, shocking economic inequality, environmental disasters and oppression in Palestine under the Israeli occupation, this popular service, with its clear focus on the peacemaking and the hopeful message of Advent, felt particularly meaningful. "How important it is to dream together" said a reading from 'Fratelli Tutti'. "Let us forge bonds of unity, common projects and shared dreams" said one of the prayers.

Carol Burns told a story of nonviolence - being part of the 'Women in Black' witness in Central Leeds. The women have received thumbs up from passers-by to the Palestinian flag and poster, 'End the Occupation'. "We have brought the residents of the West Bank into People's minds," she reflected. Fr Joe Ryan from West Green parish in North London read from an adapted Indonesian creed, "I do not believe that war and hunger are inevitable and peace unattainable".

There was a silent reflection based on the Icon of 'Mary Who Brings Down Walls', which is located on the separation wall that surrounds Bethlehem. Then a final prayer from CAFOD: "We are one people, many nations, building hope through steps for peace." The concluding hymn was led by a rousing recording of a Gospel choir singing 'Soon and very soon, we are going to see the king'.

The service was followed by an alternative Christmas market with goods advertised from Pax Christi, the Jesuit Refugee Service, Traidcraft, and embroideries from Hebron plus olive wood goods from Pax Christi partners in Bethlehem. I had a few nervous moments watching a video of cribs, Christmas ornaments and olive wood crosses being made in the Holy Land Arts Museum in Manger Square. Delicate carving saw fingers very close to saws! And such hard work this year has not sustained livelihoods with visitors no longer coming to Bethlehem because of pandemic restrictions.

There was a note in the Chat: 'This year thousands of Palestinian olive trees have been burnt uprooted or cut down. Please help to replace these by sponsoring olive trees through 'Trees for Life': https://zaytoun.org/plant_a_tree.html'. So this initiative and buying Palestinian goods supports the people of the Holy Land and reminds of the difficulties they live with. The tensions were highlighted at the end by Pax Christi England and Wales Chair Ann Farr. She reminded us that the people of Bethlehem are imprisoned behind a wall and we saw the poignant image of 'Merry Christmas World' written in big letters across it.

Messages for people in Palestine can be sent through Pax Christi and donations for the evening will be shared between Pax Christi and the Salesian Sisters' School in the Cremisan Valley, near Bethlehem.

LINKS

Pax Christi website - www.paxchristi.org.uk

Send your message for people in Palestine here: palmessages2020@gmail.com

To buy goods from Bethlehem email: palcovsales@gmail.com