Octobor 2, 2011

In 1985 a pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of York PA visited a small town in the Soviet Union called Voronezh. He was approached by an elderly woman who pressed three rubles into his hand and said "Do something for world peace." He recognized her deep desire and the strong devotion in her eyes and voice and determined he would do something special when he returned to the United States.

After much thought he purchased a small votive candle and placed it on the Communion Table and lit it. On hearing his story, his congregation agreed to make it a permanent accessory of the chancel and purchased a supply of votive candles so that they could make this "Peace Candle" available to any visitor to take back to his or her sanctuary.

And so the tradition that was inspired in a small village in what was then the Soviet Union in 1985, has found it's way in 2011 to Pioneer Congregational United Church of Christ in Sacramento by way of North Deering Congregational Church in Portland, Maine. Each of our members should have a candle by now to take with them, when they travel to give away and we will continue to give these Peace Candles to all our visitors.

When we see the glow of our Peace Candle burning on the Communion Table, we offer our prayers for peace. This small, non-threatening symbol of peace helps us to be praying people, and to play our part as peacemakers, as Jesus called us to do.

Today, candles burn in the United States, England, Australia, Canada, Ireland, Kuwait, South Africa and Denmark.