So, what is this Peace Light?
We have to go right back to 1984 and to Austria.
The Austrian Broadcasting Corporation, ORF, launched a campaign called “Light into Darkness” with the aim of raising funds for local children’s charities. The campaign involved a young child travelling to Bethlehem to collect a flame from the Eternal Flame which burns at the birthplace of Christ. The Light was brought back to Austria and for a small donation to the charity, people could take a light from the Flame to burn at home during Christmas. The campaign grew across Austria and they wanted to spread the Light across Europe.
Austrian Scouts and Guides took up the challenge and soon Scouts and Guides from across Europe were all involved. In 1995 the Austrian Scouts challenged the United Kingdom to join the campaign and get the Light to England, and hopefully further. Now, it would have to come over from France by ferry but you cannot just board a ferry carrying a live flame. Special permission has to be obtained with the Captain having the final say. Members of The Deep Sea Scouts living in the Dover area took up the challenge and with their maritime knowledge and co-operation from P & O Ferries and members of the British Rail Scout Fellowship successfully brought the Light across the Channel in time for Christmas. It has been coming to Dover ever since, this year (2015) being a landmark 20th year.
On Sunday 13th December I was privileged to go to France, to Lille Cathedral, as a Deep Sea Scout and ACSL (Baggy) of 14th Broadstairs, accompanied by my Father, John (Rama) GSL 1st Margate and my wife Christine both Deep Sea Scouts and my two daughters Jorge, a Scout, and Victoria, a Cub, on behalf of the UK Co-ordinators to collect the Peace Light for the UK. This was an unforgettable experience, meeting Clergy and the Bishop, and sitting through a 2 hour service all in French and Latin with a congregation of around 2000, many being Scouts and Guides. When we were called forward to light our lamp, Jorge and Victoria accompanied my father the whole length of the Cathedral nave which they said seemed to go on for ever. They climbed the steps towards the High Altar and to where the French Scouts had their lamp which had come in from Vienna. Jorge lit the UK lamp from theirs and turned at the top of the steps to return the length of the nave at which point the enormity of the Cathedral was seen. We returned to Dover safely and handed over the Peace Light ready for the Distribution Service on Monday evening.
For the past two years (2013, 2014) we have held a small service at the War Memorial, Pierremont Park however this year (2015) we decided to try something new.
Akela contacted the Curate at St Peters Church and a meeting was set up. From this an amazing service was held on Thursday 17th December. An original guesstimate of 50 to 60 members attending was quickly passed and we ran out of candles after 250 had been handed out. Members from 14th Broadstairs and 1st Margate as well as our District Commissioner and ADC Cubs attended along with many parents and local parishioners. The Light that had been collected from Lille was brought from Dover by the UK Peace Light Coordinators and following a description of the history and journey of the Light by Rama an Advent candle was lit from it. Cubs and Scouts from both groups took part in Bible and Prayer readings and then lanterns for District, 14th & 1st were lit as were all the individual candles handed out earlier. Towards the end of the service Akela explained the story of the Peace Babies (Jelly Babies) and to the delight of everyone there were plenty available for all on leaving the Church.
By the time that we held our service the Light would have travelled to all corners of England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Southern Ireland. At the same it would have travelled right across Europe, over to America, Canada, Mexico and many more places, Services being held just like ours.
Thanks must be given to Christine, the Curate at St Peters Church, and her team – including the choir – for all the preparation and enthusiasm that made the service possible, and of course to everyone who attended to make it such an enjoyable experience.
Baggy
[widgetkit id=3835]
Leave a Reply