As the seasons change, Iona Community Members and Associate Members keep standing in solidarity for justice and peace.
Anti-poverty march
In October, Iona Community staff joined Scottish Churches at a march calling for a better Scotland. It was a good-natured, hopeful demonstration with people of faith well-represented. Scotland Demands Better was an opportunity to demand that politicians make the changes we need for a society where every household can thrive and prosper.
Words of peace
In July this year, fifteen years on from the signing of the “Lancaster House Treaties”, Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron reaffirmed their commitment to the joint development of the two countries’ nuclear arsenals and a vision of security based on the illusion of nuclear deterrence. In response, Pax Christi International will host a conference in London on 1 November, offering An Alternative Vision of Security for France and the UK’ This will be attended by a range of peace organisations.
Duncan McIntyre, moderator of the Peace Common Concern Network, represented the Iona Community in a pre-conference meeting in Edinburgh. Duncan was involved in writing a letter reflecting the discussion at these meetings which was then delivered to 10 Downing Street and the French Embassy on behalf of all the involved peace groups.
Remembrance events
The annual UK Remembrance Sunday will happen on 9th November, two days before Armistice Day. Over 100 years since it was first introduced it perhaps becomes increasingly difficult to make it relevant to current times. There seems to have been an explosion in use of the red poppy as a gesture. Perhaps for many of us wearing both red and white poppies or just a white poppy reflects what we feel.
Traditional short remembrance events will take place around the country – often preceding Sunday worship. Some alternative remembrance events are listed on Peace Pledge Union website. These include:
- London. National Alternative Remembrance Ceremony Nov 9th, 12 – 1pm. Tavistock Square
- Edinburgh. Nov 9th 1.30pm at Quaker meeting house. Reflections, poetry, songs
- Glasgow. Nov 8th 1pm. Buchanan St – Concert Hall. Scottish Peace Network Remembrance vigil followed by laying of wreath in George Square
- Online. The Anglican Pacifist Fellowship will hold an online ‘Armistice Remembrance’ at 8pm on Nov 9th. You can register in advance here.
Photo: Representatives from Churches in Scotland at the Scotland Demands Better event.
Credit: C Martin
USA North East