Echoes of Compassion: A New Year's Eve Service for Peace at Ullet Road Church

26 Jan 2024

On New Year’s Eve, the setting was Ullet Road Church. It was Sunday, December 31, 2023, 11 am, a time teetering on the brink of a new year. My story begins in mid-November on a very late evening. Our little boy was fast asleep, in the comfort of his bed. My wife asleep also. Settling down with my very late dinner, I switched on the television and started flipping through channels. Suddenly, I was confronted with a heart-wrenching scene: two young boys in war-torn Gaza, siblings, grieving over their deceased younger brother. This profound sorrow, transmitted directly into my living room, evoked a deep sense of tragic helplessness and heartache within me. I put aside my meal, overcome with tears at the horror unfolding in that part of the world.

Motivated by this powerful moment, the next day found me busy on the phone, organizing a peace/fundraising service. The service was envisioned as a sanctuary of Songs of Peace, Compassion, and Liberty, with Prayers of Hope. It was to feature Poetic Voices from those living amidst the chaos in Gaza. My intention was to fill the church, creating a space that not only reached out in support but also raised a voice against such horrors, demonstrating that there are people in the world vehemently condemning these actions.

After numerous phone calls and a flurry of emails, the peace service finally came to fruition. And it was something to remember… Below are the highlights of the service:

The service commenced with heartfelt Welcome Words, setting a tone of solemnity and reflection. This was followed by the symbolic Lighting of the Chalice, a gesture embodying hope and unity amidst the darkness of the world's conflicts:

"Good morning, and a warm welcome to everyone gathered here at Ullet Road Church for this very special service. As we stand at the cusp of a new year, we reflect on a year that has been marked by profound heartache and loss, particularly in regions like Israel, the West Bank, Lebanon and especially Gaza. I remember watching the grief of a young boy mourning his brother, a moment that shattered my heart and brought tears of sorrow and feelings of helplessness against the vast, complex political landscape of the Middle East, a landscape that is often beyond our full understanding.

In a world where stories shape our perspectives, we must ask ourselves: What if these narratives are incomplete, biased, or misleading? It's time to listen to different voices – voices of compassion, kindness, and forgiveness. Voices that challenge what we are routinely fed and guide us towards empathy and understanding.

Today, our service is dedicated to these alternative narratives. We will hear stories that inspire, that speak of kindness, and that remind us of our capacity for forgiveness and charity. In the spirit of action and solidarity, we are committing to a cause that transcends boundaries – all donations today will be generously contributed to Al-Awda Hospital in Northern Gaza.

Let us come together in this space, not just as witnesses to the pain of the world, but as active participants in the healing process. Today, let's embrace the power of compassion and charity to make a tangible difference in the lives of those who need it most. Welcome to a service of reflection, hope, and action."

May the light we now kindle be more than a mere flame; let it be a symbol of our collective aspiration and our shared journey towards healing, understanding, and peace. As this light brightens our space, may it also illuminate our minds and hearts, inspiring us to use our powers, talents, and energies for the greater good.

Let this light guide us to heal and not to harm, reminding us of the delicate balance of life and the impact of our actions on others. May it lead us to offer help where there is need, to extend our hands and hearts in support and not to obstruct the path to progress or understanding.

May this flame encourage us to bless and not to curse, to see the potential for good in challenging situations, and to speak words of hope and encouragement rather than those of despair and division. In its warmth, let us find the strength to serve the Spirit of freedom – a spirit that cherishes the dignity and worth of every being, that celebrates diversity, and that seeks justice and equity for all.

And as we kindle this light, let it remind us of our interconnectedness with each other and with the world around us. May it kindle within us a renewed commitment to live out these values, not just in words, but in our everyday actions and interactions. In the spirit of this flame, let us strive to create a community and a world where freedom, peace, and love are not just ideals, but realities we work towards each day.

Following the opening, we collectively sang the classic hymn "Song of Peace," set to the tune of Finlandia. This hymn, aspiring for peace across all nations and not just our own, resonated deeply with the congregation. This was succeeded by an opening prayer, which then seamlessly transitioned into the Lord's Prayer, uniquely presented in its translated form from Aramaic.

O Birther! Father-Mother of the Cosmos, you create all that moves in light.

Focus your light within us — make it useful: as the rays of a beacon show the way.

Unite our “I can” to yours, so that we walk as kings and queens with every creature.

Create in me a divine cooperation — from many selves, one voice, one action.

Grant what we need each day in bread and insight. Forgive our hidden past, the secret shames, as we consistently forgive what others hide.

Deceived neither by the outer nor the inner — free us to walk your path with joy.

From you is born all ruling will, the power and life to do, the song that beautifies all from age to age it renews.

Amen.

Next, Tayo delivered a beautiful rendition of "Deep River," a song that poignantly expresses the enduring pursuit of freedom and peace.

This was followed by Jane, who, previously unaware of Emily Dickinson's Unitarian background, read one of Dickinson's poems with profound depth. The poem beautifully encapsulated themes of resilience and optimism, echoing the core sentiments of the service.

For me, the centre-piece of the service came next: poetry readings from individuals in Gaza, truly capturing the heart of our gathering.

I reflect upon the heart-wrenching poetry read by John and Alison during our New Year's Eve service for Palestine, particularly moved by the poem "4 O'Clock". This piece, a poignant testament to the tragic realities faced by the innocent people of Gaza, resonates deeply with the values of peace and justice that we hold dear in our Unitarian community.

"4 O'Clock" is a vivid and harrowing narrative, illustrating the indiscriminate destruction in Gaza. The poem begins with a chilling account of an Israeli air strike on Jabalia Camp, a densely populated area. This merciless act resulted in the death and injury of four hundred people, including children, teenagers, men, women, the elderly, and those with disabilities. It's a stark portrayal of how life and community can vanish in an instant, leaving behind nothing but grief and devastation​​.

The poem then shifts to a personal reflection, taking us through the streets of the camp just before the strike. It paints a picture of everyday life amidst the looming threat of violence: children playing, people going about their day, and families preparing meals. The mundane moments of life – a woman cooking, a man fetching medicine, children at play – become poignant symbols of the normalcy and humanity that exist even in the shadow of conflict. The poem's heart lies in these details, in the quiet, unremarkable acts that define our shared human experience.

As the clock ticks towards 4 pm, the moment of the strike, there's a sense of foreboding. The poem's narrator, moving invisibly through the camp, witnesses the final moments of peace before chaos erupts. This contrast between the tranquility of daily life and the sudden, brutal disruption of violence is a powerful reminder of the fragility of life in conflict zones. The strike's aftermath, with its deafening silence and unspoken grief, is a poignant commentary on the cost of war and the price paid by innocent lives.

In our Unitarian Peace Service, we stand in solidarity with the people of Gaza, their suffering, and their resilience. "4 O'Clock" serves as a reminder of our commitment to advocate for peace, justice, and the dignity of all people. It calls us to bear witness to the tragedy and heartache experienced by those in conflict zones and to raise our voices against injustice and violence. As Unitarians, we are moved by the poem's stark portrayal of the human cost of conflict and are inspired to continue our work for peace and understanding in a world that so desperately needs it.

Between the poignant stories and poetry, Caroline graced us with a stunning rendition of Franz Schubert's "Du bist die Ruh," with lyrics by Friedrich Rückert and accompanied on piano by Brigitta Brown. Caroline's performance transported the congregation into a state of bliss, perfectly capturing the essence of discovering peace and solace through love.

In the midst of Helen Marks' speech, she expressed gratitude towards me for orchestrating the service. However, it was her powerful message that truly resonated with the over 130 attendees. To paraphrase her words, Helen emphasized a critical point, echoing a sentiment often articulated in Unitarian thought: "It is not anti-Semitic to criticize Israel." She boldly questioned the state of global discourse, asking if fear has silenced voices against a nation whose people endured immense horrors in World War II. In a thought-provoking turn, she dared to ask a challenging question, reminiscent of a Unitarian principle of introspection and moral courage: Has the victim of persecution and bullying transformed into the very monster it once stood against?

Solutions for Palestinians by Haneen Awwad

Next, Haneen Awwad took the stage to speak eloquently about the inherent beauty and peaceful essence of her faith, Islam.

This was then succeeded by a brief moment of reflection shared by myself:

On Christmas Day, as my car broke down on the M6 and the clutch gave way, I found myself in an unexpected moment of pause. There, on the hard shoulder with the hazard lights blinking, a blanket on the damp embankment became our temporary refuge. My five-year-old son, Emerson, My wife Donna and our little dog, Bella and I waited, nestled together for warmth and comfort, as the world rushed by. Those 90 minutes of waiting, of being vulnerable yet ultimately rescued, led me to a deeper reflection. The joy of reaching our destination and the taste of Christmas dinner were heightened by the journey's unforeseen trials.

But as we sat in that brief island of stillness, my thoughts wandered far beyond our immediate circumstance. Who will rescue the little ones in Gaza, I wondered. The plight of those children, caught in a web of conflict they neither created nor understand, weighs heavily on my heart. In pondering the crisis, I'm drawn to question the roots of such turmoil. Could it be that a blend of greed and blind ideology fuels the madness that engulfs our world?

Religious texts, those ancient manuscripts, are not legal mandates but attempts to guide us towards a moral, ethical, and enlightened existence amidst a once savage world. Gandhi, a profound voice of wisdom, once said, 'An eye for an eye will make the whole world blind.' This, I believe, is a poignant reflection on the dangers of dogmatism and fundamentalism. Such rigid adherence to ideology blinds us, erects boundaries, and fosters a destructive patriotism, all of which stand in the way of peace.

As a Unitarian, I'm reminded of the words of William Ellery Channing, a guiding light in our faith, who said, 'May your life preach more loudly than your lips.' This echoes in my heart as I think of those in Gaza and everywhere else where peace remains elusive. It calls us not only to speak of peace and justice but to live it, to embody it in our daily actions and choices. Just as we were rescued on that Christmas Day, may we extend our hands and hearts to rescue and support those in need, transcending borders and ideologies in the spirit of true compassion and universal love. Amen…

The service culminated with the congregation joining in song, lifting their voices to the beautiful hymn "Spirit of Life." This was followed by a Benediction. Then, in a touching moment, the children from the Sunday School emerged, singing "Go, Now in Peace" with heartfelt beauty. As I looked around the nave of the church, I saw faces filled with compassion, tears, and embraces were shared openly among the attendees. The church successfully raised approximately £1500, a testament to the generosity and spirit of those present. We express our deepest gratitude to everyone who attended and to those who participated in the service. Your presence and contributions were invaluable, and we thank you sincerely!

The church successfully raised approximately £1500, a testament to the generosity and spirit of those present. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who attended. For those who wish to contribute further to this cause, a link is provided below for additional donations.

Also a video filmed and edited by Tayo Aluko. Ullet Rd Service 4 Peace, Exerpts (youtube.com)

Donate | Ullet Road (ulletroadchurch.uk)

In a world perpetually caught in the tumult of chaos, with the media's constant drumbeat of war, heartache, and tragedy, one can't help but wonder: where are the voices of compassion? Amidst the cacophony of political rhetoric, we're often led to mistake self-serving narratives for genuine empathy. The unpalatable truth is that much of what we hear is driven not by love, but by economics, greed, and the pursuit of power. These are the insidious forces shaping our world, luring us into their deceptive web. Yet, in this scenario, every act of compassion, charity, and kindness becomes a potent form of resistance—a beacon of hope challenging the rampant darkness. It is a vital reminder that, despite the overwhelming presence of this malevolent force, the power of human empathy and goodness can still prevail. Thank You. Rev. Phil

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