Methodist Church Brings Message of Peace this Christmas

As the shops reach full capacity in the final dash for presents before Christmas, the Methodist Church is hoping that people will also spare a little time to reflect on something deeper this festive season as it launches a thought-provoking booklet on issues of peace.

The Methodist Church has distributed 75,000 copies of Peace in Your Pocket to hundreds of venues up and down the country, including health clubs, play centres and bars.

The booklet contains poems, pictures and thought-provoking points as it explores the issue of peace, and what it means today. Readers can enjoy brief meditations for busy people, as well as pointers for those who wish to look further into the topic.

"At Christmas we speak of 'goodwill and peace to all' but what does peace really mean today?" asks Anthea Cox of the Methodist Church.

"It used to be that peace was an absence of war, but today terrorism makes it hard for us to feel at peace. And worldwide millions of people are suffering and dying from the effects of war, even when their countries are not at war. So what does peace mean in our lives, our homes, our neighbourhoods and in the world?

"This booklet is for anyone who is asking these questions, particularly people who would not normally go to church but who feel the need to think reflectively about peace."

Readers can ponder on thoughtful quotations from Desmond Tutu, Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Satish Kumar, among others. The booklet aims to provide readers with a few moments of calm, as well as challenge them to take further action to promote peace.

John Cooper, former president of the Methodist Youth Executive, said "Pub chat often ends up on issues of the day, many of which concern violence and warfare. I'd love this book to help stimulate talk on the solutions rather than just dwelling on the problems."

The booklet has an accompanying website, www.peaceinyourpocket.org.uk. There is also a text messaging service, whereby anyone can sign up to receive free occasional peaceful thoughts on their mobile phone. Users can also post messages that appear on the website as peace flags.