Peace and Reconciliation
This take-home resource was written for us by Sarah Agnew, Children and Families Ministry Advisor for the Diocese of London. She also volunteers at the Imperial War Museum as an eyewitness talking about war and conflict with children and young people on gallery. It was written to commemorate the 80th anniversary of both VE and VJ Day in 2025 but applies to situations across the world today. It can be used by Messy Church teams or shared with parents to use when having conversations about war and conflict with children.
Sarah says, ‘The important thing is to create a safe and open space for people to think, reflect, and process their feelings and thoughts.’
Messy Peace
This ‘At Home’ resource was written by Lucy Moore to mark VE Day in lockdown in 2020 and was adapted from Martyn Payne’s Messy Remembrance session in 2018.
These sessions include a number of prayer activities that you could incorporate into your Messy Church session, as well as the international prayer for peace with actions you could use as part of your celebration.
World Day of Prayer
And if you simply want to offer some rest for those who are weary and carrying heavy burdens, do check out our session to celebrate World Day of Prayer, but that can be used at any time.
Get Messy!
If you have a stash of back copies of Get Messy!, the following sessions, although written for Remembrance, include activities to help people pray for peace and process the news agenda.
- Get Messy! Vol. 3: Peace: how can I be a peacemaker? (1 Samuel 25:4-34 and Matthew 5:9) and the accompanying session on Peace from Growing Christian Values here.
- Get Messy! Vol. 1: Fabulous new city for everyone (November)
- Get Messy! September – December 2015: Remembering
- Get Messy! September – December 2017: Peace and comfort (the Holy Spirit as comforter, John 14:15-27)
- Get Messy! September – December 2020: Shine like a star (Matthew 5:14-16)
