First Community Church (FCC) of Dallas has dedicated a Peace Pole in its new Peace Garden. What appeared to be ordinary for this congregation was hardly that. FCC began conversations about becoming a Just Peace Church a number of years ago. The pastor preached a series of sermons in 2004 in which he challenged the members not to pursue such a designation if it meant only planting a Peace Pole or marking a designation on its letterhead.
From the FCC newsletter...
Five years later after honoring that vision through varied ministry partnerships such as ESL programs, an interfaith environmental advocacy partnership, and anti-war and pro-justice commitments through and with the Dallas Peace Center, the congregation was willing and ready to dedicate this symbol. It reminds us of a work started and our sense of call to work never-ending as seekers of peace and justice for all parts of God’s creation.
We chose the four languages carefully: English, Spanish, Hebrew, and Arabic. These reflect both our commitment to be an inclusive community in an extremely diverse region of the country and our commitment to pray and work for peace in a region long divided by colonialism, religious intolerance and international polarization - the Middle East. FCC children and adults gathered following worship for the dedication and we sang, dug, poured concrete and prayed that peace might begin with each of us.
For more information, contact pastor Ed Middleton at pastor@fccdallas.com.
►To learn more about Peace Poles, visit www.peacepoleproject.org.
►Visit First Community Church on the web at www.fccdallas.com.
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