n May 13th, 1990, the Peace Candle was lit for the first time in ICB. It was presented to the congregation by the family of Jack and Rita Dunford, sent from their home church in England.
The tradition of the Peace Candle goes back to 1986 when an American minister visiting a Russian Orthodox Church was given three roubles by a poor peasant woman with a request to buy a candle and light it every Sunday as a symbol of peace.
The American minister took the candle to his home church, which in time sent candles to other churches. The tradition has continued with church members sending candles to congregations where they have relationships.
At ICB we light our peace candle each Sunday for a different country, group of countries or region of the world so that in one year we pray for peace in all countries of the world.
The worship committee arranges opportunities for members to order and send candles to other churches. The candles are dedicated during a worship service. Candleholders in the shape of a lotus flower have been arranged for by Stephen Salmon, Manager of ThaiCraft. They are carved from mango wood by the residents of the McKean Rehabilitation Centre in Chiang Mai.
This is a tradition we can keep alive with our prayers for a peaceful world.
Thanks to the records provided in the
60th Anniversary Book of the International Church
Maureen Paetkau
On May 13th, 1990, the Peace Candle was lit for the first time in ICB. It was presented to the congregation by the family of Jack and Rita Dunford, sent from their home church in England. 