Reflective Discussions ‘War and Peace: Christian Faith and the Use of Violence’

29 Sep 2022 Lutheran Churches

St Anne’s Lutheran Church in London will be holding a series of reflective discussion sessions on the theme ‘War and Peace: Christian Faith and the Use of Violence’ and would like to warmly invite members of other CLC churches to join for any or all of them. Please find below the invitation: 

Every year, Christians and other communities in the UK mark the end of WWI with a minute of silence on Remembrance Sunday. Mixed emotions and profound questions often accompany this day: Does such remembering glorify or condemn violence? Is it ever legitimate, or even an obligation, that Christians take up arms and fight? How do we reconcile the conflicting views on pacifism and the use of force we encounter in the Bible, different Christian traditions, and our own congregations?

This year, in the light of the Russia’s war against Ukraine, these questions may be more pressing for us than ever. We want to take time to reflect on them, to learn from each other, share and reconsider our views, and listen to what the Spirit has to tell us for our lives and world today.

In a series of three reflective discussion sessions, we will draw on resources and perspectives from the Christian tradition:

  • 23rd October 2022, 12:30-13:30 – Session 1: Voices from Scripture
  • 30th October 2022, 12:30-13:30 – Session 2: Voices from Church History
  • 6th November 2022, 12:30-13:30 – Session 3: Voices from Christian Ethics
  • 13th November 2022, 11:00-12:00 – Remembrance Sunday Service

Each session last about one hour and can be attended individually (but the conversation will continue from session to session, so attending all three is ideal). No preparation is required. The sessions take place at St Mary-at-Hill (Lovat Lane, London EC3R 8EE; nearest tube: Monument), right after the 11am Sunday service of St Anne’s Lutheran Church there, and our shared reflections will conclude in the writing of the prayers of the people for Remembrance Sunday. The conversations will be facilitated by Sebastian Matzner (Lutheran Church in Great Britain ordinand).

All are most welcome to join!