ALL SAINTS LUTON CHURCH WELCOMES BETHLEHEM PEACE LIGHT

All Saints Luton church has played host to the Bethlehem Peace Light on its annual pilgrimage.

was commemorated at a special service before a congregation from parishes around the town and the surrounding area including over 120 Scouting Members from Falkes and Icknield Scout Districts of Luton, including Scouts from Leagrave attended.over 120 Scouts and supporters.

Rvd David Kesterton organised the service led by the Bishop of St Albans along with Luton Deputy Mayor Cllr David Agbley and Secretary of the UKIM Madinah Mosque Mr Maqsood Anwaar.

Cllr Agbley said, “On behalf of the town and all those who live here, I am delighted to welcome the Peace Light to Luton and to see it begin its journey amongst the young people of our community. May this light be a sign of the peace and understanding we all long for in our town and beyond.” Madinah Mosque Secretary Anwaar added, “I am so pleased to be part of this international peace effort and to show how it is something that is shared by all faiths.”

Bishop of St Albans the Right Revd Alan Smith said, “This annual event is an important symbol for world peace. The light from Bethlehem travels to very many countries and is given a place of honour at Ground Zero in central New York. In the UK it is taken by Scout volunteers to all parts of our island nation to bring a sign of hope and joy to people everywhere. You can’t get a more touching gesture than that.”

Collected at Dover by Deep Sea Scout Mike Jarman, the Bethlehem Peace Light , which was lit by 12-year old Tobias Flachner (a trainee firefighter and lives in Hochburg-Ach, Upper Austria, where the composer of the carol ‘Silent Night’ Fritz Gruber was born)

This started its journey from the Christ’s Grotto in Bethlehem on the 24th November
Mike said “The Austrian Broadcasting Service ORF began this huge charitable event in 1986 to help orphans and homeless children in their country. Within a short time the idea was taken up by Scouts across Europe, the Middle and Far East and the UK before being accepted as an important Christmas symbol by Scouts in the USA and Canada. The light now reaches millions of people in over 100 countries.”

Peter Sutherst / Gerald Law Luton Scouts Media Contact