Peace Café commemorates WWI centenary

As part of the local commemorations of the centenary of the Armistice of the First World War, Macclesfield & Bollington United Reformed Church hosted an Interfaith Peace Cafe, remembering the cost of war, as well as what more can be done to build a peaceful future for all.

MP for Macclesfield, David Rutley, visited the drop-in Cafe on Saturday evening, and joined local faith leaders to view the artwork and displays that were specially-produced for the event, on the theme of Peace and Peacemakers. As well as this, the Cafe hosted discussions and activities throughout the Remembrance Sunday weekend, providing the opportunity for group or personal reflection.

The Cafe was just one part of a full programme of events and activities taking place in churches across the Macclesfield area, including concerts, talks and poetry and textile displays. A highlight of the weekend was the art display, ‘Ours for the Making’, at St Peter’s Church, exploring the themes of commemoration and restoration. The exhibition featured mixed media installations, as well as 100 ‘peace kites’, each imprinted with a personalised message of hope, produced in collaboration with local schools and community groups.

The full weekend of events was organised as part of the Macclesfield Team Ministry’s ‘Building the Peace’ initiative, inspired by the late Rev David Wightman, who sadly passed away at the start of this year, but who did so much to bring the local community in Macclesfield together in pursuit of a better future for all.

Speaking after his visit, David said, “As our community remembers the sacrifices made by those who fought in the First World War, and subsequent conflicts, so that we may have the freedoms that we enjoy today, it is right to reflect on the steps we can take to build a more peaceful future. I am very grateful to the Macclesfield Ministry Team for their hard work in organising this moving and inspiring programme of events.”