About 180 people of all ages gathered in the atmospherically lit youth church. Based on this year’s campaign motto “Living diversity, shaping the future,” Lutwin Gilla from the German Scout Association St. George (DPSG) emphasized the diversity of the guests: “Everyone sitting here is unique, but despite all differences, we celebrate worship together here because we are united by our desire for peace.” Coexistence can only work because all people are so different and bring their various talents. “Diversity makes us strong,” Gilla said. For him, it is the path to peace. To take this idea with them, all visitors were later given a small kaleidoscope at the exit. Inside it consists of many small stones that only together create a picture.
That the desire for peace is even more urgent this year is reflected in the peace light itself: The light, which was picked up by selected Saarland scouts by train from Vienna over the weekend, could not be lit for the first time this year in the birthplace grotto of Jesus in Bethlehem, as it would have been too dangerous to collect the light there due to the situation in the Middle East. Instead, the light comes from the pilgrimage church Christkindl in Steyr, where Austrian scouts kept it from last year.
„We are all part of God's image,“ said Helmut Willems from the DPSG. The Peace Light, which is shared worldwide, is also a symbol because it depends on each and every individual to create peace.
That many people join in and carry the light further was also the concern of Prime Minister Anke Rehlinger, who took over the patronage for the sending ceremony this year. “Just as light builds a bridge, I would wish that we see what unites us, not what divides us, and understand diversity as an enrichment, so that 2025 will be a more peaceful year than this one,” Rehlinger hoped.
Together with the Prime Minister as well as Saarbrücken's Mayor Uwe Conradt, District Mayor Thomas Emser, and Member of Parliament Dagmar Heib, Saarland politicians promised to commit themselves in this spirit and to pass on the light.
The Peace Light will be distributed until New Year's in church services and devotions, in scout groups and church communities throughout Saarland. Public places where the Peace Light can be picked up individually include, among others, the Ludwig Church in Saarbrücken, the garden of the state parliament, the St. Johann Town Hall, the Protestant community center on Eschberg, the Saar Hospice Academy, as well as the Youth Church eli.ja.
Regional outgoing celebrations in Saarland (by location):
In addition, the Peace Light can be received in many church communities in Saarland during the Christmas Eve services.
Background
The "Peace Light" initiative was launched in 1986 by the Austrian Broadcasting Corporation (ORF). Each year, the Peace Light is lit by a child in the birthplace of Jesus in Bethlehem and then brought to Austria, where it is received by delegations of scouts from many European countries and subsequently distributed further in their home countries. In Germany, the light is passed on as a joint action by the Ring of German Scout Associations (Federation of Girl and Boy Scouts (BdP), Federation of Muslim Girl and Boy Scouts of Germany (BMPPD), German Scout Association Saint George (DPSG), Girl Scout Association St. George (PSG), Association of Christian Girl and Boy Scouts (VCP)) and the Association of German Former Scout Guilds (VDAPG). They are organized in Saarland within the Ring of Saarland Girl and Boy Scouts. This group has been planning the annual sending ceremony for years. Everyone is invited to take the light with a brought candle to their home, apartment, office, or another place of significance.
Further information is available at www.friedenslicht.de, on Facebook: www.facebook.com/friedenslicht.aus.betlehem, on Instagram: www.instagram.com/friedenslicht.
