Peace Light coming to Hampshire church Dec. 1

The Peace Light from Bethlehem will arrive in Hampshire around 2 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 1.

All churches and individuals are invited to come and take the flame back to their own homes and churches. You must bring your own lantern and a bucket to carry it in. Meet at Zion United Methodist Church, 157 W. Jefferson Ave., Hampshire.

This international project began in 1986 as an ecumenical effort to take the universal message of peace to the world. Each year, a child from Upper Austria fetches the light from the grotto in Bethlehem where Jesus was born. The light is then flown to Austria from where it is distributed at a Service of Dedication to delegations from across Europe who take it back, with a message of peace, to their own countries for use at ecumenical services throughout the Continent. Scouts and community volunteers can then take the light on to houses of worship, hospitals, homeless shelters, care centers, prisons, and places of public, cultural and political importance - to anybody who appreciates the significance of the "gift."

The Peace Light first came to New York City in 2001 by Canadian Scouts who brought it to Ground Zero. Since then, it comes to New York City by Austrian Airlines and is then transported by Scout Leaders who distribute the Peace Light throughout the U.S. Once again, Joe Redding will travel from Minnesota to New York City and then distribute the Peace Light to churches along his way back home.

For information, visit peacelight.org or call the church at (847) 683-2430. Visit www.zionunitedmethodistchurchofhampshire.com.