First Church Peace Pole Offers Optimism for Future
PITTSFIELD, Mass.
Earlier this week, I was delighted to learn of the purchase and planned installation and dedication of a peace pole by First Church of Christ in Pittsfield, Congregational. This is indeed exciting news and a very special and meaningful gift that First Church has chosen to share with a city whose residents over generations have witnessed it earn a status as a prominent and active pillar of the community and an historic place.The peace pole about to be erected by First Church represents a physical and public symbol of the church's mission to continue educating the community on the positive value and implications of engaging the world with nonviolent thought and action, toward a sustainable peace and greater social justice. Beginning this Sunday, First Church's members along with other residents and visitors of Pittsfield will come together to celebrate the joyous occasion of affirming the church's long-standing and future commitment to peace.
First Church's peace pole will stand across from a setting that we have come to know and appreciate as the Park Square, a place both apart from and at the center of the hustle and bustle of Pittsfied's traffic and commerce. Park Square is a rare place in a concrete jungle where one can pause, reflect and re-energize among nature. A local group of which I am a part, Berkshire Citizens for Peace and Justice, along with its community of friends, vigil for peace there every Thursday evening. This monument will join BCP&J at the heart of the city as another important voice for peace and justice.
On First Church's Web site, the pastor of the church, the Rev. Dr. James Lumsden, offers these declarative statements, "We are on a real journey at First Church — seeking to reinvent ourselves as a 21st century church of Christian compassion, justice, prayer and intellects ... I know that we need one another for comfort and companionship along the journey as well as encouragement and caring accountability."
A peace pole echoes Rev. Lumsden's words and will serve as an affirmation of this vision.
My hope is that those who attend First Church's peace pole dedication this Sunday morning and all those who look upon the monument every day thereafter will come away inspired to cultivate and actively live according to a nonviolent ethic, which includes active consciousness-raising, decision-making, and relationship building based on love, compassion, empathy, forgiveness, care, and kindness — during times of harmony and conflict.
The decision of First Church to install a peace pole gives me added optimism about our future. Such a monument to peace in the city of Pittsfield, especially when the city, the state, and the nation collectively have built countless monuments to commemorate war, sends a message of hope for change and a better future.
The dedication ceremony will take place on Sunday, Nov. 1, at or about 11:30 a.m., following the church service. According to a statement received from First Church, the entire peace community is invited to stand with church members for the ceremony. All are invited to share in the church's regular 10:30 service as well. However, this is not a requirement to attend and participate in the peace pole dedication ceremony to follow.
Brian J. Trautman is adjunct faculty for Peace and World Order Studies at Berkshire Community College and a member ofBerkshire Citizens for Peace and Justice in Pittsfield.
