Christian Peacemakers
Sean Fletcher meets a Christian mother from London who runs a boxing club in memory of her murdered son, and a 7/7 survivor talks about forgiveness.
Sean Fletcher reflects on peace and forgiveness by meeting a Christian mother whose son was murdered in a knife attack and who now runs a boxing club to encourage reconciliation between rival gangs. Pam Rhodes talks to the Reverend Nigel Bennett, who survived the 7/7 attack and maintains forgiveness has been essential to his recovery. At Lambeth Palace Sean joins Christians and Muslims learning to gain deeper mutual understanding at a young peacemakers forum. And Canon Andrew White, the vicar of Baghdad, reflects on the results of his pioneering peacemaking work in the Middle East, which he undertook despite the risks to his own life and having MS. With hymns on the theme of peace from around the UK, including Make Me a Channel of Your Peace, Blessed Assurance and There's a Wideness in God's Mercy.
Music:
Blessed Assurance, LSO St Luke's, London
Now to Jesus, St Thomas the Martyr Newcastle with Philippa Hanna and Abby Eaton
There's a Wideness in God's Mercy, St Elisabeth's Reddish
When I Survey the Wondrous Cross, St Patrick's Dungannon
The Peace, St Catherine's Pontypridd with Graham Kendrick and Sound of Wales
Make Me a Channel of Your Peace, Pershore Abbey
Thy Hand O God Has Guided, Christ Church Port Sunlight.
Last on
Clips
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The boxing mum making peace
Duration: 03:37
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Hymn: The Peace
Duration: 01:40
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The Vicar of Baghdad
Duration: 03:21
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Trailer: Christian Peacemakers
Duration: 00:58
Stories
Sean meets Lorraine Jones whose son Dwayne Simpson was killed in a knife attack whilst attempting to bring peace between rival gangs in 2014. He had set up his gym Dwaynamics as a place of reconciliation and for young people to learn about leaving behind knife crime. Lorraine shares her deep Christian convictions and describes how, in Dwayneβs memory, she is seeing young people caught up in so-called Postcode Wars come together at the Boxing Club. The club has since won awards and commendations at the highest level.
Forgiveness after 7/7
Rev. Nigel Bennett was a survivor of the 7/7 London attacks in July 2005. He describes to Pam Rhodes how holding onto unforgiveness βcan leave us in a worse prisonβ than taking the step to forgive the perpetrators. At the memorial to the bus explosion in Tavistock Square he explains how Godβs mercy towards him inspires him to show mercy to others, even those who do us wrong.
The Vicar of Baghdad
The Vicar of Baghdad Andrew White describes how he put himself in regular danger in order to attempt to bring peace between faith leaders in Iraq, Israel and Palestine. He explains how the cross of Christ is central to his work, and how, without it, there would be no healing and forgiveness.
Emerging Peacemakers Forum
At an event inspired by the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Sean meets young Christians and Muslims sharing experiences and gaining a deeper understanding of each otherβs faith. The organiser, Georgia May, explains how the forum doesnβt require those of either faith to compromise their beliefs, but to lay the peace-filled groundwork for future generations.
Credits
| Role | Contributor |
|---|---|
| Presenter | Sean Fletcher |
| Presenter | Pam Rhodes |
| Executive Producer | Emyr Afan |
| Executive Producer | Cat Lewis |
| Producer | Mark Warburton |
| Series Producer | Matthew Napier |
| Production Company | Avanti Media |
Broadcast
- Sun 30 Sep 2018 14:30