Reconciliation and Peace

Last summer holidays on the Facing History seminar, I met lots of really interesting and philosophical people, including Candia, who works for St Ethelburga's, a centre for Reconciliation and Peace  in the City. St Ethelburga's is in Bishopsgate, and was bombed by the IRA in 1993, ironically just after the insurance wasn't renewed by the CofE as the church had survived for six hundred years, including the Great Fire and the Blitz. It's been rebuilt as its new incarnation to remember its past and to work with groups of people from all different faiths and cultures for unity and peace, and to build relationships across divisions. I had a meeting there this morning before school with Candia. She has been approached by a group of Cuban musicians, and we hope to organise some workshops at Notre Dame in the autumn, and they will perform at the church as well, as it has a varied programme of world music throughout the year.

The whole place has a wonderful calm atmosphere, even with the really noisy excavation and building work next door, and they have a beautiful garden for contemplation. Have a look: http://www.stethelburgas.org/