Peace Light .org

The Peace Light is burning in our home after we received it this morning from the Juniata Valley Council, BSA, in Reedsville, Mifflin County, PA.  Our zip code is 17044. The flame will light all of our candles this Christmas season, and will be used to start the fire of our annual ceremony of “Lighting the Yule Log” with family and friends on Saturday, Dec 14.  The party will have special meaning this year because of the source of the flame. It is particularly fitting since a prayer that we use at the “lighting” is

May the fire burn brightly that it may seek out and bring comfort to those in need and may it bring peace on earth. 

Thank you for bringing this wonderful gift to us. Bob & Evie Wilson

I just wanted to update you as to where I distributed the Light so far.  It has been a well welcomed experience.  I am the assistant CubMaster for Pack 149 with St Dennis Church and member of Diocese of Madison Catholic Committee Scouting. It has been given to St Dennis Catholic Church in Madison WI 53714 - it was used for the midnight mass for Christmas. My home at 53716 Other homes in Madison at 53718 Homes in Platteville WI 53818 and Lancaster WI 53813. Rick Ley

I gave the flame to co-workers at Christmas.  One of them lives out in Jordan, MN. 55352. Sally Johnson

The Peace Light made it to Ham Lake Minnesota.  Roger Knuteson is my brother and although I did go to the church to get the light, it didn't make it all the way home and Roger, Casey, Conor and Maggie brought it home to me on Christmas Day.  What a wonderful thing to have on Christmas day along with wonderful family and friends. Kat, Warren, Holly and Carolyn Wesley

My son (Webelos scout, Pack 578) and I brought the peace light to Dowagiac, MI 49047. We plan to take it with us to the U.P. for Christmas. Thank you for allowing us to share in this special project during this holiday season. --Andrea

We drove the peace light from West Lakeland Township, MN to Buffalo, NY.  We left MN Sat. Dec. 20th in between snow storms and made it to Toledo, OH, where we shared the flame with friends there. 
We had good roads the whole way, even though Toledo was in a state of emergency the day before from an ice storm.  Weather reports for the trip along the great lakes to Bflo. looked grim for Sun. too, but we had a little patch of blue sky that seemed to stay with us and the roads were good all the way to the NY State line.  The last 90 min. were blizzard conditions, with many cars off the road, but the light seemed to be a beacon of blessing, and we safely made our destination with that same patch of blue sky peeking through the snow clouds now and then all the way to Buffalo. 
Our children in the back seat said it seemed like when God led the Israelites in the pillar of fire (by night) and cloud (during day) through the desert.
We had family in Cleveland calling to warn us of the weather and roads, but we cruised right through without a problem.   A friend from Boston called to check on us too and he could not believe the roads were as good as they were for us.
Needless to say, the flame is still going in West Seneca(Buffalo), NY! Christ's Love, Roger & Kelley McGowan (Wilma's son & family)

Thank you to everyone who has come and shared the light with their home and their communities.  The stories that have been shared with me regarding where the International Peace Light has been passed on are heart warming and it all started with our new friends Roger Knuteson and Joe Reding from Troop 113 in Bayport, MN who were gracious in making us their first stop.  Thank you, Joe and Roger! Jim Kennedy, Scout Executive, Juniata Valley Council.

Peace Light now also at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in St Paul. Pastor Karsten Nelson

We received the Peace Light at Camp Miakonda, and the light is now being distributed in the church office to members of Olivet Lutheran Church in Sylvania, Ohio 43560 and will be part of our four Christmas Eve services. "Let your light so shine ..."  A Blessed Christmas to All!  -  Keith Hamen

We received the Peace Light at Agape Christian Church in La Porte, Indiana on December 18 and will use it in our Christmas Eve worship service. Thank you. Dr. Rod Nielsen

Peace Light happily received and distributed in Chesterton, IN 46304. Cub Scouts, Pack 998, St Patrick Roman Catholic Church. Jeffrey Herr

I have received the Peace light in Oakland, NJ 07436. I have passed it along to Southbury Ct. 06488, Boston, MA 01770 and Hamilton and Toronto Canada. Today it was distributed in Summit, NJ 07901. On Christmas eve it will be distributed at the Latvian ev. luth. Church of NY in Yonkers, NY 10705 and in Melville, NY 11747 and on Christmas day in East Orange NJ, 07017. Peter Aivars, BSA Troop 748

The peace light was passed to our scouting organizations at the VFW Post #1607 in Southbury, CT 06488 on Wednesday December 17th.

Please pass along thanks to all who participated in the peace light collection and distribution.  I am continually impressed with the leadership and maturity of the Boy Scouts, and hope that our Cub Scouts have the opportunity to learn from their example.

What a wonderful and meaningful message of world wide peace! I am proud to be part of a scouting family. Pastor Karen

On Saturday 6 December 2008 our Cub Scout troop 3362 received the Peace Light and began to spread it within the communities where we live. I have contacted some of my local churches and they are already awaiting my sharing it with them. Regards, Kalvis Cers, Western Springs, IL 60558

Writing to notify you that we have a flame from your peace light at : Mapleton Depot, PA  17052.  This flame originated from the JFK airport in NY and traveled through Pennsylvania to Reedsville, PA then on to Huntingdon, PA  16652 then to Mapleton Depot.  This is a great project, thank you!  Bud & Tracy Barnish

The Peace Light came to Erie Shores Council's Camp Miakonda in Sylvania Ohio (Postal zip code 43560) over the weekend during the Northwest District's Winter Weekend Camporee. Troop 258 received the Peace Light and took it to their Chartering Organization, St. James Lutheran Church in Sylvania during their annual Living Nativity program. Thank you for the opportunity to demonstrate our commitment to promote the cause of Peace throughout the World. Yours in Scouting, Thomas Barnhizer, ASM Troop 258

Thank you for sharing this with us! Bethel Lutheran Church, Northfield, Minnesota 55057

The peace light was distributed to Boy Scout Troop 283 at a meeting held at The Baker Park Reserve Near Wilderness Lodge Maple Plain MN, 55359. (N 45.01735, W 93.62189).  Approximately 30 candles were lit and taken home.  The peace light was the subject of the Scoutmasters minute.Thank you for the experience. Barth Reding Den Leader, 2nd year WEBELOS, Den 2, Pack 538

What it means This flame is a symbol that can have many meanings.  It is what you will make of it.  Here is what I make of it.  Each of these flames is small and spreads a little light and warmth where it is.  You can add more fuel and oxygen and it can turn into a great bonfire.  If it is not tended to it eventually goes out. Consider thousands of these little flames around the world.  Each by it self may not seem like a big deal beyond a couple of people.  If you put them all together it is a rather huge bonfire. This is the peace light. One small spark can spread and may turn into great bonfires or simply warm a small group or an individual.  Spread a little peace where ever you go.  You never know, your little spark may turn into a great bonfire of peace some day.

Just wanted you to know that I have spoken with the ministers of all four of our congregations (2 Lutheran, 1 Catholic and 1 Baptist) and they will all be integrating the peace light in some way w/ Christmas services. We have already shared the light with some elderly shut ins who were quite moved that we brought this to them. Also, the Latvian radio program has mentioned this in short and will do a more extensive story before Christmas. Just wanted to give you a update so that you know the peace is continuing to be spread. Rasma Kraulis

My family just received the Peace Light. We live in Golden Valley, MN area code 55427.  May God bless you and bring you all peace this Christmas. -Ms. Jeide

My name is Stacey Anderson and I live in Sylvania, OH.  I received the Peace light on Friday, December 12th from Camp Miakonda.  I am a leader in Cub Scout Pack 149 and Boy Scout Troop 154 and have three boys between the two.  I think this is a really cool idea.

Peace Light received at Bethlehem Lutheran today and delivered to neighbors and Scout friends in Burnsville, MN  55337. Thanks for doing this. Bob Elliott, Activities Chair, Chief Black Dog District

I am with Troop 885 Boy Scouts. I drove approx. 2 hours to see the light at The Scout shop in Madison Wisconsin. I lit 2 lantern, (1 as a backup), and took the light to Sheboygan Falls, WI 53085.Thank you so much for this gift of peace. Merry Christmas to you.

You created quite a buzz here in Chicago. We were lucky to be able to meet in the Chicago Area Council headquarters where you had a chance to enlighten many. Yesterday the Latvian cub scouts and brownies made little candle holders from soup cans by punching holes in them. Then we placed tea candles in those, and lit them so that each one could take the Peace Light home with them. Guntis un Indra

We received a flame brought from the International Peace Light this Friday at the Morris-1st Source Scout Center.  We invite all Scouters and the entire community to share in this gift by bringing a lamp or candle and accepting the flame to spread to others. Dave Sykes, Assistant Scout Executive, LaSalle Council, Boy Scouts of America

Today we got the light from West Lakeland Township and carried it to Dennison, MN.  Our zip code is 55018.  Thanks for the INCREDIBLE opportunity to carry the light to the Northfield, MN area. The Robert and Stacey Olson Family

I picked up the flame at BSA Camp Miakonda and took it to Clyde Ohio 43410 where it is now on the Alter at St. Paul Lutheran Church. James Shull