Heart & Mind
Peace Pole Planted and Dedicated
About 40 people from the Bethel community gathered in chilly temperatures on April 27 to dedicate a Peace Pole on Bethel’s St. Paul campus. The pole, located along the walkway between the Community Life Center and the seminary near Lake Valentine, resembles a signpost and states “May Peace Prevail on Earth” in six languages.
An international symbol of peace, the pole dedicates a place and the people residing there to the purposes of peace, justice, and reconciliation in their community. The Peace and Justice Committee of the Bethel Student Association sponsored the peace pole planting. After hearty singing and native African dancing, representatives of many reconciliation groups at Bethel spoke words of heartfelt commitment to the purpose of the peace pole, calling on Jesus, the Prince of Peace, for His blessing and help.
Representatives who spoke and united in prayer around the peace pole were from United Cultures of Bethel, Asian Christian Fellowship, Reconcilers in Action, Bethel’s new Reconciliation Studies program, Urban Homeworks, World Challenge, the Office of the President, and the Office of Diversity and Community. •