Authored by Naomi Enns

When the world around seems dark, a little light goes a long way. On Wednesday,  December 11th, 2024 LCC International University’s peace Center for Dialogue and Conflict Transformation hosted a unique event, “Peace Lights”, an evening dedicated to creating space for meaningful human encounters. In a world that often feels dark, overwhelmed by violence and chaos, this gathering offered  students and staff the opportunity to reflect, share stories, and connect in ways that foster resilience. Through roundtable discussions, food, and storytelling, participants explored the theme of guiding lights - sources of strength and hope that lessen anxieties and support transformation. The event encouraged individuals to reflect on their personal “guiding light” and how it can empower them to create connections, heal wounds and promote peace.

Designed to nurture inner  resilience and empower community connections, The event highlighted the importance of tending to our hearts and souls as peacemakers before engaging  in broader change. As Naomi Enns, director of the Center, shared, the evening was a powerful display of heads, hands and hearts coming together, fostering a sense of hope, courage, compassion and resilience.  By making space for inspiring stories, we are reminded of our shared responsibility to live generously, seek justice, and create communities where all can flourish. “Peace lights illuminated the path toward a more peaceful world, one guided by the light of hope, inner spirituality, connection through relationship, and compassion.

This event was a reminder ,  that we are called to light candles as an act of defiance, a prayer for courage, a step toward God.  As participants placed their own candles into a collective group, we were reminded together of Howard Thurman’s wisdom:  that we “ light candles this season- candles of joy despite all the sadness, candles of hope where despair keeps watch, candles of peace for tempest-tossed days, candles of grace to ease heavy burdens, candles of love to inspire all of our living- candles that will burn all year long”

This event reminded us  that where light shines the darkness cannot overcome.