Bringing Peace
What does peace mean?
by Hannah Taylor
Suitable for Whole School (Pri)
Aims
To consider the importance of world peace and the symbolism of the dove.
Preparation and materials
- Have available the following YouTube videos and the means to show them during the assembly:
- ‘World peace’, available at: https://youtu.be/R8k8XOczPMU (0.56 minutes long)
- ‘Peace at Last’, available at: https://youtu.be/9U9y35kWBvM (4.13 minutes long)
Note: you may wish to replace the second video by reading Jill Murphy’s book Peace at Last yourself, if you have a copy available. - You will also need an image of a dove. An example is available at: http://tinyurl.com/38tv6f4j
Assembly
- Ask the children, ‘What is peace?’
Listen to a range of responses. - Point out that there are different spellings of the word: peace and piece. We might talk about eating a piece of cake or doing a piece of homework, but today, we’re going to think about the other kind of peace, spelt P E A C E.
- Peace is when there is a lovely calmness; when the people and animals in the world are being kind to themselves and each other; when everyone feels loved and happy, and there’s no fighting. Doesn’t that sound lovely?
Ask the children to raise their hand if they think that they always give their family or teachers lots of peace! - Point out that it is normal for us not always to feel peaceful or bring peace to others. Having so many things to remember can make us less peaceful or able to bring peace. We might feel tired and irritable and have lots of activities that we must complete; we might just have woken up feeling grumpy.
However, there are lots of things that we can do to make peace. - Let’s watch some suggestions from a few children.
Show the YouTube video ‘World peace’ (0.56 minutes long). - Point out that there are many ways in which we can bring peace to ourselves and to others. Ask the children for suggestions.
Listen to a range of responses. - Show the image of a dove.
Explain that the dove is a symbol of peace. Doves are gentle, loving creatures that don’t harm others and look after their young chicks with love and care. - Either read the book Peace at Last by Jill Murphy or show the YouTube video ‘Peace at Last’ (4.13 minutes long).
Time for reflection
Sometimes, we can bring peace in simple ways.
- Asking someone to play when they’re on their own brings peace.
- Helping someone who’s struggling in some way brings peace.
- Even a simple smile can bring peace and brighten up someone’s day.
Encourage the children to pause and reflect on how they might bring peace to someone today.
Prayer
Dear Lord,
Thank you for the people who care for us.
Thank you for those who love us and help us.
Please guide us so that we can return this love
Through being kind and bringing peace to others.
Please help us to bring peace into the lives of others.
Amen.
Song/music
‘Make me a channel of your peace’, available at: https://youtu.be/g8eorCEMIK4 (3.35 minutes long)
‘A wish for peace’, available at: https://youtu.be/Dvzrt4qP-1k (2.23 minutes long)
