Rev. Megan Tobola lights a candle for peace during the "Blessed Are the Peacemakers" service. Photo by Sarkis Utas.

In a world tense with mistrust, violence, and conflict among religions, Christians from diverse traditions gathered at Fourth Presbyterian Church in Chicago on Sept. 30 to strengthen relationships across denominational lines and call for peace.

“Sometimes peace requires a transformed heart and facing difficult truths,” said Rev. Terrill Murff, a United Church of Christ clergyperson who preached at the service. “The obstacle to peace is sometimes not the person across from us but our own unwillingness to change.”

“It requires recognizing the image of God in one another.”

Rev. Megan Tobola, pastor of Woodside UMC in Riverside and First UMC in Oak Park and a participant in the service, said, “My hope is that this momentary show of solidarity sparked hope in and for those present. The work of peacemaking is difficult, with daily compounding strains. If we each carry the kin-dom moment we experienced, many traditions coming together worshiping Christ, who is our Peace, as one, that hope goes out into the world to beget more hope. Through this, the work of peacemaking is furthered.”

United Methodist membership in the EMC is important, she said: “For United Methodists, the work of peacemaking is part of our living out social holiness as reflected in our Social Creed and Social Principles. ‘Our Ecumenical Task’ in our Book of Discipline encourages us to work with fellow Christians whenever and however possible.”

Rev. Tobola is an ecumenical, interfaith, and interreligious representative serving the United Methodist Council of Bishops and a Northern Illinois Conference delegate to the recent World Methodist Council.

Rev. Lynn Pries, a retired United Methodist clergyperson and EMC member representative, found the service “quite moving—the lighting of candles, procession of people in various clerical garb representing many traditions, and sharing written prayers.

“Closing with the Taize song ‘Ubi Caritas’ was unifying, something we could all sing together.”

Rev. Jana Blazek, an EMC member representative and director of connectional relationships and partnerships for Presbyterian Church (USA) Presbytery of Chicago, said that strengthening relationships among the churches was one of the most important aspects of the service.

“We are better together. When we learn together, work together, and are in conversation with each other, our reach is greater.”

The churches’ shared pursuit of peace extends beyond the joint worship service.

“It’s a witness to the city,” she said.

“People are dealing with an absence of peace in their homes, lives, and country,” observed the Most Rev. Erik Christensen, the bishop of the Metropolitan Chicago Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. “They feel isolated and disempowered.

“Peace is need in this time of deep political mistrust, outrageous and infuriating violation of women’s bodies on campuses and homes, and violence in Chicago.”

During the service, worshipers shared their own prayers for peace, in homes, the city, and around the world:

• “For racial justice, the end of the love of guns, and for every life to matter.”
• “Peace in Garfield Park and across the world.”
• “For teen justice, the political leaders in Chicago, safety on public transportation, and equitable employment opportunities.”
• “Peace in Ukraine/Russia, Palestine/Israel, Iran/America, and Cuba/America.”
• “May my grandchildren know peace.”

Rev. Lynn Pries, a retired United Methodist clergyperson present at the service, found the service “quite moving—the lighting of candles, procession people in various clerical garb representing many traditions, and sharing written prayers.”

EMC is planning its next ecumenical service for January 2027, which will celebrate Christian unity.

Ecumenism Metro Chicago was formed in December 1999 by the judicatory heads of Christian churches (denominations) in the Chicago area. It seeks to engage all the baptized, their communions, and extended ministries in Chicagoland in living together with prayer, action, and a coordinated voice that respects distinctions among traditions and extends God’s love through Christ and the Holy Spirit, for all the world.