The practice of Passing of the Peace began reappearing in congregations in the 60s and 70s but has its origins in the early Christian Church. In the letters of Paul there are several references to greeting one another with "a holy kiss" (Rom 16:16 ; 1 Cor 16:20 ; 2 Cor 13:12 ; 1 Thess 5:26; 1 Pet 5:14 ). In the worship of the early church this took on a specific function in the liturgy. Usually it occurred after the sermon or just before the distribution of communion. Its function was to visibly demonstrate that all who were present were welcome, one in the faith and that no sin stood in the way of their unity with God in Christ.

Of course, over time the actual kiss of peace has given way to either a handshake or an embrace. The purpose, however, is the same: a visible demonstration that we are members of the one body of Christ. Because we have been reconciled to God through Christ, we therefore are also reconciled with one another.

What it is not is simply a time to say "howdy" to every-one, or to talk about what you'll be doing after church. The purpose of passing the peace is to respond to the Good News of God’s reconciling love by demonstrating that we are members of Christ's body. It can be uncomfortable for some, but it can have some tremendous benefits. Consider this: what if you don't want to share the peace with the person sitting in front of you because you are mad at that person for something they did to you or said about you? The fact that you don't even want to shake hands with that person would suggest that indeed there is a need for reconciliation to take place. The passing of the peace helps us to move in that direction so we might live together as one community in the peace of God.

Tom Hart

In a moment of inspiration Tomas Atencio shared with us his desire to create a "gigantic origami peace crane." When that idea was shared with others, the Holy Spirit spread the enthusiasm and before we knew it a large group was planning to come together to "make it happen."

On October 2, World Communion Sunday, we took up our denomination’s Peace offering. After worship the youth group from Covenant Presbyterian Church in Albuquerque joined the youth from SOTV for lunch and fellowship. They then proceeded out to the parking lot, where a 40’ x 40’ square of butcher block paper had been laid out on tarps. Following instructions, they folded and unfolded until the basic shape began to take form. The group, with much care, lifted the unfinished paper crane and carried it into the gathering space. What a sight that was!

And it reminded us all that peace can be a fragile thing if we are relying on our own strength to accomplish it!

After the work of art was completed, Shelton Caldwell and others erected it, displaying it for all to wonder, "why is there a pterodactyl in the gathering space?"