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  • The Silent Minute of Peace at 9pm with the Glastonbury Unity Candle

The Glastonbury Unity Candle and the Silent Minute for Peace

8/19/2020

13 Comments

 
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Photo: Irena Zvonar/Ina Moment
The Glastonbury Unity Candle and the Silent Minute for Peace, every evening at 9pm GMT
There is no power on earth that can withstand the united cooperation on spiritual levels
​ of men & women of goodwill everywhere.

Wellesley Tudor-Pole 
OBE (23 April 1884 – 13 September 1968) 
Join our Unity Candle Ambassadors live, streaming 20.55 - 21.10 GMT on The Glastonbury Unity Candle Facebook page. If you 'like' the page, you will a notification when we go live.  

On the 23rd of March 2020, a stay-at-home order was issued to the UK, and all social contact was to cease. On that evening, the Glastonbury Unity Candle was lit in a livestream to hold the Silent Minute of Peace at 9pm. Its purpose was to offer companionship, healing, and connection at a time when it was felt it might be needed. To this day, volunteers continue to hold this space for people to join and hold peace in their hearts. In these dark and difficult times, people gather from all around the world and share their own peaceful messages of support. 
Our volunteer Unity Candle ambassadors are not only in Glastonbury and surrounding villages The live-stream also comes from Greenbelt, Maryland, Falls City, Oregon, the south-east of England, the Midlands, and Wales. None of us are 'professionals', each presents with a very different style, we are there simply to offer companionship and comfort, in a space where we can feel united, no matter our differences or where in the world we are. 

The Silent Minute 

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​The original Big Ben Silent Minute was a peace prayer initiated by Wellesley Tudor Pole, a major in the British Army and the founder of the Chalice Well Trust, right here in Glastonbury. Every day at noon, a bell is chimed in Chalice Well Gardens to remind us of the Silent Minute and the peace that can be drawn from it.  Tudor Pole’s vision was for people to unite in meditation, prayer, or focus (each according to their own belief) and consciously will for “peace to prevail”.

During World War II, all over Britain and the Commonwealth, millions of people joined together every evening at 9.00pm just before the news, to the chimes of Big Ben, to pray for peace.
​
In the dark days of war the Silent Minute became a vast network of Light and Hope in the hearts of all people of goodwill. It had the blessing of King George VI, Sir Winston Churchill and his Parliamentary Cabinet, and it was also recognised by the US President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The Silent Minute was observed on land, at sea, on the battlefields, in air raid shelters and in hospitals. With Churchill’s support the BBC, on Sunday, 10th November 1940, began to play the chimes of Big Ben every evening at 9pm, on the radio, as a signal for the Silent Minute to begin.

​


The Glastonbury Unity Candle

PicturePhoto: Irena Zvonar
In 2009, Morgana West and Jamie Evans of Starchild, on behalf of the Pilgrim Reception Centre, explored the idea of creating candles that could be used to represent Glastonbury. In 2010, the first Unity Candle was lit in a simple ceremony involving the Pilgrim Reception volunteers.

The candles are made by Starchild, right here in the heart of Glastonbury. Each candle is charged with a unique infusion made with herbs, trees and flowers including the Glastonbury Thorn, and collected in tune with the cycles of the moon from various sites in and around Glastonbury.

Blue was chosen because there is a deep spiritual significance to it and is seen in many cultures and beliefs representing faith, devotion, peace, inner knowledge, love, tranquility and harmony.

Since then, the Candle has visited hundreds of events and, in its familiar lantern, has been taken to ceremonies and events of all kinds, attending churches, temples and sacred venues, weddings, anniversaries, christenings, funerals, talks, workshops, conferences, civic events, festivals and concerts. It also stands on the Glastonbury Town Council table every month, where, all members of the council and public are asked to stand and, following its lighting, observe a Minute’s Silence. 

Each host lights it in a way that is appropriate to them, so they are personally and energetically engaged in the process of igniting not only the flame of the Candle, but their own inner flame and reminded that peace starts within. 
13 Comments
Renata Kabke Pinheiro
8/20/2020 07:39:32 am

The Glastonbury Unity Candle Silent Minute has been a haven of peace, love, strength and light (in many different senses) through these months of COVID-19 pandemic for me. There, in that virtual room, along minutes of silent reflection, I found people willing to put their loving energies and good vibes together and send them out so that peace and unity may be spread in the world. A net of good will with people from all over the globe was formed, and the level of support and sustainment for the spirit it brings to those who join it is amazing. The Silent Minute is the highlight of most of my days, and it's definitely been the best balm for the strain of these pandemic times. I'm deeply thankful for it, and strongly recommend it for everybody who wants to a peaceful moment in their hectic days.

Reply
Morgana West
8/20/2020 07:45:30 am

Thank you so much for your encouraging comments, Much peace be with you. Morgy x

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Hattie Atkinson
8/20/2020 08:40:51 am

This beautiful Circle of new friends that meet to share thoughts & encouragement at 9pm has been a joy. On days when things feel out of our control to be able to have this oasis of calm & compassion has kept me going during the pandemic. Just a few minutes near the end of the day to put down your worries & cares & feel love & companionship ..... Priceless 🕯💙

Reply
Morgana West
8/28/2020 06:55:57 am

Thank you! It means a lot to the Ambassadors to know it helps and supports.

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Sheryl
8/20/2020 09:06:28 am

During the isolation of lockdown , The Silent Minute for Peace has been a way to connect with like minded people all around the world..... and I really have felt connected to people in the group.

For me, it's a calming time of reflection and gratitude at the end of the day and it's powerful to know that the group is collectively sending peace and unity to the world......."From small beginnings come great things".

Thank you Morgana and all of the ambassadors.

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Morgana West
8/28/2020 06:57:30 am

Little seeds of light, glittering in the darkness eh?

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Karyn Boniface
8/20/2020 10:03:33 am

As we are in a different time zone, sometimes I am tucked up in my bed during the silent minute. However, I know that you are doing the silent minute and feel you all near. It is like having a big family close by.

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Morgana West
8/28/2020 07:34:49 am

We are always together xx

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Joyce Wightman
8/21/2020 01:43:42 pm

I so look forward to the Silent Minute every evening. It’s lovely to be part of a world wide group and lighting my candle with everyone else gives me a sense of peace. It is so very helpful for me,

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Morgana West
8/28/2020 07:36:22 am

I am so blessed to know that this means so much to people and it's lovely to have you with us.

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Bethan
8/25/2020 12:33:34 pm

Working from home 40 hours a week whilst running a household can be stressful. The Silent Minute helps me take time out to breathe and reflect on the days or weeks events. I learn from all the lovely Amazing people who are part of the group. It is truly an uplifting experience that helps to bring peace, calm and light. Namaste and thank you Morgana and all Ambassadors that take time out to share this Lovely experience.🙏💜💙🌻

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Morgana West
8/28/2020 07:39:13 am

In busy and demanding lives, it's so vital to take time out and relax and build up more strength for the next day. Love and blessings to you.

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Ray Greenwood
8/28/2020 07:53:02 am

I would just like to say just how much the Glastonbury unity candle silent minute means to me. It really helps to know that all over the world, we gather together for peace and unity in these testing times. Thank you all so much for being there. With much love and many blessings.

Reply



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