The sound of a hammer striking a nail may remind you of strength or aggression, but not when it comes to Forging for Peace.
Frieden: Forging for Peace, is borne out of Germany. It includes a network of professional blacksmiths that demonstrate their skills to the masses while promoting peace efforts in war-torn regions of the world.
“It’s about getting people to start conversations about how we could as a as a community, as a state, as a country, as a world, move closer to peace,” says Peacesmith #26, Scott Lankton who lives in Cedar. Lankton has been a blacksmith for over 40 years.
Rather than using their tools to create weapons of war, like blacksmiths have for hundreds of years, they use their skillset to create nails. The nails are a metaphor for connecting people together in peace, which is also symbolized by the branded dove and olive branch on the nailhead.
“We’re trying to connect people together in an international movement for peace. so these large nails are just a way that we can connect,” says Lankton.
The nails are given to anybody who donates to a charity at one of the Forging for Peace public demonstrations. Participating non profits can be , helping survivors in countries like Ukraine.
“We see these images, we see these pictures; what’s happening in Ukraine is unacceptable to the whole world. we cannot let this kind of aggression happen to otherwise peaceful countries,” says Lankton.
But as Lankton notes, the fight for peace exists in other countries outside of Ukraine. Roughly 40 countries in the world are at war as of February.
Donations of money, clothes, blankets and hygiene products can make all the difference, according to Tom Pirnstill, an elder at Living Hope Lutheran Church in Farwell.
“When there’s a need, everybody wants to do something, whether it’s a little or whether it’s a lot,” says Pirnstill.
The church is collecting donations until Monday, July 18 for their volunteer network — Orphan Grain Train. On Tuesday morning, their 53-foot long trailer will be heading to Sebewaing before being distributed to those in need.
No donation is too small as any piece of clothing, blanket or even a toy can make all the difference in someone’s spirit if they are left with nothing.
“There’s too much evil in the world. so we need to change that into a positive for love,” says Pirnstill. “That’s what we’re attempting to do here.”
For anyone interested in seeing a demonstration of Forging for Peace, visit the on August 13.
© 2023 - 910 Media Group
