Introduction
Each January, University United Methodist Church explores faith through contemporary art and storytelling. This year, the worship series shifts from film to Broadway, inviting us to encounter theological truth through music and stage. Drawing from the musical Come From Away, Rev. Melanie Lee Carey centers this message on the human longing for peace—especially in moments shaped by fear, violence, and uncertainty.
The sermon reflects on how peace is prayed for, embodied, and practiced—not only on the world stage, but in everyday acts of courage, hospitality, and witness.
Key Themes
Faith Found in Story and Song
Broadway musicals offer more than entertainment; they carry moral imagination. Come From Away reveals how kindness and connection emerge in the shadow of tragedy.
Peace as a Spiritual Calling
Jesus names peacemakers as God’s children. Paul urges believers to live with humility, patience, and unity. Peace is not optional; it is central to Christian discipleship.
Peace Begins Within
True peace does not start with treaties or ceasefires. It begins by calming the turmoil within ourselves so we can become channels of peace for others.
Hospitality as Holy Resistance
The people of Gander, Newfoundland model radical welcome. Their response to strangers after 9/11 shows how compassion can disrupt fear and build community.
Witness in the Face of Injustice
Modern examples—from churches marking ICE abduction sites to immigrant communities responding with gratitude and generosity—demonstrate how peace is made visible through moral courage.
Repair, Not Erasure
Peace does not erase suffering. It enters the cracks left by violence and loss and begins the slow, faithful work of repair.
“Peace does not begin on the global stage; it begins in the quiet stillness of our inner lives.”
Next Steps
Personal Practice
- Pray daily: Make me a channel of your peace.
- Reflect on areas of inner unrest that need tending.
- Watch the song “Prayer” from Come From Away (West End performance) and meditate on its interfaith witness.
Community Action
- Show up for neighbors facing fear or injustice.
- Support ministries and organizations committed to peacebuilding.
- Practice hospitality as a form of faithful resistance.
Join Us
Join us for worship at University United Methodist Church as we continue the Faith on Broadway series, exploring how faith takes shape through story, song, and shared witness.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why focus on Broadway musicals in worship?
They offer powerful stories that engage moral imagination and reveal deep spiritual truths through art.
Q: What does it mean to be a peacemaker?
It means actively working for justice, reconciliation, and dignity—within ourselves, our communities, and the world.
Q: Is praying for peace enough?
Prayer grounds us, but peace also requires action, presence, and courage.
Q: How can ordinary people make peace?
Through small, faithful acts—hospitality, solidarity, witness, and love—that collectively shape a new world.
Closing Reflection
Peace is not passive. It is patient, demanding, and deeply human. It asks us to descend into the cracks left by violence and loss, to learn what has been broken, and to begin the careful work of repair.
In a world desperate for healing, the call remains clear:
Make me a channel of your peace.
Blessed are the peacemakers. Amen.
