Nomination for Chemnitz Peace Prize
Irish Methodist Mission Partners Rev Dr Barry and Gillian Sloan were recently nominated for the Chemnitz Peace Prize.
Barry explains, “4 weeks ago I received a call from a jury member of the Chemnitz Peace Prize. He wanted to know if my wife and I work voluntarily at the INSPIRE on the Brühl, or are we employed? The reason was - someone nominated us for the Chemnitz Peace Prize 2023. When I told him that we are paid by our churches, he clarified that the Peace Prize should only go to volunteers. But I was surprised and very encouraged just by the nomination alone. Nevertheless, we were invited to the award ceremony in the Chemnitz town hall, where we were thanked as nominees (NOT winners!).
In the picture you can read what is written on the certificate. The jury saw our (INSPIRE) work with refugees (that of 2015 and that of Ukraine since March 2022) and our contribution to peaceful coexistence on the Brühl (i.e. through INSPIRE).
These are things like:
Gill teaches German to 2 groups of Ukrainians every week
Barry & Gill do Cafe Ukraine every Wednesday
On Fridays there is the language cafe for all foreigners
We help individual families and people who have fled and end up on the Brühl in Chemnitz
Barry supports the “SWAF” campaign in Chemnitz - Start With A Friend - for people from abroad trying to arrive in Chemnitz.
Barry & Gill act as reconcilers in Cafe INSPIRE with our regular guests and with the other actors on the Brühl, where there is friction
The film "On the Brühl" - shot by UMC Discipleship Ministries - shows what role INSPIRE plays when it comes to peaceful coexistence on the Brühl.
It's not my style to talk about this nomination. But some colleagues have told me that it would be good for others to know about it.
INSPIRE is not mentioned on the certificate, but the Church is: “Gillian and Barry Sloan, Methodists on a World Mission”. The jury used these words - I had nothing to do with it, but it fits. That's why I'm sharing this with you.
We are really grateful that our churches make it possible to do ministry in Germany and that we can see some of the fruits of the labor.
Best regards,
Barry.”