Central marks the International Day of Peace with origami cranes

A brilliantly-hued representation of the prayers of the people soared overhead in Central's historic sanctuary in 2008, and will soar again later this month. Each flash of color was an origami crane folded by someone in our church. And inside each bird was written the name of a member of our congregation, prayed for as the crane was created.

Yet the focus of this artwork is larger than any individual or congregation. The work—completed over the course of several years—was installed to mark September 21, the International Day of Peace.

Why origami cranes? Early in 1955, a twelve-year-old girl named Sadako Sasaki developed leukemia as a result of exposure to radiation from the nuclear bomb dropped on her hometown, Hiroshima, at the end of World War II. Visiting her in the hospital, Sadako’s best friend reminded her of the Japanese legend that, if she could fold one thousand cranes, her wish to be made well might be granted. Stories differ as to whether Sadako was able to finish one thousand cranes before her death in October 1955, or whether her friends completed the task in her memory.

Regardless, a statue of Sadako holding a golden crane now stands in the Hiroshima Peace Memorial and, every day, cranes arrive from people all over the world who hope and pray and work for peace.

Like Sadako’s cranes, the exact number of Central’s cranes remains unknown. We estimated it to be more than 2000. Many thanks to all who prayed these three-dimensional prayers and helped create our “A Wing and a Prayer” art installation that can now inspire us all to serve the Prince of Peace.

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