ONCE again, the media is full of news about the stand-off in Northern Ireland between Orangemen and Unionists and the police and British armed forces.

All this is over the Orange Order marches which, as a way of remembering Protestant victory over Roman Catholic forces 300 years ago, includes marching through a predominantly Roman Catholic estate.

I confess some ignorance of the depth of feeling among both Unionists and Republicans.

Yet, I do wonder how a society can exist when people seem determined to cast their eyes back, rather than seek to build for the future.

I hope for a lasting peace but I feel true peace will only be found when it comes from the heart.

Political solutions and agreements may go a long way towards ensuring an end to violence but years of mistrust and anger don't just disappear by signing a document and handing over weapons.

Peace can only happen when both communities bridge the gap, take the risk and actually get to know one another.

I am convinced, by taking hold of the Christian message, the sense of community and peace can genuinely be fostered.

In the church I serve we want to attempt the impossible: namely to build a church community whose focus is on Jesus Christ and where barriers such as age, gender, race, political persuasion and social status are overcome.

This is impossible because, as human beings, we like to identify with people we relate to - we rarely want to face the cost of true unconditional acceptance of someone else.

But, if Jesus Christ is who he claimed to be - God come to us - and if he was crucified for our sin, died, and was raised to life, then he has the power to change us and place within us a desire for true unity and an end to enmity.

The bottom line and the starting place, however, is, are we going to acknowledge Christ's claims and follow Him? - Rev Callum Jones, North Bushey Baptist Church.