Siqi You

"In this photo you can see the Rose of Sharon. They are a bush of white hibiscus flowers with a dark red center. I was just strolling around trying to find something that I thought was peace. I was outside on a sidewalk in front of someone’s house… I chose this photo because I thought that the flowers were really beautiful. To me, when I see pretty things, I feel a sense of peace because it's pleasing to the eye."

Joanna

"When I took [this] picture, the weather has a gust of wind and it wasn’t too sunny or cloudy. This was taken on the beach of Lake Ontario. I took this photo because I wanted the water, tree, and wooden path in it. I also thought it was cool taking a picture in the tree instead of not in the tree. In the photo, it made me peaceful by the calming water hitting the shore and waves. Nature relates to peace by the beauty it gives up."

Nathan Ngai

"This photo was taken outside on a sunny day while walking with my friends. The vibrant pink and orange petals caught my attention against the surrounding green vegetation. I chose this photo because the flowers are beautiful. Even when surrounded by weeds the flowers are able to blossom and stay healthy. I think this photo encourages perseverance as, much like the flowers, peace can persevere in dark times."

Delphae

"It’s a quiet pretty area. The dim lighting creates a cozy ambiance, which means you feel at rest."

Summer

"I took this image looking up ↑ at the sky. It was a sunny day with fluffy clouds drifting lazily across the sky. I took this with a nest of trees in the shot. It’s a pretty cool contrast – the dark green of the leaves against the white clouds and the bright blue sky. It was a very peaceful feeling – standing in the shade of the trees, glancing towards the sky… God’s creation is peaceful."

Joanna

"The flower in the photo was taken because I thought it looked pretty. Our church has a lot of flowers but this flower is my favourite. This picture in the photo reminded me of Peace because seeing this it made me calm, in a way. Nature makes me relaxed, that’s why I took it."

Delphae

"I was with my sister at Queen’s Park and I saw a field of cotton grass. They looked so fluffy and whimsical, which I thought felt very peaceful."

Nathan Ngai

"The photo depicts a sunset at Woodbine beach. On the beach many people are playing soccer and volleyball… This photo was taken while I was playing volleyball at the beach with my friends. The bright sun and dark shadows inspired me to take the photo. I chose this photo because it represents the importance of community. The teamwork across volleyball and soccer played at the beach reminded me that cooperation is necessary for peace. The bright sun reminds us that we all share the same earth, the same moon and the same stars. Humanity is one collective so it is important that we build healthy relationships and avoid conflict, for that is the first step towards peace."

Summer

"This image captures a shot of a grassy field with trees surrounding it. There is nobody on it, which is what makes it so peaceful. This is actually a pretty rare moment. Pretty much whenever I come to the beach, the field is always occupied, whether it’s people having picnics, large group handouts or parties, playing sports (soccer, football, volleyball, badminton), or couples strolling through the park. I was walking around by myself (and enjoying the time alone, actually!) When I saw the peaceful green field :) We were at the beach. I liked how EMPTY the field was!! Sometimes, with no humans in view, it can be quite peaceful."

Siqi You

"There wasn’t anything crazy going on when I took this photo it was just like a normal peaceful day. I was outside and in front of the church under the many big trees that were providing shade… I took this photo because everything in the moment was peaceful, the sun shining through the leaves, the wind flowing past and just the sound of everyday cars and birds chirping… I chose this photo because I thought it was very cinematic. The moment when the photo was taken was peaceful; being able to feel the breeze and the warm sun really made me feel a sense of peace."

Amber

"This photo can be interpreted as an analogy/metaphor for peace, and our role to maintain it. Just as the tree thrived even as it grew offshore in the water, surrounded by rocks and with few neighbouring plants, we can resemble the trees when we are peacemakers. We may be in an unfamiliar environment, far and isolated from normal surroundings, or stepping outside the security of our comfort zone. Be that as it may, we should still strive towards peace where we are, with the people around us, and try to reflect God. Maybe we will be that burst of colour in someone’s life as the trees added colour to the landscape."

Henry

"When this photo was taken we were at the beach by Lake Ontario, this was a huge tree in the park by the beach. I was inspired to take this photo because I like nature and this tree looked amazing. I chose this photo because I love going on hikes and looking at the animals, plants, and trees around me when I do and this big tree reminded me of that, so this reminds me of peace because to me hiking and looking at nature is peace."

Jaxon

"On a nature hike with my family we crossed through many plants and trees and animals. The sun peaking through the trees reminded me of happiness that can shine through a stormy day. One action of kindness can completely alter someone’s day… This photo was one of the few shots I took that was uncanny. It was taken from the ground. I chose this because over the week I learned that it’s important to understand different sides and perspectives in order to form an opinion. This can help us resolve & find solutions to conflict. This photo is a reminder to understand one’s story before judging their action."

Amber

"This squirrel on the tree is peaceful because it is separate from the complexity of the human world, human structures and processes. It is simply a creature of God’s creation minding its own business. Could potentially represent the coexistence of nature with humans, since it appears that the branch was cut off by human machinery because of disease, sickness, hazard, overgrown, or infestation."

Toronto Peace Academy is an initiative of Toronto Chinese Mennonite Church.

Toronto Peace Academy is an initiative of