Six Friends gathered on a sunny day for our fortieth prayer vigil for peace in the world on Independence Mall. An unusally large number of passers-by stopped to take our literature and ask us questions. A couple times during the vigil there were two or more groups of people simultaneously speaking with participants in the vigil or clustering around the table where our flyer and brochures were displayed.
One couple from China asked a series of questions. Who sent us? Was it our church? They were a little puzzled to hear that we came from a number of different meetings or churches in the area and that it was the Spirit who sent us. But they, too, were in favor of peace in the world.
A group of teenage boys asked some hard questions. What would you do if someone like Hitler was invading this country? Would you just let him take over? They did not seem convinced by the thought that there are alternative ways to respond to and prevent violence. As they walked away, though, one grinned and shouted, "Sex, not war!" One of us smiled back and said, "Love, not war."
We were approached by one Latino family. One person seemed to be the interpreter and talked to us. He said, "I totally support you." Then the whole group had a lively discussion amongst themselves about us and the written materials they had received. A group of people from Puerto Rico also approached us. They had just finished a retreat at a yoga center and were very happy to find others who were publicly sharing their deep concern for peace in the world. The situation at the U.S. naval base in Vieques was very present in their minds. They were excited to learn that the Christian Peacemakers Team have been invited to send a delegation to the area. They left eager to maintain a connection with us and to share information about this issue.
Another family told us that they had just recently attended a Quaker meeting for worship for the first time and were happy to take more information about Quakerism. "We'll be joining you in prayer at our home," the woman said.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON THE
Independence Mall Vigil for PeacePlease join us at our weekly prayer vigils for peace in the world, held in front of the Liberty Bell on Market St. between 5th and 6th, every Sunday from 4 to 5 PM. For more information, contact cityquake@aol.com.
In our reports, participants share their experiences of the prayer vigils and explore beliefs related to their participation. Reports reflect the experience of each author and do not necessarily represent the beliefs or practice of all vigil participants. We welcome your responses, which are forwarded to the individual authors (when possible). We sometimes include part of a response in a future report, unless you ask us not to.
It is meaningful to us that you share in the vigils by reading these reports and in other ways, such as joining us in prayer.
Last modified: Wednesday, February 18, 2004 at 08:18 AM