On Sunday, June 18th after the vigil we'll stay to discuss our presence during the Republican Convention and other issues related to our witness for peace.
The following report of the vigil held on May 28, 2000 was written by Rich Ailes of Middletown Monthly Meeting (Concord QM):
It is my time to attend the vigil for peace again down in Philadelphia at the Liberty Bell. While traveling in by car from the suburbs I reflect on the faithfulness of attendance by the regular members of the vigil. Looking at my own spotty attendance, I see the difference between us. I pray that someday I may be more faithful to this witnessing, but I've long since stopped judging myself harshly for "not doing what I'm supposed to be doing." I've accepted that God accepts small steps towards peace and love with open arms, knowing that small steps become larger ones over time. Still I am mindful and grateful for the strong and faithful witnessing of others.
Why am I drawn towards this vigil, whose simplicity and spirit seems to be enhanced by the fact that so few people take the time to come into town to participate? A few years ago, I came out from shopping at the Gallery Mall on Market Street not far from here. There in front of me was a woman about my age dressed plainly, a Mennonite. She was standing on the sidewalk handing out a pamphlet to passers by. The pamphlet was not the usual blaring "evangelical" message of repenting your ways and preparing the way of the Lord. The pamphlet was a fairly straightforward presentation on how the violence in ourselves was an impediment to a Christian way of life. In the pamphlet there were practical suggestions for more peaceful ways to handle conflicts.
I took a pamphlet from her, thanking her quickly and walking off. But in that short time she had impressed me with her faith and given me some practical advice to reflect on later. There was no sense of having to "change" myself in order to save the world, only a gentle push for me to take a look at myself in a more thoughtful way. I walked away thinking this is something Friends should be doing. Instead of being somewhat "idolatrous" in our desire to "speak truth to power" — meaning standing up to our big governments and corporations — why couldn't we be "speaking truth to our fellow citizens" — meaning presenting our "truths" to people we see everyday on the street, in a way that was gentle, loving, but straightforward? This is why I like these vigils and this is why the knowledge of the vigils stay with me even when I don't participate.
We are standing out here today with signs that have an easy message to grasp, and I see lots of people like me, working class people of all colors, sizes and shapes, go by, being affected by our signs. And our signs are invitations for them to think about their lives in a reflective way, small reminders that God is available to them, always. I know that our words have some effect even on those who try not to notice us, if only to remind them of some long forgotten part of themselves that they've left behind.
Today I do not feel so awkward as I stand holding my sign. I feel stronger about the witness. I start thinking about war and violence and take it down to the personal level. What is it inside me which glorifies war, treats it with such fantasy? During the Vietnam era it was easier to see the horrors of war because my governement was perpetrating those horrors and they were constantly before me in the news. Now there is very little before me to remind me about the suffering and destruction that war brings. So my mind fills in the vacuum with the latest image of Tom Cruise storming through an explosion, promoting the newest violent Hollywood blockbuster. My maleness goes there, I know. Even as a Quaker I am susceptible to the lure of the powerful male. I wonder if I can easily be susceptible to the lure of the compassionate and loving male, to the lure of Jesus.
I stand there watching folks as they go by, returning their gaze with a smile or a reverent look. I think that our witness is a witness against the violence which is in all of us. It is not just a reminder that our government uses this violence to implement violence, but a reminder that all governments can use the violence in us to perpetrate violence. We may not be able to change that, even with our wildest efforts to "speak truth to power." But what we can do is similar to what Jesus did — speak to the condition of those whom we meet, present a witness to our family, friends, and neighbors to which they can be drawn. One to one or one to few, we can be examples of God's light to others and show them a different way. In this way we meet them in Christian love and promote peace in the world as a loving by-product. I hope to witness again this way in the future as I grow further in my faith.
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