Dear Friends,
I start this report with the events of this past week in Philadelphia in my mind. Fearing to tread upon the sacred, I feel that it is time to be silent. Let ours be a silence to grieve and to honor.
Silence to grieve over the violence of deaf ears, barricaded behind luxury and words and images of political convenience. Silence to grieve the violence of alienation and exasperation of protesters and the violence of police reprisal. Silence to grieve the indifference that seems to grip most of us.
And, silence to honor those who risked freedom and personal safety to present their witness, some of them suffering great abuse while being arrested and staying in prison. Silence to honor those who, confronting the protesters, strived for restrainr and forbearance. Silence to honor those who, on different sides of power and party lines, have opened their hearts to the voice of dissent.
Silence to ponder and pray for the grave condition of this country and the world.
May God use our silence to open a way for the voice of truth, peace and justice in ourselves, the country and on earth.
About thirty two people, including several young Friends and some white-haired, prayed together on Independence Mall on July 31. We peacefully shared our space with people from the Silent March.
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