| REGARDING KOSOVO: PYM Statement on Violence in Yugoslavia Independence Mall Vigil for Peace AFSC Efforts · Information Links |
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Dear Friends:
April 25, Sunday afternoon, Friends and others gathered again on Independence Mall to pray and offer our witness for peace and peaceful action. Thirty one people, including an infant, met in silence in the light of a wonderful sky, touched by a gentle breeze.
The silence was deep, amidst the ongoing flow of tourists and passersby. As it has become usual, many waved at us and in several ways showed their approval, perhaps for what our signs were expressing: "Pray for peace in Kosovo," "To peace with peace," "Peace starts within," "God is Love, bombs are not," "Violence begets violence," "Stop the NATO bombing," "Peace is the way,"....
A strong, if unspoken, connection seems to be developing among those who gather, grounded in our unity in worship. God seems to be present among us, strengthening us, molding us.
Several Friends have continued to send us messages of support, ideas, encouragement. We are very grateful for that. Particularly refreshing are the reports on other prayer vigils that Quakers in different places are holding on a regular basis. We have heard, for instance, of vigils organized by Friends in Lancaster, PA (contact elizagates@aol.com), that Lehigh Valley Meeting has held a Called Meeting for Worship with focus on Kosovo the last two Wednesday evenings from 7:30 to 8:30 and hopes to continue those gatherings indefinitely into the future, that Virginia Beach meeting has been holding a round-the-clock prayer vigil, that Medford (NJ) Meeting plans to start a vigil for peace in the Balkans, that the peace rallies in Media, PA continue on Saturdays at noon at the Armory on State street, and that Woodbury (NJ) Meeting held a teach-in on Kosovo.
Our next prayer vigil will be on Sunday, May 2, at the regular time: 5 pm. We break at 6 pm, and some of us continue for some time afterwards in quiet conversation. The location at Independence Mall remains the same, and we have permits to meet there: Market Street between 5th and 6th, across from the Liberty Bell.
Please join us, either physically or spiritually, from your own place. This has been a wonderful way for us to open ourselves to God's healing love, to extend ourselves in solidarity with those who suffer violence, and to make ourselves available to God's plans for us in response to that violence.
For more information, contact us at cityquake@aol.com.
With love,
Marcelle and Jorge
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