On Sunday, June 27th, nine Friends and other people of Faith joined together again for our weekly prayer vigil for peace on Independence Mall across from the Liberty Bell. Our concern was not only for the Balkans, but to pray for peace in the world. All of us had come to earlier vigils in response to the bombing in Yugoslavia or with a concern for the people of Kosovo. We felt that we must continue even after an agreement was signed and the bombing had stopped, aware that true peace had not yet been achieved in Yugoslavia, that the causes of the violence there had not yet been removed, and also aware that violence and the causes of war continue to be fostered in this country and around the world.
In addition to the usual signals of approval from many passers-by and the photos taken by tourists, several people took a particular interest in the vigil and stopped to ask questions or talk. One man said that he approved of what we were doing. He was invited to join us. He said not now, he'd lose his job if he did—he was a military officer. "You'd be surprised how many people in the military are pacifists," he said. Before he stepped away, he said "God bless you" and "thank you" to all the vigilers.
Perhaps most people are pacifists in the sense that we want to live in a peaceful world. But how much are each one of us complicit with or even profiting from war and the preparations for war? There's a story told about early Friends. A Friend, talking to another man about refusing to be in the military, created a picture of a world in which every person refused to participate in war. "Of course, if everyone else agreed not to make war, I would too," the other man said. "I see you are determined to be the last righteous man on earth," the Friend responded. "I want to be one of the first."
I, Marcelle, feel that I first experienced an invitation to participate in these vigils before I knew what the invitation would mean, in practical terms. It happened on March 27, during the first day of our 1999 PYM annual sessions, at Arch Street. We had spent the morning talking about items of business involving finances and nominations to committees and so forth, and most of the afternoon agenda was filled with similar items. It was after lunch and we were in the midst of worship to open the afternoon session. During the silence, I had a strong and wonderful experience of being invited to enter or particpate in the compassionate heart of Christ. It was like an invitation to become a part of the heart of God. I experienced this as an invitation not just to me but to the whole of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting. I was in awe. Then, out of the silence, one Friend after another began to speak about the bombings in Yugoslavia and about our peace testimony. One Friend spoke of God's compassion. After worship, Friends asked to change the planned agenda to create time to write a minute about the situation in Yugoslavia. In the week that followed, as plans were made to hold the first prayer vigil for peace in the Balkans, I began to understand that the vigil was a response to the invitation I had experienced. Over the weeks and now months of standing in prayer on Market street every Sunday afternoon from five to six, in sunshine and in rain, I have been learning more about that invitation. I have felt my heart gradually being transformed during those vigils to less conflictual and more open to holding and radiating God's compassion. I think many people who have attended the vigils, particularly those who have come several times, have experienced something of that same power transforming us even as we stand for a transformation that is needed in the world.
We hope others will come join us as we continue these vigils indefinitely into the future, as long as we continue to sense God's invitation to do so.
A NOTE REGARDING THE LOCATION: This coming Sunday, July 4th, we will still meet, God willing, at our regular place across the street from the Liberty Bell. Starting on July 11th we will meet on the other side of the street, that is, on the same side as the Liberty Bell, on Independence Mall (Market Street, between 5th and 6th.) The time continues the same: 5 PM.
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