Dear Friends,
On August 15, 1999, Friends gathered on Independence Mall in front of the Liberty Bell for our weekly prayer vigil for peace in the world. Lee Garner, from Central Philadelphia meeting, had come for the first time. After reading last week's report saying that some regulars were going to be on vacation, he was worried that Marcelle might have to stand alone. When the hour began, Marcelle and Lee were the only ones present, but soon they were joined by five other Friends. A passing tourist also joined the vigil, a man from Pax Christi in Seattle. He was Philippino, as is Narcissa Weatherbee from Woodbury Meeting, who also joined us for the first time.
Over the months as I have stood at the vigils, praying for peace in the Balkans and in the world, I have also been praying for peace in my own heart and in my monthly meeting, aware of the need for acknowledging my own darkness and for forgiving others. Over time I have noticed that the vigils are having a transforming effect in my heart. On this particular day my meeting had worshipped and shared together about issues that had divided us in the past. I felt how we were making the slow, transforming journey into peace, being healed and renewed by our acts of mutual confession, forgiveness, and frank sharing, but above all by the loving action of the Divine Spirit.
Last week Jorge and a friend had maintained the vigil simultaneously in Quito, Ecuador, and several of us were especially aware this week that this prayer vigil for peace was taking place in both North and South America. I (Marcelle) felt a powerful peaceful energy present with us and was aware of a strong spiritual connection to the group maintaining the vigil that afternoon in Jorge's hometown. Yolanda Covarrubias of Haverford Meeting also reported feeling a special energy and connection to those in South America. I felt that our group was being prayed through by this energy. It seemed easier this week to be standing in front of the Liberty Bell, in the midst of tourists. People were more responsive, as well. Many took our flyers and literature.
Jorge's report from Pallatanga, Ecuador:
Friday evening I attended a meeting of the peasants organization, invited by two women from the Catholic human rights committee, Juanita and Margarita. They were concerned because the peasants organization has split in the last weeks, with a minority faction threatening to "punish" the rest. One major area of conflict has been the role and use of violence and weapons in protecting the community from delinquents. Two weeks ago, on August 1, the small faction promoting violent responses had paraded throught the streets of Pallatanga with about one hundred armed people from another province. Punishment for those in disagreement would include abduction and flogging... Some people had been discouraged from continuing in or joining the majority group because of the threats. Fear had been present.
Twenty three or twenty four people sat quietly in old wooden benches to conduct their business, while I observed. Children played outside or came in and out. Margarita offered a heart-felt exhortation to unite in the struggle, offering legal help and useful information. I offered some practical assistance with the mechanics of the meeting, helping clarify decisions, highlighting contributions. At the end, I moved to the front to address something that had been more or less ignored: fear. I shared a story of when our neighbor David in North Philly told me that a ceratin neighbor, with whom I had had a confrontation, had threatened to kill me (which later David said had been a joke.) People heard the story with interest and liked the end: I made a new friend in the person who supposedly wanted to harm me. Then we talked about feeling the fear, acknowledging it to ourselves and others, and what we need to live with danger. People recalled Jesus, his love, his faith, compassion and forgiveness...
At the end of the meeting, I shared with the group about our prayer vigils, and that I would be holding a prayer vigil on the park of the town. One peasant, Cesar, walked home in the dark with me. When we departed he said he would see me at the prayer vigil. On Sunday morning Renata announced that she would be coming too, and enrolled her cousin Dianita and Dianita's cousin, Paolita. When we got to the park Cesar was there, waiting for us. He and I together held the sign I had prepared: Ora y practica paz y justicia en tu corazón (drawing), tu casa (drawing) y con todos. [Pray and practice peace and justice in your heart (drawing), your house (drawing), and with everyone.] By the end, he was holding it by himself. (Afterwards he asked to keep it, wanting to hang it in his house.) The three girls stood by my side. Renata kept still while Paulita squirmed a little and Dianita read. Another neighbor, Luis, joined us in the middle of the prayer vigil, sorry that he was late but saying that he wanted to be with us anyway.
I felt very connected to the group in Philadelphia, as though a beam of light was uniting all of us. I had worshiped alone in the morning but had not felt at peace with God: I was struggling. In the afternoon, however, standing between the three girls to my right and those two men to my left, it was easier not to resist, easier to give in. We were facing south — seeing the basketball court, the municipal building, the catholic steeple house. Many young children stopped with their eyes wide open and read our sign — I could read their lips reading slowly the words... I felt open to God's peace and experienced peace. What happened with me? Grace? The ministry of Renata and my other companions? The prayers of those in Philadelphia? A gentle drizzle fell in the misty air, enough to wash my heart. I felt connected to God again.
At the end of the hour we shook hands, gathered in a semicircle, remembered those praying in Philly. On our way to having some herbal tea and a cheese sandwich, Cesar brought up a question familiar to me and very current to him and Luis: Why does God allow injustice and evil in the world? Acknowledging the mystery in this, I shared something that usually helps my spirit: God also sends prophets and saviors, and gives us the Light to seek justice and peace. I read from Jeremiah and Ezekiel, where God calls his servants to duty and they face the weight of their responsibility for others. We talked about our calling and responsibility...
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