Hello, dear Friends! Marcelle is off to a retreat, and I, Jorge, am writing this report alone. I hope you are all well, in peace.
About nine persons gathered to pray for peace in the world on Independence Mall last Sunday, September 12. (Later, when Dances for Universal Peace started, our number increased to about fifteen or sixteen, including a couple of onlookers who joined the dance.)
I had just arrived from Ecuador a few days before and had been to a long weekend gathering at Pendle Hill right afterwards, so being there for our prayer vigil was like just landing in Philadelphia. I remembered people in the Plaza Grande, Quito, particularly Patricio, my prayer vigil companion there. I prayed for guidance regarding the work that seems to be needed in my country of origin in South America.
One prayer vigil participant asked for prayers for peace within his own family. I felt moved by his petition. It showed to me humility and openness, so necessary to build a community of peace. At the Pendle Hill weekend I had felt strongly the need to work for greater understanding and harmony in my relationship with my own monthly meeting, and our brother's request seemed a sign in the same direction.
We had a designated person to interact with inquirers, but at times Marcelle and I felt moved to step forward and respond also. Once more I was filled with a sense of sacredness in carrying this ministry: our presence in the street is like a bridge, and our extended hand, our words, the materials we give away help us and other people cross it. On the bridge, communion is reached. A young woman, who along with her male partner seemed to be in the terrible grip of drug addiction, said to me as I handed her our flyer: "Keep on, What you're doing is so much needed!" Beyond her words of encouragement, I felt the tenderness of a heart that had been touched. Seeing her smile, the warmth in her eyes, I had the image of a withered branch growing green again.
One small stone struck the ground and ran around our feet. It had been thrown by children from the other side of the street, walking by: another small test for our witness. Probably those children were expressing their aggression to us; maybe they were also trying, in their own way, to reach out to us. Let us pray that we will learn to deal with the small tests we are given now, which may help us deal with bigger tests tomorrow.
At the end of our first hour of prayer, Ayesha Lauenborg and a group of friends joined us for a another hour of singing and dancing. Ayesha, playing various kinds of guitars, led us with the lyrics and the graceful, simple choreography of Dances of Universal Peace. We prayed with joy, as we gave in to the grace of movement, and love and harmony sprung from our hearts. Thank you, Ayesha, so much! May the peace of God, that you help spread through the world, always abound in your soul!
Thank you all, Friends. Please join us on Sunday at 5 PM wherever you are, and, if you feel so moved, come to Independence Mall (or go out to a public place around where you live!) (For information about the Prayer Vigils for Peace, contact Jorge at AmigoJorge@aol.com.)
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