Dear Friends,
The following report of the prayer vigil for peace in the world held on September 26th was written by Greg Austin, of Newtown Square Meeting:
This past Sunday I participated in the peace vigil at Independence Mall for the second time. I believe there were eight of us, including a child.
I arrived feeling isolated and unconnected, but this feeling quickly vanished in the warm and friendly welcome I recieved from Marcelle and Jorge. I began the vigil praying for peace of mind for everyone I knew who was suffering from loss or hardship. As I prayed and thought about each person I was worried about, I was enveloped by a feeling of euphoric well being that lasted throughout the peace vigil and for sometime afterwards. After praying for several individuals, I started to pray for peace on a wider scale. I raised the troubles in Indonesia, Colombia, Yugoslavia, and the Middle East in my mind, then moved to praying that all of us being there would be helpful to someone that day.
I heard someone singing John Lennon's "Give Peace a Chance" as they walked by, and the chorus played over and over in my mind for quite a while. I also heard a passing motorist blow his horn several times and yell "Peace!" in a very loud voice.
Most of the time, however, I was unaware of what was going on around us, with the exception of several fire trucks passing by with sirens blaring. The joy of the warm weather and my own internal sense of peace was what I was most aware of. When the vigil was over, I was also aware of an inner certainty that participating in the peace vigil was 'right' for me to be part of. I am grateful to Friends for their faithfulness in organizing and maintaining the vigils for peace.
One love always, Greg Austin
We have shared with you in the past how some interactions with young people have been challenging and unsettling. This week four or five boys on bicycles came over, with an attitude of apparent curiosity and mockery. One of us approached them (with some trepidation, we know), shook their hands, introduced himself, asked their names, and gave them some literature. Curiosity seemed to prevail over mockery, and give way to a sense of wonder. They asked questions, then left. I felt that they were leaving us behind: they were done with us. They were also taking something from us: a little bit of respect, of consideration, a feeling of having been treated as persons ...
For more information about the vigils, held in front of the Liberty Bell on Market Street, between 5th and 6th, contact Marcelle and Jorge at Cityquake@aol.com and AmigoJorge@aol.com.
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