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Peace & Witness

The Quaker Peace Testimony

The following quotations are selections that give a historic perspective of the spiritual roots of our peace testimony and concern for social justice.

And what does the Lord require of you? To do justice, love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
Micah 6:8    


The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them.
Isaiah 11:6    


Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: but I say unto you,
That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also.
And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.
Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.

Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy.
But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you,
and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
that ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven:
for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good,
and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
Luke 6:27-36    


I told the Commonwealth Commissioners I lived in the virtue of that life and power that took away the occasion of all wars... I told them I was come into the covenant of peace which was before wars and strife were.
George Fox, 1651


Our principle is, and our practices have always been, to seek peace, and ensue it, and to follow after righteousness and the knowledge of God, seeking the good and welfare, and doing that which tends to the peace of all. All bloody principles and practices we do utterly deny, with all outward wars, and strife, and fightings with outward weapons, for any end, or under any pretence whatsoever, and this is our testimony to the whole world. That spirit of Christ by which we are guided is not changeable, so as once to command us from a thing as evil, and again to move unto it; and we do certainly know, and so testify to the world, that the spirit of Christ which leads us into all Truth will never move us to fight and war against any man with outward weapons, neither for the kingdom of Christ, nor for the kingdoms of this world.

And as for the kingdoms of this world, we cannot covet them, much less can we fight for them, but we do earnestly desire and wait, that by the word of God's power and its effectual operation in the hearts of men the kingdoms of this world may become the kingdoms of the Lord and of his Christ, that he might rule and reign in men by his spirit and truth, that thereby all people, out of all different judgments and professions might be brought into love and unity with God and one with another, and that they might all come to witness the prophet's words, who said, `Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more'. (Isaiah 2:4; Micah 4:3)
Declaration to King Charles II of Britain, 1660


Our life is love, and peace, and tenderness; and bearing one with another, and forgiving one another, and not laying accusations one against another; but praying one for another, and helping one another up with a tender hand.
Isaac Penington, 1667


A good end cannot sanctify evil means; nor must we ever do evil, that good may come of it... It is as great presumption to send our passions upon God's errands, as it is to palliate them with God's name... We are too ready to retaliate, rather than forgive, or gain by love and information. And yet we could hurt no man that we believe loves us. Let us then try what Love will do: for if men did once see we love them, we should soon find they would not harm us. Force may subdue, but Love gains: and he that forgives first, wins the laurel.
William Penn, 1693


PYM Peace Epistle
In the fall of 2006, PYM held a called session on the spiritual roots of our Peace Testimony. Monthly Meetings have been encouraged to take up the epistle that was written out of that session, and see how it might inspire their own witness and ministry. If your Meeting has not had a chance to formally consider the epistle, you can click here to find it and the minutes from that session.

Christian Peace Witness for Iraq
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
We invite you to join thousands in a "Christian Peace Witness for Iraq." As followers of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, our faith compels us to make our voice heard-to repent of our complicity with the invasion and occupation of Iraq and to renew our commitment to peacemaking. We ask you to join us in praying for peace, studying the scriptures, learning nonviolence, lighting candles of hope, and gathering together for an ecumenical public witness on the fourth anniversary of the war in Iraq. We stand in solidarity with sisters and brothers in other faith traditions and ask their prayers and support for our witness.
- From the Third Haven Newsletter

Peace & Witness Activities in the PYM Region

 HOPE bulletin -latest issue posted!
image - PLUS archived issues


Scheduled Vigils at Meetings posted here
If your Meeting is a partner for, or hosts, a regular vigil or an event submit to joanb [at] pym.org. We’ll post what we can. Put VIGIL or EVENT in subject.
** Tue-Sat, Jan 13-17, 2009 :: Heeding God’s Call: A Gathering on Peace **
*** WATCH PYM news and website
for more details and announcements! ***
Meetings and events, working groups of PYM
See Earthcare Working group meetings and events listed here.
Lehigh Valley: 1st Friday Film / Popcorn & Politics
September 5th: Dorothy Day. See schedules on the LEPOCO website. www.lepoco.org
Preparing to Trick or Treat & Witnessing to a better world
Plan to support options for those trick and treaters!
Debate questions by October 2nd
" Darfur should count in the election. Make your voice heard. " Genocide Intervention Network.
October 7, 2008 :: Selling Democracy: Films of the Marshall Plan 1948-1953
Swarthmore College, Science Center 101. Sandra Schulberg, producer and director presents recoved and restored film.
October 10-12 :: Weekend Nonviolent Conflict Intervention
Training Of Trainers :: Nonviolent Peaceforce, Swarthmore Meeting
Thursday, Oct 16 :: Dr Dahlia Wasfi to speak on Gulf War consequences in Iraq
Delaware Pacem in Terris - 41st annual dinner and celebrating local champions of peace and justice!
An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind.
Our billboard on Route 13 in Laurel, Delaware.

Peace Vigils on Delmarva

If you know of other activities that should be posted here please email: sqm@friendsmedia.org

Silent Vigil At Salisbury University
College Avenue & Route 13, Salisbury, Maryland
Sundays 2-3 pm
Sponsored by Peace Alliance of the Lower Shore
For further information call 410-546-8079 or e-mail salisburypals@gmail.com

Outdoor Labyrinth
Open 24 Hours for Prayer and Meditation
St. Peter's Episcopal Church In the Meditation Garden
2nd Street, Lewes, DE

Dover, Delaware Peace Vigil
Thursdays 4pm to 5pm in front of the Dover Post Office on Loockerman Street.
Sponsored by Kent County Peace Fellowship.
Contact: 302.335.4330

Easton, Maryland Peace Vigil
Thursdays 5pm to 5:30pm in front of the court house on Washington Street.
Contact: 410.745.3932.

Lewes, Delaware Peace Vigil
Sundays 1pm to 1:45pm at at the Zwaanendael Museum, corner of Savannah and Kings Highway.
Contact Patricia Gibler: akgraces@earthlink.net

We must be the change we wish to see in the world. - Mohandis K. Gandhi

Quaker Peace & Justice Resources Online

Other Delmarva Peace Groups & Churches

Other Peace & Justice Resources Online

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