‘Let Peace Be Among Us’: Friends worldwide gather for World Quaker Day
On Sunday, Oct. 4, Chicagoland Quaker Meetings — including Downers Grove, Evanston, Lake Forest, Northside, Oak Park and 57th Street Friends (Hyde Park) — will join thousands of Friends worldwide for the annual World Quaker Day.
In a year marked by global political fracture and conflict, this year’s international theme, "Let Peace Be Among Us” serves as a collective re-commitment to the Quaker Peace Testimony of non-violence and is scripturally anchored to Hebrews 12:14 “Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy.”
As a commitment to that holy imperative, the Friends World Committee for Consultation (FWCC) is hosting a massive Global Online Prayer Vigil.
“We are specifically inviting Friends to reflect on peacebuilding in specific areas around the world that have requested upholding prayer and support from our diverse body. Engaging the whole Quaker community in this effort is a way to bring us together in a common witness around the world," said Evan Welkn, executive secretary of the FWCC Section of the Americas. "This worship will focus on specific delineated hour by hour areas around the world … sharing about their life and work in prepared ministry with worship that will include both silence and almost certainly culturally specific worshipful song and activities appropriate to the cultural context, in English and Spanish. ”
Quakers on every continent will celebrate through public silent vigils, community open houses, interfaith peace walks, and targeted educational forums focused on local peacebuilding. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to participate in this global event regardless of their political, religious or cultural beliefs, race or sexual orientation.
Local Chicagoland Quaker Meetings are opening their doors to the public for this global online silent vigil for peace. Sitting in silence is a central custom in Quaker faith and practice. It helps individuals quiet their minds and listen to the “still small voice” of the divine spirit within themselves.
According to Marcia Nelson, co-clerk of the Downers Grove Friends Meeting and former field-secretary for the Illinois Yearly Meeting, “Outer peace, without distractions of noise, hatred, bigotry, and war, makes it easier to attain inner peace. Inner peace gives us the strength to put in the effort to work toward our own sense of peace as well as among neighbors and nations. Our efforts improve and create outer peace. That’s why Quakers often quote the pacifist A. J. Muste, who said: There is no way to peace; peace is the way.”
Those unable to attend a public viewing at a participating Quaker Meetinghouse in the Chicago area are encouraged to register online as an individual participant at worldquakerday.org.