Episcopal Peace Fellowship to join continuous ecumenical prayer vigil for Iraq
Episcopal News Service. August 31, 2007 [083107-01]
Joe Bjordal, Communications consultant based in Minneapolis, Minnesota
The Episcopal Peace Fellowship (EPF), a 65-year-old nationwide membership organization, has announced plans to launch a massive prayer effort surrounding the war in Iraq. EPF is joining with 34 other religious organizations to launch a continuous prayer vigil in churches across the country beginning on or around September 21, 2007, the International Day of Peace.
The ecumenical collaboration, Christian Peace Witness for Iraq, was initially formed to sponsor a major, national peace witness in Washington, D. C. on March 16, 2007. More than 300 Episcopalians from around the country joined thousands of others to fill the National Cathedral for a prayer service and then march, in candlelight vigil, to the White House.
"The leaders of these many organizations want to build on the success of the March event and we believe our prayer efforts need to be ongoing," said the Rev. Jackie Lynn, EPF's executive director.
Lynn noted that on EPF's behalf the effort is being spearheaded by the Iraq Action Group, co-chaired by the Rev. Madeleine Beard, deacon at St. Mark's Church, Highland, Maryland, and the Rev. Hal Hayek, rector of St. Anne's Church, Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
The specific goals of the continuous prayer vigil are the five "pillars" around which Christian Peace Witness for Iraq was formed: end the U. S. war and occupation; support our troops; support an Iraqi-led peace process; say no to torture; and say yes to justice.
Calling on bishops, dioceses
Beard and Hayek joined retired Bishop Edward L. Lee of Western Michigan, a member of EPF's National Executive Council, in writing to Episcopal bishops in late July. The recipients were the bishops who sent a letter to congress on May 16, 2007, in which they called for a "careful and reasoned debate" to end the violence and "bring stability and a just peace to the region."
Beard, Hayek and Lee thanked the bishops for "leadership that has helped all communities of faith join together, and to call for and seek a just and lasting peace."
They also asked the bishops to "exercise your office once more in assisting with national vigils for peace" by calling for establishing the ongoing prayer efforts in congregations throughout their dioceses.
A flexible proposal
The vigils, the bishops explained, are "meant to move people continuously to recall the work of peace" and "should be what works in a given place and be incorporated into existing peace work."
In describing the effort to her own congregation at St. James Cathedral, Chicago, Lynn noted there is great flexibility in the ongoing prayer vigil proposal.
St. James will launch its vigil on the International Day of Peace, September 21.
"Then, we invite you to claim one time a day, week or month that you will pray for peace in Iraq," Lynn wrote in the Cathedral newsletter.
Lynn noted that Christian Peace Witness for Iraq will soon launch a new website section where churches from across the nation, of all denominations, will be able to register their prayer vigil plans and also order lapel buttons that will identify participants in the effort and other resources.
Initial response encouraging
EPF leadership has reported that the initial Episcopal response to the call for the continuous prayer vigils is encouraging, with many vigils in the planning process. Several congregations have already announced plans to participate. They include the Cathedral of the Incarnation, Baltimore; St. Alban's Church, Washington, D. C.; St. James Cathedral, Chicago; All Saints Church, Pasadena; and St. Anne's Church, Winston-Salem.
The Iraq Action Group is now in the process of mobilizing the 300 Episcopalians who participated in the March 16 peace witness in Washington, D.C., asking them to be "diocesan and state representatives" contacting their bishops and helping to organize vigils throughout their regions.
"Our Iraq Action continuous vigils are an effort to raise our consciousness of the real cost of war in the hearts and minds of all people," said Hayek. "We seek to create a response out of our faith in the Gospel to live a non-violent life as Jesus has taught us. Our witness is out of compassion for all who are suffering -- Americans, Iraqis, and the global community -- hoping to change our political practice so dialogue and peace have a chance to take root.
Prayer vigil resources are available at Episcopal Peace Fellowship and Christian Peace Witness for Iraq.