"Prayer for Peace" Service Monday, March 25th, 2002

On Monday, March 25 about 40 people gathered in the church for a Prayer of Peace service. Now that I’ve covered the basics of journalism - who, what, where, when - I can drop all pretenses of being an objective reporter and write subjectively about my own personal experience that evening.

When I arrived, chairs were set up in a semi circle with the cross and lectern at either end, lit by candles placed on the floor. People filtered in - young, old and everywhere in between. There was a definite energy of peace and quietness, and the whispered greetings to each other simply punctuated the positive energy that surrounded us.

Once we were all seated, Fred Vagle played a peaceful melody on his guitar for us. Karin Grosscup welcomed us, and we all joined Fred and Anna Vagle in the opening song Let Justice Roll Like a River. Steven Walsh gave the opening prayer, which we responded to in song. There were two readings - one from Tao Te Ching and a poem by Joyce Kennedy.

After the readings, Fred and Anna played and sang for us. We split into two groups, forming circles. Karin invited us to listen to a meditation reading and then spend time going within to reflect on peace. After 10 minutes of silent meditation, we passed a candle around the circle and spoke of whatever was in our heart. I heard others speak of the importance of community, of how music is healing and how music could be used as an instrument of peace. One woman spoke of her need to learn tolerance, to attempt to see another’s point of view. Many spoke of the need to start peace with one’s own self. Some spoke of the need for the children to grow into a world of peace.

For myself, I found that when I think of peace on a global level, I feel overwhelmed with the enormity of the problem of peace in this world. During my meditation, I discovered that because I was truly at peace with myself, it was time for me to take a role in helping others find peace within. I found great comfort in the idea of passing peace from one to another, creating a new world where individuals no longer tolerate injustice, anger, and war.

St. Francis Prayer of Peace Lord, make me an instrument of your peace, Where there is hatred, let me sow love; ...where there is injury, pardon; ...where there is doubt, faith; ...where there is despair, hope; ...where there is darkness, light; ...where there is sadness, joy; O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek ...to be consoled as to console; ...to be understood as to understand; ...to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; ...it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; ...and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

After we had finished sharing with each other, we prayed the Prayer of St. Francis. A final prayer of petition was read, and we gathered in a large circle for the closing. We turned to the person next to us, and sang Shalom four times. Each time we sang the word Shalom, we connected with the other person - right hand to right hand, left hand to left hand, bowed to each other and stood again still singing to each other. Then we moved in the circle to another person and repeated the process over and over.

What I was struck with was the absolute beauty of this ritual. It was so simplistic, yet as I stared into the eyes of other person while singing Shalom, I was overwhelmed with emotion and the ability to connect spiritually with each person.

Bridget Gaeleigh became a SJA parishioner in the fall of 2000. Bridget lives with her two cats in Richfield. During the day she assumes the role of a business/techie in corporate america, but at night she's obsessed with satellite tv medical shows, working out, reading, listening to music and doing fun stuff with friends and family.

The evening ended with hugs, smiles and laughter. As I walked to the parking lot, I reflected on the serenity that each of us had experienced over the last 90 minutes, and how we at St Joan’s are called to be peacemakers. This evening was my first step.