Interfaith Pray for Peace Gatherings (Virginia)
October 17th, 2007
I recently ran across a posting about the “interfaith pray for peace gatherings” held by the Central Virginia Interfaith Cooperation Circle and thought I would pose a couple of questions to the organizers:
- What do you find most moving about these gatherings? How long have they been going on?
- Can you see a difference in your own lives — and the lives of the participants?
I have been participating in and helping to facilitate these meetings since October 2001. Although they started the month after 9/11, they were planned long before that sad event.
Originally, there were 3 women - a Muslim, a Christian and me, a Jew, who decided to gather each month and invite others to join us to pray for world peace. Over the years, we have met at different faith organizations’ locations throughout the Charlottesville area, with members of the different groups facilitating the evening’s program. We have a large binder of gathered prayers, poetry and readings from different traditions and writers, and songbooks with a variety of songs, which we use at each gathering. We use these and any additional offerings from the evening’s facilitator at each gathering.
What I find most moving about the IPfPG is the contrast of simplicity and impact. They are simple gatherings, as you can see in the description, but the power of the prayers, songs and peace-affirming energy in the room is intense and palpable. Participants leave feeling inspired and re-invigorated, believing, for some incredible reason, that this gathering made a difference and will help in the healing of our world. One longtime participant, a very talented artist, weaver and writer, says that it is the most beautiful thing she does each month.
The Pray for Peace Gatherings have had a two-fold impact in my life. On the one hand, the events themselves are nourishing spiritually and emotionally - they encourage and strengthen my hope for, belief in and commitment to the potential for peace in our world. This enrichment — kinesthetic, emotional, intellectual and spiritual — happens every time we get together. On the other hand, as one of the organizers, the gatherings have demanded something of me — that I continue to show up, regardless of my level of energy or the weather outside. The gatherings have taught me about the value of remaining committed. By remaining committed to something as seemingly unlikely as world peace, and continuing to show up, all kinds of renewing and regenerating things have occurred, and led one to the next. I have safely and deeply met people of different faiths. I have seen and broken down some of my inner prejudice and distrust. I have discovered that there are many, many, many people and programs in the world who are working toward peace and that the public media tells only part of the world story. I notice I am proud to be part of a group that recognizes and acknowledges religious differences, yet persists in building relationships and praying together. This is extraordinary in our world. I have discovered an inner depth of desire for peace and healing in our world, and a growing commitment to make it real in my own little life every day.
These things have happened very slowly over a very long time and not only through the Interfaith Pray for Peace Gatherings. Even so, I can easily say that these simple gatherings have been a very, very good influence.
Thank you for asking, as I hadn’t put quite these thoughts together before.
Blessings on your work,
Heena