On a recent night, nearly 20 people assembled on the front lawn of a church in downtown Oak Park. The faces change from week to week–this group included three young girls, a Dominican nun, a telecommunications business owner, a computer consultant, a substance-abuse counselor and a high school English teacher–but the cause is the same.
Peace.
They’ve been there every Friday night for 27 months, praying, singing and reciting poetry as cars and pedestrians whiz by on well-traveled Lake Street.
The roots of this activism can be traced to Pasadena, Calif., where, when the first gulf war began in 1991, Amy Abbott Pappageorge could not suppress an overwhelming urge to make a public statement urging peace. So she brought her two daughters, 5-year-old Eleni and 4-year-old Anastasia, along with her for a half-dozen prayer vigils.
Fast-forward a decade, to the U.S. bombing of Afghanistan a month after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on American soil. By then, Pappageorge and husband Demetrios were living in Oak Park and had a third daughter, Sophia, now 10.
Again, Pappageorge was moved to make a peaceful proclamation. She received permission from leaders at her church, First United Church of Oak Park, to begin holding one-hour peace vigils starting at 7 p.m. every Friday.
She often is joined by one or more of her daughters, as well as up to a dozen or more like-minded individuals.
Some groups focus outward on public peace vigils; others look within and examine their own struggle for inner tranquility. What distinguishes this movement is its pursuit on both fronts: Many of those clamoring for peace on Friday night return to a church meeting room the following morning for a meeting of Innerpeace Worldpeace. The group advocates for non-violence through spiritual disciplines, group meetings, education and activism.
“We all have violence in us or the potential for it,” said Bud Hayes, a longtime substance-abuse counselor from Oak Park and a vigil leader who regularly attends the Saturday sessions.
A week ago, a number of passersby joined the group in spirit. There were sporadic car honks and waves from motorists, including a Pace bus driver. But the greetings are not always so friendly. Some shout nasty comments or display a one-finger salute.
Either way, those gathered know this much: They are getting out their message of non-violence. And their primary audience, Pappageorge said, is themselves.
“What are we doing individually to sow the seeds of peace?” she said.
After an opening period of silent prayer, the vigil format is open-ended. Individuals can share prayers, poems, songs, or read stories related to issues of peace and violence that they find relevant.
Strategically stationed next to a traffic signal, they have a steady stream of captive audience members who can see signs such as “War is Expensive. Peace is Priceless” and “God bless the whole world. No exceptions.”
The group is inspired by the teachings of Jesus Christ, Gandhi and Buddha, all of whom taught about the power of an individual to make change. Pappageorge quotes liberally from these and other historical figures, and if anyone is ever at a loss for words, she offers a literal grab bag filled with index cards of inspirational quotations that she has compiled from a variety of sources.
“Amy is a really good driving force,” said Dick Glennie of Oak Park, a vigil participant last week whose telecommunications company had kept him busy and away from the vigils since the fall. “We’re lucky to have her in our midst.”
Composed mostly of Oak Parkers, including some who attend First United, the vigil is open to anyone. Some come occasionally from neighboring communities such as Chicago, Berwyn or Brookfield.
Hayes is a mainstay and his poetry is included in a newsletter that the group shares with passersby and others interested in learning about the group. Like some other vigil participants, Hayes has experience protesting U.S. military involvement in Vietnam.
“We are taking ourselves to the street,” he said. “I like the symbolism there. People need to actively speak for non-violence.”
Jeff Olson, a computer consultant from Oak Park, began coming to the vigil about a year ago when it became apparent that the U.S. would invade Iraq. He comes about twice a month and said the experience helps nurture his respect for others and himself, and provides him with a “personal anchor.”
“It doesn’t fit everybody’s personality, and that’s OK,” Olson said. “It’s really a fun thing.”
Quick to stress that the group does not want to be perceived merely as some “airy fairy” do-gooder contingent, Pappageorge said her dream is to create a model for others in the non-violence movement to stage vigils in their communities. Meanwhile, she is exhilarated at the bonds that have formed.
“We are knitting community with dedicated folks who are determined to see peace on Earth,” Pappageorge said.
