Join us for Pause For Peace Day say Chichester Quakers

Quakers are inviting the people of Chichester to join them for a special Pause For Peace Day.

Amid conflict across the world, particularly in Gaza, Ukraine and Sudan, Chichester Quakers are aiming to cease normal activities for a day to remember those dying and suffering in war.

The Pause for Peace Day is to be held on Sunday October 4 and all are welcome to join some or all of the day. 

Quakers have had anti-war declarations at the heart of their faith for 350 years and combine silent prayer, reflection or meditation with activism for peace in many conflict zones.

On October 4 the Pause for Peace Day will include:-

• 12.30pm A short silent vigil outside the Assembly Room, North Street, to think of those caught up in war.

• 1pm A walk along North Street towards the house of on of one of first Chichester Quakers, Margery Wilkinson for a talk on her remarkable life

• 2pm Refreshments followed by a discussion at Friends Meeting House about the Quaker Peace Testimony and the meaning of Quaker silence. 

• 3pm to 4pm An invitation to join us for a global live link up with Quakers all over the world for a global prayer for peace.

Cheryll Pitt of Chichester Quakers said, ‘There is so much anxiety about our world today and particularly the wars that seem never to end, costing the lives of hundreds of thousands of innocent people.

‘We all have busy lives but now and again it is no bad thing to stop and contemplate, to pray, meditate or just pause for peace. 

Sometimes we can feel powerless about war but coming together in silence and observation is a strength. It says we do not accept the inevitability of death and destruction through war.

‘We welcome everyone to all or part of Pause for Peace Day, anyone, with faith or not, who would like to join with others to reflect and send a peaceful message of no to wars’

Quakers were founded in the 17th Century and as early as 1660 issued an anti-war declaration

‘All bloody principles and practices we do utterly deny, with all outward wars, and strife, and fightings with outward weapons, for any end, or under any pretence whatsoever’

While Quakers use silence to make room for what matters and hold their Meeting for Worship largely without words they are also involved in practical efforts to promote peace around the world.

For instance Quakers are currently leading an effort to monitor human rights abuses in the West Bank, Palestine.

For more information see www.chichesterquakers.org.uk