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September 16, 2005
Interfaith Prayer Vigil
for Darfur
Wednesday, Sept. 21 at 1 p.m.
Christ Church Cathedral,
Monument Circle, Downtown Indianapolis
Hear an update on the situation in Darfur and leaders, representing
Jews, Muslims and Christian faith communities will offer prayers from
their faith traditions for the Darfurian people. Bishop Mike Coyner is
scheduled to participate. Darfurian refugees will be traveling from Fort
Wayne to attend the service. After the service, there will be a press
release and participants will be asked to deliver letters to the offices
of Senators Lugar and Bayh asking for their continued involvement in the
crisis.
Parking is available in numerous public lots located within a block
of Monument Circle. On street meter parking for up to two hours is also
available on Monument Circle and on the two streets (Meridian and
Market) intersecting the circle. Bring lots of quarters.
Dear Friends,
As we witnessed the suffering and desperation of fellow Americans
through television and newspaper coverage, many are comparing this
tragedy to those found among refugees in a third-world country. Because
of my recent study of the situation in Darfur, Sudan, I must agree. In
both situations homes and livelihoods are destroyed; people are hungry
and frightened; individuals are mourning the loss of loved ones and loss
of security; victims are dependent on others to meet basic needs.
However, I also must comment on one major difference found in the
response. Many are responding to those hurting in our country, including
countless churches, numerous businesses, aid organizations, schools,
celebrities, foreign countries, individuals, local and state
governments, and our national government and military. Many are offering
time, money and resources to help those in crisis. Unfortunately, that
is not the case in Darfur. In Sudan the government is part of the
problem, not the solution. Most nationals are unwilling or unable to
help. The people are dependent on limited international aid and
involvement.
I am not writing to redirect anyone from help or involvement in
our own country's tragedy. I am asking for us to expand our efforts to
continue helping those in Darfur who lack the media coverage that moves
people to act and who lack all of the support systems with which our
country is blessed. As we continue to see, hear and read about the pain
and suffering of those who have lost everything in Louisiana and
Mississippi, let us not forget those who currently have no hope for
rebuilding, no hope for additional security from violence and no hope
for a change in the status quo in Darfur.
If you are able, please participate in the hour-long Interfaith
Prayer Vigil for Darfur this coming Wednesday, Sept. 21 at 1 p.m. We
will be meeting at Christ Church Cathedral on Monument Circle in
downtown Indianapolis. There will be a press conference, an update of
the situation, a prayer service and a visit to the Senators' offices.
The most important action we can take for the Darfurian people is to
help create a political will for our country to remain involved.
Darfurian refugees will be traveling from Fort Wayne to participate.
This will be an opportunity for United Methodists to be a witness to the
fact that we care for all those in need, for those near and those afar,
for those whose pain we clearly see and those whose pain we are unable
to see.
In Christ,
Beth Reilly
Layperson at Aldersgate
United Methodist Church, Fort Wayne
Following the vigil, participants will be invited to walk over to
Senator Lugar's office and Senator Bayh's office to deliver a message of
concern for the people of Darfur.
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