This past week I sent a letter to the local newspapers (High Point, Jamestown, and Greensboro) to be printed in their Letter to the Editor section. This letter explains to readers and motorists what the white ribbons on our trees represent. Below is the letter in full.
White Ribbons for Peace
Over the last couple of years persons driving through the intersection of Penny Road and Wendover Avenue in High Point may have noticed the presence of a multitude of white ribbons on the trees and bushes in the front yard of Deep River Friends Meeting (Quaker). Many have asked us about the purpose of those white ribbons.
The white ribbons represent for us a witness to peace. We began by putting up a ribbon for each person that had been killed in the war in Iraq. The ribbon serves both as a way to honor the life that has been lost as well as reminder that we long and pray for peace to prevail. We are in the process of putting up more ribbons and our focus is now on the present war in Afghanistan. As before, the ribbons will serve to honor those that have given their life in service of their country as well as be a reminder that peace is God’s ultimate dream for creation – and our hope as well.
As a Quaker meeting we feel God has called us to witness to peace and at the same time supporting those who find themselves on the front lines of these wars. Quakers have historically maintained a peace testimony and we humbly seek to live that out as best we can. We are aware of the reality of armed conflict but long for a day when “…nations will never again go to war, never prepare for battle again.” (Micah 4:3 TEV) Until that time we continue to pray for those who have been deployed as well as their families and we pray for peace to prevail in our community, our nation, and our world.
Deep River Monthly Meeting of Friends (Quaker
As I finished this letter, my ultimate prayer is that peace will not just be something we talk about - or write about- but something we practice on a daily basis.
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