BY SUSAN MCTIGUE
CORRESPONDENT
HAWORTH––In addition to thousands of peaceful protesters gathering in Boston and other large cities recently, small communities in the Northern Valley and beyond are expressing their belief in the power of love and light. On Sunday evening, Aug. 20, supporters of this message filled the lawn in front of Haworth’s First Congregational Church, United Church of Christ on Haworth Avenue. Welcomed by Rev. Lauri Craig, representatives from local houses of worship, along with Haworth Mayor John Smart, agreed unanimously to participate in a “Vigil for Peace.”
Smart spoke of the recent disturbing events in Washington following a violent march initiated by neo-Nazis and white supremacists in Charlottesville, Va. that left three people dead and at least 19 injured. He said, “We are here defining our values,” and speaking up for the common threads of humanity. A prayer offered by Rev. Bob Wolfee of Haworth’s Sacred Heart Church and reflections from Closter’s Temple Beth-El’s Rabbi David Widzer re-emphasized the need to support, respect and love each other in these challenging days.
With musical interludes and moments of silence, the program continued with Rev. “Bo” Bocock, from Cresskill’s Congregational Church, saying, “We have to stand up and be voices of kindness. We have responsibility in what we say. Don’t tell jokes at the expense of others, but be an encouraging voice.”
Rev. David Popham, a minister of the United Church of Christ, shared, “You are expressing the values that are overcoming the darkness.”
As the sun set and the light dimmed, everyone in attendance lit a candle and sang “This Little Light of Mine,” a popular folk and gospel song that eventually became a Civil Rights anthem in the 1950s and 1960s.
Rev. Craig expressed thanks for the assistance of Jane Keittel, and invited participants to text her with a phrase to complete the sentence, “I share my love with the world by…” In these times that challenge the values of America, silence is not an option.
Photo by Susan McTigue