The Rev. Susan Bonsteel (Deacon at Christ the King Episcopal Church in Kingston, NY and Co-convener of EPF's Death Penalty Action Group: Reflections on Being a Witness

In what ways are we a witness to our faith? It's a question that I think many of us ask ourselves. In this time of war, how do we choose to live out our belief in the teachings of the Prince of Peace? For over 3000 Christians, it meant traveling to our nation's capital on March 16th and 17th and participating in a Peace Witness for Iraq. As one of the speakers at the ecumenical service at the National Cathedral said, "We've come to lay before God the sorrow that lives in each of us because of the war." Christian peace activists from 48 states worshipped together and then walked side-by- side in a 4 mile candlelit procession to the White House, finally gathering in Lafayette Park for a peace vigil. It was there that over 200 people participated in civil disobedience, choosing to be arrested as a symbol of their opposition to the war in Iraq. Those who elected not to participate in this action stood in silent prayer around them as the names of the dead American troops and Iraqi civilians were read late into the night.

Being with so many good and faithful people, including 34 parishioners and friends of Christ The King, was truly a gift of God's grace. I know that each one of us has been somehow changed, although I imagine most of us do not yet understand how. It will take time to process all that we experienced. It will take time to figure out what we are called to do next. But at this moment, all that any of us can do is pray that God's mercy and love will continue to encourage and strengthen us as we continue on this journey that we have begun.

                                                                                                Deacon Susan