'Take that light into the world': Interfaith group holds candlelight vigil for peace

In the shadow of a war memorial, a group of residents rallied for peace.

Wareham Faith in Action, an interfaith organization that works with Wareham Law and Democracy, gathered people at Center Park for its first peace vigil on Saturday, Oct. 10. 

Vigil goers lit candles and listened to speeches and songs that called for an end to wars overseas and ICE detentions at home.

“Peace doesn’t mean the absence of tension, but it means the presence of justice,” said Wandra Harmsen in a speech. “And when we have justice, we will have peace.”

The vigil’s message was "Light a candle. Hold a hope. Stand for peace." Wareham Faith in Action organizers gave candles to everyone in attendance and had people light each other’s candles, spreading the flame throughout the park.

“We’ll ask you to take that light into the world,” Wareham Faith in Action Co-Chair Lisa Govoni told the attendees.

Those who attended had a common goal: change. “We’re here for change,” said Maria Rowley. “Justice and equality for all.”

“Our country needs a little boost of peace,” said Candy Johansen.

The Golden Rule was a core theme of the vigil. Keith Harvey, another co-chair and a Quaker, said that many of the world’s religions include some form of the rule directing people to treat everyone fairly. He said that Wareham Faith in Action wanted to bring people of all faiths together through their common beliefs.

The organization didn’t allow political messaging at the vigil. Harvey said that the organization keeps politics out of its events in order to bring more people in.

“There’s a center that all faiths are trying to move to. Let’s move there together,” Harvey said.

Henry St. Julien, a Wareham resident and the director of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging at the Falmouth School District, talked about Anthony Burns, a slave who escaped to Boston but was arrested and returned to Virginia in 1854 under the Fugitive Slave Act. He said that 50,000 Bostonians protested the detention, shaming the officers arresting Burns.

He also said that a group of Bostonians raised thousands of dollars to buy Burns’ freedom.

St. Julien drew parallels between Burns’ story and the stories of families who have been detained and deported by ICE. 

“History … it’s a mirror,” St. Julien said. “When we look at this mirror, we see a reoccurring history … where there’s a struggle for human dignity against systems.”

He said that as a school administrator, he needs to come up with a plan to help students in case their parents are detained. He said he’s seen fear creep into his schools.

“I’m compelled by my faith,” he said. “And every day, I ensure that every child walks through our doors, feels safe, seen, valued and protected, regardless of where they’re born, what language they speak … what status they have.”

St. Julien urged the vigil goers not to let their work end after the event. He said they should continue to make their voices heard. “Chaos flourishes when good people stay silent while vulnerable [people] are targeted,” he said.

Wareham Faith in Action gave attendees ways to help, promoting a GoFundMe to support Haitian families living in the area who had their temporary protected statuses removed over the summer.

The organization will continue hosting events promoting peace. It already hosted three peace walks this summer.

Harmsen said that the organization will “aim higher” with its coming events and try to involve local government and other parts of the community.