Prayer Gathering

Once a year WIFA observes the Week of Prayer for World Peace, an international event which takes place on the second to third Sundays in October. People from all faiths and none come together to offer thoughts and prayers for peace in our world. The WPWP gatherings were held first at the Friends Meeting House and later at the Watford Peace Garden. During the pandemic, WIFA held regular prayer meetings online before its interfaith discussions. In the last few years WIFA organized various vigils to support victims of terrorist attacks or natural disasters around the world. Representatives of different faiths and Watford residents come together in the Peace Garden to offer prayers and sympathy to those afflicted. There were vigils for the terrorist attacks in Paris, Christchurch, (New Zealand) and Sri Lanka, the war in Ukraine and for the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria just to name a few.

"Peace Gathering in the Garden" every third Sunday of the month. All are welcome to meet in the Watford Peace Garden at the Peace Arch at 4pm for reflection and prayers.

Week of Prayer for World Peace 2024.

On Sunday 20 October, people came to the Peace Garden for the first part of the annual gathering for the Week of Prayer for World Peace. The rain just stopped at about 2.00pm so a little drying had taken place. Several people came bearing gifts of bulbs for the garden and work started straight away to plant them...next spring will be rather glorious, I think! The swathes of daffodils have been added to and grape hyacinths, snowdrops and tulips have been planted, plus small plants went into the new raised bed.

At 4.00pm the sun obligingly came out as about 15 people gathered on the labyrinth to offer thoughts and prayers of peace and love. Pastor Geert Tap again facilitated the gathering, citing a time when he and his daughter were caught in a storm and found great peace after the storm abated, which often reflects life. After a profound silence many spoke, sang and prayed for peace from their own backgrounds. Pr Geert produced some cut out paper doves and hearts made from seeded paper to reflect peace. Many were hung on the trees and Peace Arch and some were taken home. When they fall, the seeds may grow in remembrance of how important it is to be at peace.

The second gathering, on 23rd October was just for planting. Many bulbs were donated and we were honoured with a visit from three hospital chaplains, Revds Christian, Adolphe and Joy. They planted several bulbs in the new raised beds and on the peace dove. The circular bench was mended as well as the usual raking of leaves, weeding and tidying that happens at this time of year.

Many thanks to those who came along, donated plants and helped with making the garden so lovely.

Peace Gathering in the Garden
Sunday 18th August 2024.

On Sunday 18th of August, we had an inspiring and uplifting gathering in the Peace Garden on our second ‘Peace gathering in the Peace Garden’. We all met in the labyrinth under the umbrella of a majestic chestnut tree. Rev Geert Tap Watford Town Centre Chaplain guided the meeting inviting speakers from 6 different faith communities to share their reflections and prayers. Representatives from two branches of Christianity, Baha'i, Jain, Muslim and Hindu spoke in a similar manner on the theme that ‘Peace begins with me’. If I am not in peace with myself, I will not be able to convey peace in my relationships with others and this will affect all our relationships in our society and in our world. The police as well as the Watford Elected Mayor Peter Taylor were in attendance. Sgt Bradley Cross spoke about those few disturbing weeks and mentioned that here in Hertfordshire we were blessed with no major incident compared to other parts of the country. Mayor Peter Taylor spoke about the importance of peace and calm in our community and turn our attention to all the conflicts and wars going on in many parts of the world. The Chaplain then led us in a moment of reflective silence and concluded by singing a prayer of blessing for all those who attended. We then spent time together enjoying each other company and some delicious samozas. We are now preparing for our next ‘Peace gathering in the Garden’ on Sunday September 15th.

Peace Gathering in the Garden
Sunday 21st July 2024.

WIFA's first monthly Gathering for Peace event in the Peace Garden on Sunday went very well, with quite a large attendance on a very pleasant afternoon in Cassiobury Park. It was requested by Mayor Peter Taylor on behalf of several people who asked for such regular gatherings. Town Centre Chaplain Geert Tap, now a member of the WIFA executive, took the lead on this occasion. We proceeded round to the Peace Garden pond where he threw in a stone, which ensure ripples across the water, to show how negativity can spread. In our monthly prayer / discussion meeting last night, we also showed how positivity can spread in ripples if we spread peaceful thoughts and prayers.

We then returned to the labyrinth, and interspersed with moments of silent reflection and warm greetings, we joined in building a cairn which represented our positive thoughts which can guide ourselves and others as cairns do to guide travellers on mountain tracks. We then tied golden ribbons onto the trees which represented the Buddhist prayer flags which send prayers out everywhere in the wind.

The next gathering will be on 18th August. All are welcome.

Judith