Toronto to celebrate peace pentecost

Margaret Boyce — June 1984

TORONTO – The Christian feast of Pentecost, sometimes called the “birthday of the Church,” recalls the “gift of the Holy Spirit,” when the assembled disciples underwent a powerful experience in which they were convinced that God had visited them in a new way. They found no language adequate to describe what happened to them, but the results were indisputable: people who had been run-of-the-mill, timid and uncertain henceforth displayed extraordinary courage and assurance, power and eloquence.

Many Christians today, as well as non-Christian peace activists, covet these “gifts of the Spirit” to equip them for peace-making. As a result, the feast of the Pentecost has, for the past several years, been marked by prayers, vigils and civil disobedience actions at bomb factories, missile bases, etc., especially in the U.S. In 1983, a prayer service held illegally in the Capitol Buildings in Washington, D.C. resulted in 242 arrests.

Peace Pentecost 1984, Sunday June 10, will be observed in Toronto with a quiet service of prayer and witness against warmaking outside Litton Systems Management Office, 25 City View Drive, at 8:00 pm. Afterwards, those who wish may remain for an all-night vigil.

Though the action marks a Christian feast and is organized by a committee from several Christian groups, all peace people are welcome. Participants are encouraged to bring a candle. For more information, call xxx-xxxx or xxx-xxxx.

The Peace Calendar

Canadian Disarmament Information Service, 1983-1984

Toronto to celebrate peace pentecost