On Good Friday this past week (April 9), over 30 people gathered between noon and 3PM for an alternative nonviolent worship service in Concord, New Hampshire.  

Three years ago while in prayer, LR Berger, Pace e Bene New England Associate, found herself hearing a call to offer worship for Good Friday in NH that raised up the Gospel of Nonviolence.  After calling several friends and pastors, Rev. Patricia Dubois offered her support and her church, East Congregational United Church of Christ, as sanctuary. 

The first year 9 people came.  The second year there were 19.  This year the NH UCC Conference and Peace with Justice Task force cosponsored the gathering, and there were many more participants.

The service is an offering of adapted 14 Stations of the Cross reflections read by congregants, followed by time for silence and then sharing from that silence.

This year’s altar, “Faces of God,” included fourteen images of those who “spent their lives” in nonviolent witness, including, Cesar Chavez, Martin Luther King, Jr., Edith Stein, Dorothy Day, Rachel Corrie, Tom Fox and others.

Rev. Frank Irvine, a Pace e Bene trained facilitator, has been a faithful member of the planning committee during the last two years.  Many who come to the service are seeking new forms of worship that reflect their growing commitment to the practice of Christian nonviolence.  All are welcome to help plan next year’s
gathering.