Candles light up the sidewalk outside Walker Chapel UMC on Glebe Road Monday night. The signs held by participants in the Prayer Vigil urge cars driving by to VOTE, and the common theme is peace. The event was organized through the Arlington Interfaith Council and hosted by Walker Chapel United Methodist Church. The denominations present call out: Jewish, Catholic, Unitarian, Methodist, Christian Scientist, UCC.

Rev. Teer Hardy, the pastor of Walker Chapel, says the prayer vigil is meant to be a source of hope for the community. “When people ask what we’re supposed to do in times of strife, in the church we pray. That’s our specialty.” He tells the crowd, “This is a moment for us to take a break, refresh ourselves from what is happening in the world.”

Hardy says, “Over the next 24-48-72 hours stop for a moment and pray one and a half times more often than you check your social media to see the results of the election.”

Rev. Laura Martin, Associate Pastor at Rock Spring UCC and recognized Arlington poet says she always marks occasions like this with a poem. “The world is too often charged by fear and will disappoint you again and again. Know this and go on anyway refusing to concede the good and the possible.”

Standing in the crowd Charles Lundy, a member of Mt. Olivet Church, says he has been looking for something uplifting and, “I see tonight’s event as very appealing ahead of the election which has been very stressful.” 

Sara Keeling and Cheryl Moore stand at the bottom of the church steps with candles in hand. Keeling says she is there to pray for peace. Moore says it has been very stressful with the divisiveness and lack of peace casting stress to the universe. “I feel like as a Christian I need to be strong.”

Robin Groom, Audrey Ward and Dawn Kyser, three older participants in the vigil, choose to sit outside the church on a bench with their candles. All have come to pray for peace for our country … and the world. 

Karin Croft, holding her homemade sign, says she has come to urge people to vote. “I really care about democracy.”

An 11-year-old has come with his younger sister and mom. He says he is praying that nothing bad happens. “Nothing bad means that Trump not be elected.”

Fatima Argun says she is there representing the Arlington Democrat’s Interfaith Outreach and Advocacy Caucus. “I try to bring the interfaith community together on projects that benefit everybody. Religion can be detrimental or bring people together to create great chances for peace and solidarity before the election. We’ve been rattled by what’s going on, and it can provide a sense of peace and comfort.”

The group proceeds down the steps to the street one by one holding candles and homemade signs urging peace and unity.