Toronto fasts and prays for Jim Loney

The following are prayer vigils organized so far for former Saultite Jim Loney and three members of a Christian Peacemaker Team facing execution this coming Thursday by Iraqi militants who've kidnapped them.

The image accompanying this story shows James Loney in downtown Baghdad prior to his abduction, advocating for detainees.

Father George LaPierre from St. Gerard Majella Church at 211 Pentagon Boulevard in Sault Ste. Marie advises SooToday.com that a special time of prayer for James Loney and his three fellow abductees will be held Tuesday December 6, from 7 - 8:15 p.m. The service will begin with a mass at 7 p.m., followed at 7:30 p.m. by a time of quiet prayer and reflection for about 45 minutes.

If your church or organization is planning any kind of special observance for James Loney, you are encouraged to contact our newsroom at 941-0664 or [email protected] so we can pass the word along.

Toronto Area

Every morning, 8 a.m.- 8:30 a.m., a public fast and vigil. Mennonite Church at 1774 Queen East between Coxwell and Woodbine. Please dress warmly. For info, call Leonard Desroches at 416-462-2781.

Saturday, December 3 - 5 to p.m., followed by open soup and supper Catholic Worker Community Prayer Vigil for Jim Loney and CPTers in Iraq Vigil location: 7 Close Avenue Supper location: 5 Close Avenue Contact: Rob Shearer, Toronto Catholic Worker, phone: 416-516-8198;

Sunday December 4, 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Baptist Peace Fellowship of NA Douglas and Lee McKenna duCharme's home 1706 Gerrard Street East Toronto, Ontario M4L 2B2 Contact: 416-466-1630

Illinois

Sunday December 4, 6:30 - 8 p.m. East Bend Mennonite Church 702 County Rd. 3300 N. Fisher, IL 61843 Contact: Michael & Char Smith 217-784-4061 email Bring prayers, meditations and an openness to the Holy Spirit. We hold Peace Prayer Vigils each month, on the first Sunday evening, September through June. Our focus this Sunday will be the 4 CPTers and all who are caught up in this war.

Saturday, Dec. 3, 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. outside CPT Office 16th & California, Chicago Contact: Dave Martin 847-662-6151

Sunday, Dec. 4, 6 - 6:30 p.m. Fourth Street United Methodist Church 551 South Fourth Street, Aurora, IL Contact: Rev. Sam Smith 630-240-5039 email We pray for PEACE every Sunday, 6 - 6:30 p.m., at our Peace Pole. This is an outdoor event. Please dress appropriately and don't forget to bring your candles. We will not be meeting DEC 11th in lieu of our Live Nativity nor will we meet Christmas or New Year's Day.

Sunday, Dec. 4, 7 - 8 p.m. Reba Place Church 620 Madison in Evanston, Illinois. Contact: Ric Hudgens 847-475-1670 email Door will open at 6:30 p.m. The formal service will last for approximately one hour until 8 p.m. The building will remain open until 9 p.m. for those who want to remain in prayer after the service ends.

Tuesday, Dec. 6th, 8 - 9 a.m. 8th Day Center for Justice Chicago Federal Building Jackson and Dearborn Chicago, IL Contact: Bob Bossie 312-641-5151 We have held a silent, prayer vigil at this location since Sept. 18, 2001. This week's Tuesday morning Peace Presence at the Federal Bldg will be dedicated to the CPT-ers held hostage in Iraq. Participate with silent presence holding a peace sign, distribute leaflets dedicated to the CPT-ers. A short interfaith prayer will conclude the hour. Bring signs with the messages mentioned above.

Wednesday, December 7, 7-8 p.m. Community Mennonite Church, Sanctuary 16200 S. Kedzie Avenue Markham, IL 60428 contact: Chuck & Bonnie Neufeld 708-333-1358 email

Thursday, December 8, 7 p.m. St. John's United Church of Christ 1520 N. McAree Rd. Waukegan, IL 60085 Contact: Dave Martin 847-662-6151

Indiana

Monday December 5, 7 - 8 p.m. First Mennonite Church 4601 Knollton Road Indianapolis, IN 46228 Contact: JoAnne Lingle 317-545-1305

Iowa

Sunday December 4, 11 a.m. First Mennonite Church 405 Myrtle Ave. Iowa City, IA 52246 Contact: Sarah MacDonald 351-0995

Kansas

Sunday December 4, 10:45 - 11:45 a.m. Lorraine Avenue Mennonite Church 655 S. Lorraine Wichita, KS 67211 Contact: Lois Harder 316-682-4555

Sunday December 4, 4:30 - 7:15 p.m. Peace Connections 612 N. Main Newton, KS 67114 Contact: Deb Bergen 316-283-0369 15 minute times each of singing, scripture, sharing news, and prayer, starting on the half hour. Not a public demonstration. People can come and go as it suits.

Maryland

Tuesday December 6, 7:30 - 8:30 p.m. Hyattsville Mennonite Church 4217 East-West Highway Hyattsville, Maryland 20737 Contact: Joe Roos 301-927-7365 All are welcome to an indoor candlelit time of prayer, scripture reading and song for the four brothers held captive.

Massachusetts

Saturday, December 3, 12 p.m. Downtown Ware, Mass. phone: 413-967-9369

Ohio

Home of Susan Hunsberger and Trevor Bechtel 124 W. Kibler, Buffton OH 45817 phone: 419-369-4077

Sunday, December 4, 3 - 5 p.m. CPT, Dayton Peace Museum, Baptist Peace Fellowship First Baptist Church 111 West Monument Ave. Dayton, Ohio 45402 Contact: Dr. Gary Percesepe 937-215-6172 Bring candles, songbooks, signs

Wednesday, December 7, 4 p.m. until 4 p.m. on the 8th CPT - Cleveland Lee Heights Community Church 4612 Lee Road Cleveland, Ohio 44128 Contact: Wanda J. Ngolo 216-581-2448 This is a 24-hour sit-in prayer vigil. We will be here all night and all day long. Bring candles, songs,stories, prayers, food.

Pennsylvania

Monday, December 5, 7:30 p.m. Salford Mennonite Church 480 Groff's Mill Rd. Harleysville, PA Contact: Mary Jane Hershey 610-287-8888 Prayers will be offered for the safe release of the four members of the Christian Peacemaker Team currently held in Baghdad. Fervent prayers will also be offered for the early end of this conflict and for the safety of all in danger in Iraq. Please join us.

West Virginia

Sunday December 4, 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. West Virginia Peace McMurran Hall Wall downtown corner of King & German Street Shepherdstown, West Virginia 25442 Contact: Margaret Bryant 304-876-1176 http://www.wvpeace.org There will be time to share if you feel moved to do so. Please dress warmly.

Canada

Wednesday December 7, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. Grace Mennonite Church sanctuary 677 Niagara St., St. Catharines, ON L2M2H9 contact: Doug Amstutz 905-935-6112 In addition, there is a Soup Supper just prior to the prayer service at 5:30 p.m. in Grace's gym/auditorium. You are most welcome to join us for food and fellowship, after which will follow the prayer service.

Tuesday December 6, 7 - 8:15 p.m. Father George LaPierre from St. Gerard Majella Church at 211 Pentagon Boulevard in Sault Ste. Marie advises SooToday.com that a special time of prayer for James Loney and his three fellow abductees. The service will begin with a mass at 7 p.m., followed at 7:30 p.m. by a time of quiet prayer and reflection for about 45 minutes.