Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Resources & Services Commemorating 9/11

Christ Church, Danville
Forward Movement has created a webpage of resources to support prayer and reflection in the month leading up to the 10th Anniversary of 9/11. You can access them here.

Congregations across the Diocese will be commemorating this anniversary in a variety of ways. Redeemer, Midlothian, is inviting their local community and representatives of local fire, rescue and police departments and service members and veterans to participate in a special service. Emmanuel, Jenkins Bridge, will hold a Service of Remembrance and Prayer Sunday morning; and Trinity, Portsmouth, will join with other local churches for a special community commemoration service on Sunday evening. Good Samaritan, Virginia Beach, has created a Litany of Remembrance that they will use to open their worship on September 11. Christ Church, Danville, is constantly reminded of the tragic events of 9/11 - a parishioner's brother was killed that day and a stained glass window was placed in the church and dedicated to all victims of 9/11. The window, pictured here in this post, is also on our Facebook page. They will commemorate the anniversary with special prayers and music at all services on September 11.
Epiphany, Norfolk, will observe the 10th anniversary of 9/11 by tolling the church bell on the hour from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. The doors of the church will be open wide all day in invitation to any and all who seek to enter for prayer and meditation. St. Paul's, Suffolk, will gather Sunday morning to hang ribbons in the sanctuary, each representing a person who died during the attacks. The 10:30 a.m. celebration of Holy Eucharist on Sept. 11 will use liturgy, lessons, sermon and music to take a journey from remembering 10 years ago to envisioning how we would like the world to be 10 years from now; dreaming how we might work, pray and give to make it happen. St. Thomas, Chesapeake, has invited city of Chesapeake police, fire and rescue officers to participate in a special Service of Remembrance Sunday morning, Sept. 11. Chesapeake Mayor Alan Krasnoff and Police Chief K.L. Wright will be special guests as that service. St. Anne's, Appomattox, will hold an evening prayer service on September 10 at 5 p.m. focusing on peace and reconciliation. The service will be followed by a prayer vigil that will conclude with the Sunday morning worship on September 11. Christ & Grace, Petersburg, will hold a service of Remembrance, Recognition and Reconciliation on Sunday morning September 11 at 10:30. They will remember those who died and their families. They will recognize first responders in their city, and will seek great understanding and reconciliation with Muslims in their community. Representatives from police, fire and emergency services will participate in the service. A Muslim sergeant major from nearby Ft. Lee will also participate and will speak at the Adult Forum regarding Muslim/Christian relations.

Neighboring Diocese of Virginia invites those in the Richmond metro area to take part in an interfaith service on the 10th anniversary of 9/11 on Sunday, Sept. 11 at 7 p.m. at Temple Beth El, 3330 Grove Avenue The focus of the service will be Memory & Hope. Participants will include Richmond Mayor Dwight Jones, Methodist Bishop Charlene Kammerer, Rabbi Martin Beifield, Imam Ammar Amonette, and other members of the faith communities.

If your congregation is holding a special 9/11 commemoration, please tell us about it. Send your announcement to Ann Turner, aturner@diosova.org