Memorializing 9/11

This September 11 will be the tenth anniversary of the worst act of foreign terrorism on United States soil.  Many denominations will hold special services in remembrance of 9/11, including Episcopal churches.  Executive Council of The Episcopal Church adopted the following resolution at its June meeting:

RESOLVED, That the Executive Council of The Episcopal Church, meeting in Linthicum Heights, Maryland, from June 15-17, 2011, invites Episcopal communities of all kinds to open the doors of their institutions the weekend of September 10 and 11, 2011 to commemorate the 10th Anniversary of the attacks with acts of prayer and remembrance, service, creativity, inter-faith cooperation, education, community building, and fellowship, offering our institutions as active, accessible sites of healing for our local communities.

(signed)
The Rev. Canon Dr. Gregory S. Straub
Secretary of the Executive Council and
The Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society
of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America

There are many Episcopal resources for crafting an effective liturgy.  A poster on the House of Bishops/Deputies Listserv noted that there is a collect and suggested readings for, "On the Anniversary of a Disaster" on p. 734 of Holy Women, Holy Men.  Another person commented on the appropriateness of the lectionary readings for the day: 

The Gospel lesson is the one about "how many times must I forgive?” Yes, I find it something more than coincidental and have no other explanation except divine mystery.  The Genesis track is Joseph forgiving his brothers.  The Exodus track is the Red Sea story, and the Epistle is Romans 14: 1-12, which includes not passing judgment on others and us belonging to God whether we live or die.  It all seems to fit!

Regarding music, another poster to the listserv reported that:

Hymns are likely to include "O day of peace that dimly shines", and "Love divine all loves excelling".  We are looking at a couple of choir anthems, including John Rutter's  "The Lord is my Shepherd" from Requiem.  Barber's "Adagio for Strings" will be in the service, probably as the prelude.

The Episcopal Café noted that many Episcopal parishes, especially in New York City and Washington, D.C. are busy planning special commemorative services on Sunday, September 11.  It would be very appropriate for parishes here in Albany, the capital of the state that was hardest hit by the effects of the attacks ten years ago, to host our own services of remembrance.  As the Episcopal Café article asks:

What will your church be doing?

Comments

[Fr. John Miller]

At Calvary Church in Cairo and Gloria Dei, Palenville, we will observe the anniversary by taking advantage of the striking appropriateness of the Proper and by using some of the hymns written by Carolyn Winfrey Gilette (http://www.carolynshymns.com) in response to the attack.

[William F. Hammond]

Does the Diocese have a Communications Director?

[Ann Gaillard]

This is what is happening at the Cathedral in Albany on September 11, thank goodness!:
CHORAL EVENSONG
September 11, 2011
2:30 pm Organ Recital
3:00 pm Choral Evensong
On the 10th anniversary of that terrible day, The Cathedral of All Saints and The Cathedral Choir of Men and Boys invite you to join us in heartfelt remembrance, the offering of prayers, the seeking of His comfort, and in faith and renewal of hope.

I'm sure the service will be lovely and meaningful. But why is it that I had to go directly to the Cathedral's website to see if they were doing anything at all, and then do a copy/paste to this blog? Why is the only information about 9/11 commemorations in this diocese being posted here on the AVM blog? Why can't I find this information on the diocesan website? Why am I not receiving this information automatically in Priests/Deacons updates?

St. Luke's will be taking part in a community-wide interfaith service commemorating 9/11 and has been instrumental in making the service happen. I am sure there are other parishes in the diocese that are likewise engaged. But we don't know about them. Why not?

[Fr. Christopher Brown]

Credit where credit is due: Excellent idea, Joe!

[Judy Duncan]

St Lukes in Saranac Lake is participating in a community ecumenical event

[Joseph M. Liotta]

St. Peter's Episcopal Cathedral's Choir, (the choir I sing with when I'm in Florida), will mark the date with a performance of The Faure Requiem on September 11th.

Here's a thought for smaller churches - Open your doors and have some of your church musicians play instrumental/reflective music throughout the day - say for 20 minutes beginning each hour. Invite other instrumentalists from the community to share their reflective music thus lighting the load on your church musicians and engaging more people in the community.

[Richard Angelo]

At St.Andrew's in Albany we will have a Service of Remembrance and Prayer on Sunday, September 11th at 7:00pm. All are invited!