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Hoosier United Methodist News Archives
| Hoosier United Methodist News |
October 2001 |
Indiana answers the call
Gobin UMC hosts interfaith service of healing and hope
On Sept. 11, Gobin Memorial UMC made a conscious decision to cease its normal busy weekly schedule, except for its community outreach ministries, and focus on the tragic events in New York, Washington, and Pennsylvania.
On Sunday morning, the congregation gathered for an unusual service of healing and hope. The most unusual part of the normal worship hour for the Gobin congregation was the presence of the Jewish and Muslim religious communities in Greencastle.
The service of lessons, prayers, and candle lighting was led by Daniel Nemchonok, a Greencastle High School student who read from the Hebrew Scriptures; Susan Parsons, who sang the Jewish "Prayer of Healing"; Anas Malik, a professor at DePauw University and advisor to the Muslim Student Association, who offered a reading from the Qur'an in Arabic and then English; Kirstyn Wentzel, a DePauw University student representing the Christian students of Gobin Church; and Gobin pastors Rick Miller and Clarinda Crawford.
In a brief address to the congregation as the service began, Rev. Miller said, "Our eyes could hardly watch. Our ears could hardly hear. Our minds are only beginning to understand. Our hearts still refuse to believe. If you have gathered here this morning because you think a preacher can give you answers to the questions of the past week, then you are in the wrong church this morning. . I think it is important for you to know that I struggle today along with you and, like you, I need God's blessing. If you have a need to be closer to God and other people of faith at this time, a need to pause, reflect, and pray, then you have come to the right place. That is what we are going to do today."
In welcoming the Jewish and Muslim communities, Miller said, "the Christian congregation that regularly gathers in this place celebrates the presence of our Jewish brothers and sisters; we celebrate the presence of our Muslim brothers and sisters. The whole family of Abraham is together in this place this morning."
At the conclusion of the service, Parsons and Malik carried the flame from the Vigil Candle, a candle that had been lit in Gobin's sanctuary since Tuesday, down the aisles to light individual candles. After all congregational candles had been lit, the leaders of the service gathered behind a table in front of the sanctuary and waited and watched as people came forward, said prayers, and left their burning candles in trays.
The service concluded with a blessing from each of the three religious traditions gathered. Then, joining hands, all sang "America" and an impromptu singing of the National Anthem followed. Clarinda Crawford
Airport Chaplains act within minutes
I am proud of the ministries of the Indianapolis International Airport Chaplains. Within minutes of the initial airplane crashing into World Trade Center, volunteer chaplains were at the Indianapolis International Airport (IIA). Working at the direction of IIA management, the chaplains made themselves available for counsel and assistance to travelers and employees.
By 10 a.m., arrangements were being made to hold a noontide prayer service. Over 150 people gathered to read scripture and pray in a service that was intentionally ecumenical. The chaplains have remained at the airport around-the-clock to assist with housing arrangements, counseling, and support.
This event has both similarities and differences from previous disasters involving IIA aircraft. The prior events included a lot of confusion about the origin and destination of the downed aircraft, names of passengers, and the general circumstances involved. On Tuesday (Sept. 11), the tragedies were unfolding instantaneously with victims, their families, their friends and neighbors. Rev. David Mark Owens
Pastor offers inspiration to community
The Rev. John Long of Gaston UMC had a message placed upon his heart on the morning of Sept. 13. At 3 a.m. on the morning of Sept. 16, Rev. Long carried a cross, which he constructed of 2 X 4's, 20 miles from his residence to Gaston UMC.
Prior to Long's journey, word had spread throughout the Gaston community. So much so, the local police and fire departments granted the pastor an escort the last four miles of his trip. "I wanted to do something myself," said Long. "It (the journey) was designed to get the community involved. Results were just incredible!"
With the American flag waving proudly atop the cross, Rev. Long entered his community to find that more than 150 people had gathered on the front lawn of Gaston UMC. Long led the ecumenical crowd in worship at 9 a.m. on the lawn. Police and fire helmets hung from either side of the cross in remembrance of those lost. According to Long, the morning's events "Created a spiritual realm in the church we hadn't felt in years." Matthew Carlisle
Church leaders gather in prayer
On the day of one of this nation's greatest tragedies, Sept. 11, an ecumenical prayer service organized by the Church Federation of Greater Indianapolis was held at the Ind. Interchurch Center courtyard. Bishop Woodie W. White gathered with leaders from other Christian denominations and the Jewish church to pray for those who were lost and their families. More than 50 people circled the courtyard.
Speaking to a crowd still in shock from the morning's tragedy, Bishop White shared these words; "We come to you, God, with our pain, anguish and questions. Surround each of our leaders with your love, give them courage, wisdom and patience. We remember leaders, pastors, rabies, priests, give them your shepherding genius." Matthew Carlisle
'God's asking us'
"The reason this hurts so much is that it could've been any of us. That's why we're bound together - even those who don't believe in God, called on God (during the crisis). It was and is a time we all need God...Some ask why does God allow terrible things to happen? .. I think God is asking us!" Rev. Kent Millard, pastor of Indianapolis St. Luke's UMC during Sept. 16 Sunday sermon.
Proclaiming God's goodness
"We feel really lost. But we are not lost, we are found. We feel impotent to help in New York and Washington, but our job is to pray. Yesterday (Sept. 16, Sunday worship) we were proclaimers of God's goodness and grace in the midst of all this. At the end of the service every person held hands as we sang "Shalom to You." Among us were about 20 members of a Muslim congregation whom we'd invited to worship with us. That was just overwhelming. We're in contact with the Imam to ask how we can continue this, so this (fellowship) doesn't get lost." Cindy Alte, senior pastor of Roberts Park UMC, Indianapolis.
Statement by Bishop Woodie W. White on the terrorist action of Sept. 11
"No statement, no words can begin to express our collective grief today as a community of faith, as members of the world community. To say that we grieve with those injured and the thousands who have suffered losses is too small a gesture in the face of such incalculable pain. Today's monstrous acts of terrorism wound us all.
Our faith teaches us, however, that nothing can separate us from the love of God. It is to God whom we appeal now - for strength, for wisdom and for the courage to love, even those who have brought so much harm. We pray and continue to pray for personal healing where it is so badly needed, but also for the healing of the world community of which we are all a part."
Last updated on 01/14/2004