All are welcome as local churches come together Friday Sept. 11 at Graves Memorial Presbyterian Church to remember 9/11 on the 25th anniversary with a communion service led by Pastor Katie Rives with other local pastors contributing.
In a phone interview, Rives shared how the idea for the service came about, describing the group of pastors, including herself, who gather on Tuesdays at noon, bring a lunch, fellowship, pray and consider how they can serve the community. During one of those recent meetings, she asked the other pastors what they thought of a 9/11 Memorial Service that would be open to anyone in the community and be a time to take part in communion, remember the lives that were lost, and remember how America came together in the time following the tragedy as well.
She said she felt that a communion service would be “uniquely communal,” with everyone “eating from the same table,” and she stressed how important it was to her that the community know anyone is welcome, and that this will be a time to unite among differences.
“9/11 changed us not only physically, but emotionally,” Rives emphasized, adding that reflecting on such a tragedy for the country can also remind us how to come together, as so many did in the aftermath of that day.
The Graves pastor stressed that open to everyone means “open to everyone even if you’re not a church goer,” and that they chose the time of 12 p.m. so that people would feel that they could come on their lunch break.
“I remember where I was. I was a school teacher. No one knew what was happening,” Rives reflected on her memories of that tragic day.
“It changed the way we experienced the world, and it gave the opportunity for hatred to grow,” the pastor stressed.
There will be 10 local pastors participating, and the ones interviewed echoed hopes of unity and fellowship among all that attend the service.
Eddie Barnes, pastor of Clinton Community Church Outreach and Connections shared in a phone interview how important he thought remembering 9/11 was, not only as a way to mourn, but also to hope, and to learn.
“We don’t know moment to moment what is going to happen, so that’s why it is important to come together and remember what’s important,” Barnes explained as to how imperative he believe such a service was to individuals and the community as a whole.
Barnes reflected on his memory of Sept. 11, 2001. “I remember where I was. I was still in high school,” he shared somberly, adding that the “effects echo still today.”
The 25th anniversary is a “great time to put aside differences like we did after it happened,” Barnes stressed, noting his belief that the the tragedy impacted everyone. “We all should come together in remembrance and hope,” he stressed.
Becky Spell, founder and director of Tim’s Gift, is eager to be a part of the memorial service as well. She shared in an interview that she knew this would be a “culminating event that would bring people from all walks of life,” and she hoped it would remind everyone in the community that though “we go to different churches, we are all a team.”
Spell emphasized how vital she feels it is for God’s children to come together across denominations to give glory to God, and also connect with one another.
The service will be at noon on Friday Sept. 11 at Graves Memorial Presbyterian Church.