Boston churches honor September 11 anniversary

Sentinel staff

On Sunday morning, September 11, Boston marked the tenth anniversary of the “9/11” attacks with an interfaith, multi-congregation service in Copley Square, arranged by the senior clergy and musicians of the Back Bay churches.

More than a thousand people, standing in flawless sunshine, were swept into the spirit of the occasion by the opening hymn, “God of Our People,” which includes the lines, “Your love and faith within our hearts increase; /With bounteous goodness nourish us in peace.” The hearty singing was followed by the 23rd Psalm, spoken in unison, and by readings of nine versions of the Golden Rule.

Nancy Taylor, senior minister at nearby Old South Church, told the Sentinel that the local churches had felt the need to come together. This was not just another Sunday. It had to be different. “Our grief transcended our individual faiths,” she said, “and I was deeply moved by the music, the prayers, and the children’s blessings. Together we moved from grief to hope as we committed ourselves to making the world a better, safer place.”

Marta Greenwood, President of The First Church of Christ, Scientist, who participated along with representatives from 12 other churches, said: “What was so special was the way we were able to reach out together to provide comfort that would bless the day.” She said she couldn’t help thinking of Jesus’ “new” commandment that we love one another as he loved us (see John 13:34). And this was in her mind as she stood on the steps of Trinity Church to speak one of the prayers for peace: “Divine Spirit, we give thanks to You that we live in a land built on foundations we may call our own, pledged to law and freedom, to equality and harmony, as our hearts overflow with the countless blessings of our daily lives. We are Your people, O God.”

The service ended with a choral blessing that was not just a prayer but a challenge to everyone present to “let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me.”

—Sentinel staff

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