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Interfaith Prayer Service Planned to Commemorate 9/11 Anniversary

A community-initiated Interfaith Prayer Service, scheduled to coincide with the anniversary of the tragic attacks in New York, Pennsylvania and Virginia, is to be held on Wednesday, September 11, 2002, at 7:30 p.m. at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, 3304 N. Washington Boulevard, Arlington, Virginia. The event is free and open to the public. (Note: A free will offering is to benefit a September 11 charity to assist individuals and businesses in Arlington displaced by the closing of Reagan National Airport in the aftermath of the attacks).

In reflecting on the importance of the upcoming one-year anniversary, lay members of thirteen local faith communities came together and developed the idea for an evening of reflection and prayer as a commemoration.

The event theme is "Darkness to Light: An Interfaith Prayer Service of Peace and Hope," and the mission is to implore God for the strength, wisdom and courage to live together in peace and mutual support as communities, religious faiths and nations.

The prayer service brings together 14 clergy members representing the Baha'i, Episcopal, Islamic, Jewish, Lutheran, Methodist, Presbyterian, Roman Catholic, Unitarian and United Church of Christ traditions. Speakers include: Imam Johari Abdul-Malik, Muslim Chaplain at Howard University and Community Outreach Director of the Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center in Falls Church, Rabbi Lia Bass, Spiritual Leader of the Arlington-Fairfax Jewish Congregation and Rev. Gerard Creedon, Pastor of St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, Chairman of the Peace and Justice Commission of the Catholic Diocese of Arlington and Chairman of the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy.

In addition, the Clara Muhammad School Choir, the St. Charles Parish Latin American Community Folk Group and Voices of Hope, a combined interfaith adult choir, are scheduled to perform.

A reception with light refreshments follows the prayer service.

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St. Charles Borromeo Church is two blocks from the Clarendon station on Metro's Orange Line.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Dennis Warner, Planning Committee Chairman
Telephone/Fax: 703.532.4571
Email: interfaith@stcharleschurch.org

 
Revised/reviewed August 21, 2002

Related item: Fr. Gerry Creedon's invocation before the US House of Representatives on September 11, 2001.