National Council of Churches USA, NY
March 29 2005

Special NCC Report on Faith Communions’ Resources
For Observing the September 11 Anniversary

Faith groups and their congregations across the United States will be
observing the first anniversary of the September 11 terrorist
incidents in a variety of ways. This brief survey samples some of
the plans of the 36 member communions of the National Council of
Churches, plus non-member denominations that participate in various
activities of the Council. Where available, links to more details
are shown.

You will also want to see “Eleven Days in September,” a web
collection prepared by The Shalom Center, where an extensive survey
of interfaith observances has been collected, in partnership with the
NCC.

American Baptist Churches
The ABC-USA website features many of the denomination’s terrorism
responses and resources, including the Relief Fund for Victims of
Terrorist Attack . . . Shalom Response at National Ministries Online
. . . Song “United We Stand” . . . Resources for discipling children
at Educational Ministries . . . Litany by Garth House . . . Judson
Press publications . . .Caring statements from around the world . . .
and a link to the Pastoral resources Web site developed through NCC
and its partners.

Armenian Church of America
and Oriental Orthodox Churches
The Church Remembers the Victims and Survivors of September 11 with a
special Memorial Service on Sunday, September 8 in New York City.
The service begins at Ground Zero at 3:00 pm and continues with a
requiem service at St. Vartan Cathedral. A reception follows in the
Kavookjian Auditorium. For more information, contact
info@armeniandiocese.org. This memorial service is sponsored by the
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern) and the Oriental
Orthodox Churches. Clergy of many of the Oriental Orthodox Churches
will be participating. All Faiths are welcome.

Christian Church-Disciples of Christ
The Disciples website carries a special section that suggests a daily
response to commemorate the terrorist events: “In soup kitchens, In
neighborhood centers, In schools, shelters and hospitals.With service
groups that can tell us what needs to be done, right now. AND with
our brothers and sisters of all shades, faiths, and cultures working
beside us. God is calling us to Ground Zero…and it’s right here, in
our own community.”

Episcopal Church
Presiding Bishop The Most Reverend Frank T. Griswold has written his
monthly column with a focus on the commemoration of the September 11
events, and the following prayer that could be used in observances of
the anniversary: “God the compassionate one, whose loving care
extends to all the world, we remember this day your children of many
nations and many faiths whose lives were cut short by the fierce
flames of anger and hatred. Console those who continue to suffer and
grieve, and give them comfort and hope as they look to the future.
Out of what we have endured, give us the grace to examine our
relationships with those who perceive us as the enemy, and show our
leaders the way to use our power to serve the good of all for the
healing of the nations. This we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord
who, in reconciling love, was lifted up from the earth that he might
draw all things to himself. Amen.”

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
In a special web section, the ELCA provides its congregations with
resources in worship, prayer and action, highlighting printed and
spoken resources through The Lutheran magazine and Lutheran Vespers.
A litany and a photo album are among the materials on the website. A
Joint ELCA and Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod Declaration of
September 8 as a day of commemoration is also included.

Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
“In Memory, In Faith, In Hope -The Church’s Response to Tragedy” is
the theme of a web-based summary of the Greek Orthodox connections to
the September 11 events and their aftermath, including the rebuilding
plans for the only church destroyed in the attacks — St. Nicholas
Greek Orthodox Church, which was located opposite the World Trade
Center.

Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod
The LCMS website carries a lengthy index of worship resources for
commemorating the 9/11 anniversary, including hymns, choral settings,
scripture references, responsive readings and other instrumental
arrangements suitable for downloading. The LCMS has long been a
participant in the NCC Communication Commission.

Mennonite Church USA
The church’s website offers extensive material on observing the
anniversary of 9/11/01. In addition, the Mennonite Central Committee
website carries additional resources for Mennonite and Brethren in
Christ congregations in both the U.S. and Canada. The Mennonite
Church is an active partner in the work of the NCC Communication
Commission.

Philadelphia Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends
A summary of statements and actions from the tragedy, plus resources
for “those laboring with issues of our peace process” are offered on
the PYM website.

Presbyterian Church (USA)
The Presbyterian Church’s website offers numerous resources,
including the outline of a service of prayer and remembrance and a
message from the moderator, The Rev. Dr. Fahed Abu-Akel . . . a forum
on PresbyNet for discussing issues in the aftermath of terrorism and
another for sharing worship aids . . . an extensive initiative in
peacemaking — the Interfaith Listening Project . . .and an extensive
array of suggestions for commemorating the anniversary from the
editors of Ideas! For Church Leaders magazine.

Reformed Church in America
The RCA website offers many helps for commemorating the tragic day of
terrorism, including an Order of Worship . . . a litany of
remembrance, healing, and hope, and a litany for the church. . . and
suggestions for age-graded studies on topics such as death, violence,
tolerance . . . a primer on Islam . . and an online forum for
discussing the issues surrounding the events.

Serbian Orthodox Church in the USA and Canada
The church’s website has an extensive index of resources for
commemorating the first anniversary of the September 11 events,
including statements by church officials, a background paper on
terrorism, a prayer for peace, and other articles of interest.

Seventh Day Adventist Church
This partner in the work of the NCC’s Communication Commission is
featuring a complete index to its responses to 9/11 on its website.
Included are reproductions of the church’s advertisements in the New
York Times and Washington Post.

Syrian Orthodox Church of Antioch
A summary of activities in the aftermath of the tragedies, mostly
from fall 2001, is carried on the church’s website.

Ukranian Orthodox Church of the USA
The Council of Bishops’ statement on the anniversary of the September
11 events is carried on the church’s website.

United Church of Christ
The focus of the UCC’s website resources for the terrorism
anniversary is on worship, with suggestions for liturgy, Bible study
and music. You may also want to use the website’s “search” function
to locate many other resources — simply type the word terrorism in
the search box and hit enter; a recent such search yielded 84 items
of interest.

United Methodist Church
The largest of the NCC’s member denominations is co-sponsoring with
the Council an electronic billboard at the entrance to New York’s
Holland Tunnel bearing words of hope and encouragement to commuters
headed to lower Manhattan during the month of September . . . the UMC
website carries an extensive series of articles focused on
Remembering 9/11: One Year Later . . . The church’s Igniting
Ministry program of outreach and renewal has also prepared special
September initiatives which are on their website.

United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
The publishing arm of the United States Conference of Catholic
Bishops has posted to its website a comprehensive resource titled
Nine Days to 9/11, presenting visitors with a day-by-day spiritual
response to the observance of the anniversary of the terrorist
attacks. The USCCB is a long-time partner with the NCC in the work
of the Interfaith Broadcasting Commission, which produces faith-based
network TV programming.