Lexington Interfaith Clergy to Host Sept. 11 Gathering

The following is a press release from the Lexington Interfaith Clergy Associaiton.

A gathering for all people will be held on the in Lexington at 6 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 11, the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Centers and the Pentagon.

The faith communities of Lexington, representing many traditions, will host the event, to be led by the clergy of the communities. People of all religious faiths and those of no particular faith are all welcome. The theme will be “Hope from Our Hearts.” 

There will be music provided by the various faith communities, statements by witnesses and/or individuals personally affected by the original attacks, readings from several faith and secular wisdom traditions and times for silence and for prayer. At the conclusion of the event, candles will be lit as symbols of hope -- all who attend are encouraged to bring a candle for this purpose. 

, located on the Green, will host a fellowship gathering after the event. If the weather is foul, the event will be moved into Hancock Church. 

“We are all mindful of the upcoming 10th anniversary of the attacks,” said Mary Peterson, pastoral sssociate of and , and co-president of the Lexington Interfaith Clergy Association (LICA).  “The tragic events of that day brought us all together as neighbors and citizens as we tried to understand what was happening. Now, a decade later, we will gather again to seek understanding and to renew our shared hopes for a more tolerant and peaceful world.” 

LICA’s other Co-President, the Rev. Paul Shupe of Hancock United Church of Christ added, “We will be engaged together in the work of remembering and of building hope. There will be no political agenda articulated, nor any attempt at religious persuasion. The focus will be on our shared humanity in the face of tragedy and hope for a still uncertain future, and not on ideas or ideologies that might divide us.” 

It is hoped that families and citizens of all ages will come together to remember, to reflect, and to find hope. More information is available on the LICA Facebook page, Lexington Interfaith September 11 Service, or by calling one of the faith communities of Lexington.