911 Resources

FROM PAIN TO PEACE:

TURNING WALLS INTO TABLES

An Interfaith Service of Remembrance and Healing

for the Tragic Events of September 11, 2001 

Tuesday, September 11, 2007

Social hour with light refreshments 6:00 P.M. / Service 7:00 P.M.

Community Christian Church, 4601 Main St., Kansas City, Missouri

 

The purpose of this event is to serve as a vehicle for moving forward from reactions of pain and blame toward peace and hope.  The free event is open to the public.  A freewill offering will be collected with proceeds to benefit Christian Peacemaking Teams, an interdenominational agency actively engaged throughout the world in nonviolent alternatives to war.

Featured speaker is Glenn Thomas Carson, A.S., B.F.A., M.Div., Ph.D., President of Disciples of Christ Historical Society.  The event is presented by the Greater Kansas City Chapter of Disciples Peace Fellowship (DPF).  Founded in 1935, DPF is an independent organization within the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) that promotes peace and justice.

For information:

Contact Jeff Hon 816-407-7756 or Ron Faust 816-468-1868

 

 

Parts of a Litany by Helen Nelson for the 911 service09...

A Litany of Peace and Encouragement

 

Some of us are strangers; some of us are friends.

We come to grant forgiveness; we come to make amends.

We are the brokenhearted, wounded healers all.

We need to stand together, or else we all shall fall.

For we are many people, yet one humanity.

 

We drank the tears of sorrow; we ate the bread of grief.

We shrank from tales of terror; we sought from fear relief.

In anger we responded, shaken to the core.

Security was heightened; despair drove us to war.

Yes, we are many people, denying one humanity.

 

Some took a stand in protest, while some lined up to fight.

We searched our souls and struggled to know which way

 was right.

In time we came to wonder:  Which is the path to peace?

Might we encourage justice and cause hope to increase? 

We hope as many people, seeking one humanity.

 

We gather here together, from many viewpoints drawn.

We speak with varied voices; we pray for peace to dawn.

And as we face each other, we know the truth to be:

The courage to move forward is that which makes us free.

For we are many people, yet one humanity.

 

So, now with eyes wide open, and ears, and hearts, and

            minds,

We sense the nearing solace; the tension now unwinds.

Our open hands outreaching, we touch an inward place:

With palms of trust unfolding to grant an outward grace.

Now we as many people, share one humanity.

 

©2009.  Rev. Helen J. Nelson.  Written  for From Pain to Peace:  Many People One Humanity, an Interfaith Service of Peace and Encouragement after the Events of September 11, 2001, sponsored by Disciples Peace Fellowship and hosted by Community Christian Church, 4601 Main St., Kansas City, Missouri, 7pm, Sept. 11, 2009.