Churches help comfort a nation in shock

Even as the military and federal government has been placed on high alert, the nation's faith community has been called into action following Tuesday's terrorist attacks on New York and Washington, D.C.

President Bush called on the nation's faith leaders for support during the time of tragedy. He declared today a "national day of prayer and remembrance" and asked people to spend part of the day in worship services.

Both the Cape Girardeau and Jackson, Mo., ministerial alliances are calling on the county's churches to open their doors. Chapels on the campus at Southeast Missouri State University will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and an interfaith memorial service is planned for noon Wednesday at Academic Hall.

"We're encouraging people to go to the sanctuary of their choice for prayer and meditation," said the Rev. Clayton Smith, president of the Cape Girardeau Ministerial Alliance.

Smith, who is senior pastor at Centenary United Methodist Church, said the chapel has been open from 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. each day since Tuesday for people seeking a place to pray.

Across the area, houses of worship have been opened to the community as people gather to share feelings and offer prayers for peace and understanding. Trinity Lutheran Church at Frederick and Themis streets in Cape Girardeau will be open from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. today for prayer.

First United Methodist Church in Sikeston, Mo., devoted its Internet home page to people's thoughts on the disaster. The Web site can be viewed at www.gbgm-umc.org/sikestonfirst/

Special service

First Assembly of God Church in Scott City, Mo., is planning a memorial service at 3 p.m. Sept. 22 to remember victims, their families and emergency workers and military personnel around the world. "It gives people an outlet," said the Rev. Randy Morse.

The Rev. Mark Ramsey of First Church of God hasn't had any specific requests for one-on-one counseling, but people have come together to pray and share feelings, he said.

The church was open Tuesday night for anyone who wanted to come. "People have shared what's upsetting to them and what they've felt," Ramsey said. "I think that's been helpful for them to air their feelings."

One woman welled up in tears during a rehearsal Wednesday night at Trinity Lutheran Church as choir members sang a chorus:

"Lord keep us safe this night

and secure from all our fears

as angels guard us while we sleep

until morning light appears."

The Rev. Robert Towner of Christ Episcopal Church has seen constant reminders of the nation's distress as he drives to his office each morning.

The church entrance sits directly across the street from the Federal Building's side entrance on Fountain Street in Cape Girardeau.

"It's been a solemn reminder as I drive to the church each morning I realize that, as far as the federal government is concerned, we're still on high alert," Towner said.

Words of prayer

A single sheet of paper imprinted with words of prayer was removed from the red door at the church Thursday morning and handed to a guard outside the Federal Building across the street.

"They have been wandering over to look at it," said Towner, who had sent out the prayer Tuesday morning in an e-mail message to members of his congregation. He then printed it and posted it on the door.

The guards need the message just as much as the people who gather inside the church, he said.

As people of faith, now is the time to lift up our country and leaders, as well as remembering victims of the disaster and their families, Smith said.

The entire week has been "soaked in prayer," Towner said. "It's a really important way of dealing with the shock and moving from victimization to survival. We have a faithful response not just reactions."

Towner said he has tried to be "wide and deep" in his search for understanding. "I try to find moments of quiet and remember that God is God. I've reached out for lessons we can get from Scripture about God's people and the lessons from history."

Gov. Bob Holden is urging Missourians participate in today's National Day of Prayer and Remembrance by ringing church bells from 11:55 a.m.-noon.

ljohnston@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 126