Pastoral Letter from the BishopsPlease share in parishes on Sunday, September 11.
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
Our lives were radically changed by the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Many among us lost family members, co-workers and friends. Others survived to give witness to the horror of that day and the bravery of first responders. Many people from this diocese became volunteers at ground zero and stayed with that work for months. Episcopal churches in Connecticut opened their doors for prayer in ways we had never seen before. And we reached out to persons of other faiths, often in silence and with tears, to seek God and a pathway of new understanding and reconciliation.
Over these ten years we have been a nation at war. Men and women of our communities have served in the armed services across the globe at great risk and great sacrifice. The costs and casualties of the War on Terror have been huge.
The 10th anniversary of September 11, 2001 gives us a focused moment for remembering those who died in the attacks of that day, their families and communities who still bear the loss, those who responded with such courage and bravery, those who serve their country now, and the families who wait at home.
Deep within our faith is the reality that God is at work even in the most terrifying circumstances of human life. Hate and terror are not final realities. With St. Paul we can believe that there is nothing that can separate us from the love of God in Jesus Christ.
This weekend, we invite you, to reflect with us on the reality of God's Mission of reconciliation here and now. Open your hearts in prayer to the God of love and healing and hope. Join one of the September 11th Memorial Observances in your area. Reach out to your neighbors, especially to those of other faiths and no faith at all, remembering how much our lives depend on one another. Take this opportunity to recommit yourself to God's work of reconciliation in and through Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit and the hope that can lead all humanity beyond fear and war.
At 7PM this Sunday, we will be participating in the interfaith memorial service at the Roman Catholic Cathedral of St. Joseph in Hartford. We invite you to join us.
Wherever you are this Sunday, please join your prayers with ours for peace, unity within our common humanity, healing and hope.
Faithfully,
The Rt. Rev. Ian T. Douglas
The Rt. Rev. James E. Curry
The Rt. Rev. Laura J. Ahrens
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
Our lives were radically changed by the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Many among us lost family members, co-workers and friends. Others survived to give witness to the horror of that day and the bravery of first responders. Many people from this diocese became volunteers at ground zero and stayed with that work for months. Episcopal churches in Connecticut opened their doors for prayer in ways we had never seen before. And we reached out to persons of other faiths, often in silence and with tears, to seek God and a pathway of new understanding and reconciliation.
Over these ten years we have been a nation at war. Men and women of our communities have served in the armed services across the globe at great risk and great sacrifice. The costs and casualties of the War on Terror have been huge.
The 10th anniversary of September 11, 2001 gives us a focused moment for remembering those who died in the attacks of that day, their families and communities who still bear the loss, those who responded with such courage and bravery, those who serve their country now, and the families who wait at home.
Deep within our faith is the reality that God is at work even in the most terrifying circumstances of human life. Hate and terror are not final realities. With St. Paul we can believe that there is nothing that can separate us from the love of God in Jesus Christ.
This weekend, we invite you, to reflect with us on the reality of God's Mission of reconciliation here and now. Open your hearts in prayer to the God of love and healing and hope. Join one of the September 11th Memorial Observances in your area. Reach out to your neighbors, especially to those of other faiths and no faith at all, remembering how much our lives depend on one another. Take this opportunity to recommit yourself to God's work of reconciliation in and through Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit and the hope that can lead all humanity beyond fear and war.
At 7PM this Sunday, we will be participating in the interfaith memorial service at the Roman Catholic Cathedral of St. Joseph in Hartford. We invite you to join us.
Wherever you are this Sunday, please join your prayers with ours for peace, unity within our common humanity, healing and hope.
Faithfully,
The Rt. Rev. Ian T. Douglas
The Rt. Rev. James E. Curry
The Rt. Rev. Laura J. Ahrens
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