story798.xml
Title
story798.xml
Source
born-digital
Media Type
story
Date Entered
2002-06-19
911DA Story: Story
I have created a spiritual reteat center in the mountains of western Maryland. We do not have television and I rarely listen to the radio unless I am in the car. So, it took a member of our staff coming to work the morning of Sept. 11th to give me the news of what was happening in NYC,
at the Pentagon and in a Pa. farmland area not far from the retreat center. At first, it was difficult to believe that such a penetration of the safe, secure atmosphere that we cherish in the USA had been penetrated.
As the truth of it all began to sink it, it also became apparent that it would be important for the communities in which we live to gather together and speak about the tragedy, pray for all who were involved in any way, reflect upon the spiritual aspects of such a tragedy. Because I am a clergywoman, it seemed critical to begin to get the word out that such a gathering would happen that evening in the little town of Hancock- all who wished to come together would be welcomed. As it turned out, nearly all of our congregations held separate services that evening, and, by Friday night were gathering as a whole
community, across faith traditions. It is one of the most important times that the citizenry has gathered. Our praying together, reflecting together,
weeping together, covenantlng together will always be remembered as a moment of grace, a time of being connected to something much larger and more significant than anything we had, heretofor, experienced or imagined.
Margee Iddings
at the Pentagon and in a Pa. farmland area not far from the retreat center. At first, it was difficult to believe that such a penetration of the safe, secure atmosphere that we cherish in the USA had been penetrated.
As the truth of it all began to sink it, it also became apparent that it would be important for the communities in which we live to gather together and speak about the tragedy, pray for all who were involved in any way, reflect upon the spiritual aspects of such a tragedy. Because I am a clergywoman, it seemed critical to begin to get the word out that such a gathering would happen that evening in the little town of Hancock- all who wished to come together would be welcomed. As it turned out, nearly all of our congregations held separate services that evening, and, by Friday night were gathering as a whole
community, across faith traditions. It is one of the most important times that the citizenry has gathered. Our praying together, reflecting together,
weeping together, covenantlng together will always be remembered as a moment of grace, a time of being connected to something much larger and more significant than anything we had, heretofor, experienced or imagined.
Margee Iddings
Collection
Citation
“story798.xml,” September 11 Digital Archive, accessed January 10, 2025, https://911digitalarchive.org/items/show/5601.