Maybe it shouldn't be surprising as it has been three years since 9/11, but I was struck by the general non-observance of today, Sept. 11, 2004, here on the Vineyard. We at the Unitarian church were the only ones to offer a service on the Island.
Some stout believers would not consider it a service, as it consisted primarily of readings from the 9/11 Commission Report. The readings recounted the events of that day. We also had a reading from Jeremiah's Lamentations about the destruction of the city of Jerusalem 2600 years ago; this was especially powerful as read by Nancy Cox. Although we selected 'popular' music, it added to the solemnity; the songs were America the Beautiful by Ray Charles, Bridge Over Troubled Waters by Simon and Garfunkel, Spirit of Life by the Chancel Choir and Amazing Grace by Judy Collins.
A couple of the people who lit candles at the end of the service had powerful tales to tell of friends and relations lost.
Let's hope that someday we can stop and remember days of peace and happiness, rather than days of violence and hate.
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