Resources for 9-11

Written by Mary Ann Semple August 3, 2011

Resources for Remembering the 10th Anniversary of 9/11
Liturgical resources:

*         For The Episcopal Church (TEC), The Episcopal Peace Fellowship has a
Litany: September 11th a Day of Remembrance" available at their website: 
ttp://epfnational.org/litany-september-11th/ . Other liturgical resources are
vailable here:  http://epfnational.org/resources/worship-resources/.   More
esources may be made available from TEC in the future.

*         The ELCA (Lutherans) have some online resources for remembering the
nniversary of 9/11: "Prayers for the 10th Anniversary of 9/11" 
ttp://www.elca.org/Growing-In-Faith/Worship.aspx

*         The Presbyterian Church (www.pcusa.org<http://www.pcusa.org>) has a
ollection of excellent resources, some specifically outlined below: 
ttp://gamc.pcusa.org/ministries/september11/

*         Awareness Sunday:  a curriculum project of the Awareness Foundation
nd the Church of England to promote religious dialogue and tolerance:  "The
oundation was established to help Christians make sense of their faith and
ulture in the 21st century, and to increase awareness of their neighbors'
aiths and cultures, so that they can live in a diverse society without fear and
ithout compromising their beliefs."  This site has been changing over the past
ew weeks, but for liturgical resources go to the home page (http://www.awarenesssunday.com/)
hen look under the tab for "Resources."   The original liturgical materials
ave been taken down but the site promises that updated materials will be added
n the near future.  Though geared for English churches, the "Awareness"
urriculum is available for purchase in the US at http://www.awareness-foundation.com/america.

An Interfaith Ritual:  Have clear glass bowls on the central table in a
ircle, one for each faith present, with a tall clear glass vase in the middle.
ach shall have glass stones inside all of one color (e.g. one bowl all blue
lass stones, one bowl all red glass stones, etc.)   Ask a person from each
aith to step forward, one at a time, and say a prayer of longing, or unity, or
eace, or reconciliation that is sacred to their faith (or them), and then they
hall pour their faith's glass stones into the one common tall glass vase.  At
he end, all the stones will be mixed, a sign of a way to live together in peace
distinct yet united, all beautiful, creating rainbow. All stand in a circle
round the bowls, and say together a prayer of peace.  From the MA Conference of
he UCC:  http://macucc.org/pages/detail/2471#Ritual

For children:

*         Great lectionary-based resource for working with children -  will
robably have lesson for a children's time or chapel lesson for 9/11:
ttp://worshipingwithchildren.blogspot.com/

*         Ministering to Children in a Time of Crisis (updated for 10th
nniversary of 9/11)

http://www.pcusa.org/media/uploads/september11/pdfs/ministering-to-children.pdf

Encouraging personal service and participation on September 11:
National Day of Service:  Tools and resources for planning and sharing in
ommunity service projects.
http://www.handsonnetwork.org/nationalprograms/signatureevents/911day
For Clergy:

*         Pastoral care responses to 9/11 and times of grief and tragedy
ncluding a guide to understanding  differing responses to tragedy and disaster
repared by the Presbyterian Church, USA.  http://www.pcusa.org/media/uploads/september11/pdfs/september11-pastoral.pdf

*         Annotated resource list for preaching in times of crisis compiled by
on Allen of Christian Theological Seminary:  http://www.sermonmall.com/WTC/postwtcA.html

Curriculum:

*         11 Days of Prayer: This series of daily scripture readings and
rayers and meditations produced by the Presbyterian Church (www.pcusa.org<http://www.pcusa.org>)
re really quite good.  In its present format it can be printed out as a
andout.  However, consider daily EMAILS to parishioners, or perhaps even TEXTS
r TWEETS of the material.  These well-written and crafted pieces have the
otential to help people establish a daily practice of prayer, reading, and
eflection. http://www.pcusa.org/media/uploads/september11/pdfs/eleven_days_of_prayer.pdf

*         Personal Stories of Transformation from 9/11: This online,
ideo-based curriculum, though designed for 5th - 12th graders in public
chools, can be used with adults as well as youth.  The stories are well-filmed
nd provide examples of those who made positive meaning out of the horror and
ragedy of 9/11.   http://www.tributewtc.org/programs/toolkit.html

*         Adult church school lessons on remembering 9/11 published by the
resbyterian Church.  These could be used as a midweek session or on Sunday,
eptember 11th during an education hour or after church.  The first lesson helps
dults examine their feelings in light of their faith around 9/11.  The second
esson looks at scripture and the assurance that God is present even in the
idst of disasters and pain, and examines how Christians continue to live in
ope.  The third possible lesson helps adults, and particularly parents, to look
t talking with their children and others and to be especially mindful of
ocabulary and the meanings behind words. http://www.pcusa.org/media/uploads/september11/pdfs/adult-study-sessions.pdf.

*         "Where is God when Disaster Strikes?"  This adult study is from The
houghtful Christian online publishing house and made available for free use: 
ttp://www.pcusa.org/media/uploads/september11/pdfs/disaster-strikes.pdf

*        Remember 9/11 by confronting Islamophobia - lessons for children and
outh -- This page of resources from Teaching Tolerance (a public education
roject of the Southern Poverty Law Center) has lesson plans for elementary,
iddle and high schools concerning religious diversity in America in general,
nd Islam in particular.  Consider using parts or all of these lessons when
hildren and youth ask about the differences between Christianity and other
eligions like Islam. http://www.tolerance.org/print/blog/commemorate-911-confronting-islamophobia


Remember your Public Library!   A quick search in the Minuteman Library System
n Massachusetts revealed many, many resources around 9/11, especially DVDs.

Resources prepared by Amy Cook, Missioner for Education, Formation &
iscipleship for the Episcopal Diocese of MA