 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
A Wing and
A Prayer
Watch this Video
| Windows Media |
  |
| QuickTime | |
| MPEG |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|||
| If you’re going to be flying on vacation this summer, you will have plenty of company. Travel industry experts say air travel will be up. That’s good news for airlines, not such a plus if you’re one of those standing in long lines at the airport. We know of an oasis. It’s in the terminal, but far from the concourse craziness. | |||
 |
|||
 |
New Items | Additional Stories | UMTV Brief | Archives | ||
Airline passengers fly in the face of fear.
Mary Susa, passenger: “It’s very stressful and rushed and then you’re concerned about planes’ going down. Are you going to make it to your destination?”
Terrorism, the SARS virus, canceled flights – airport anxiety is at an all-time high.
Marc Frost: “Since 9/11, it’s just not fun.”
Chaplain Chester Cook is there to help.
The Rev. Chester Cook: “Normally, you don’t have to walk too long before you find somebody who needs a friend.”
This United Methodist ministers at Hartsfield International in Atlanta, which sees a quarter of a million passengers a day.
The Rev. Chester Cook: “We see a lot of people who are fearful of flying, and sometimes look to a chaplain for help.”
To cope with the stress, employees and travelers alike seek refuge at the airport’s interfaith chapel, Cook’s base of operation.
The Rev. Chester Cook: “We have Muslim and Jewish and Christian, all three, in the chapel at the same time, either doing their prayers or reading Scripture.”
Donna Lee / Passenger: “My faith goes with me everywhere I go.”
The chapel was comfort for Donna Lee, who travels the world with her Christian music ministry.
Donna Lee: “This is a great way to pass the time. And you can pray for all the people out there that are walking around stressed, and maybe bring some peace to some people.”
Cook works in the moment. His is a different kind of congregation; it’s always taking off.
The Rev. Chester Cook: “In the airport, we have a microcosm of the world, and they’re all welcome here in our chapel.”
A Wing and a Prayer – Tag
Airport chapels have become more popular since 9/11, but more difficult to get to because of added security. There are more than 135 airport chapels around the world.