Churches Rethink 9/11
Intro:
Each year on 9/11, people recall the horror of the attacks on the World Trade
Center in 2001, but also the heroism of those who tried to help those trapped in
the towers. One community near Chicago decided to reclaim the day as a day of
hope and to honor first responders with an activities fair and opportunities to
be in service. It also was a chance to rethink church.
Script:
(Locator: Park Ridge, Illinois)
Al Bartel: “This is Hope Fest 2011 and it’s a day
to reclaim 9/11 as a day of hope. It’s also a day to
honor our first responders, who stand up and protect
us every day.”
Announcer: “We have gathered this morning as a
community.”
The Rev. Rich Darr, First United Methodist Church,
Park Ridge: “I’m Pastor Rich Darr. I’m lead pastor
at First United Methodist Church in Park Ridge. As a
church what made us want to do this is, we wanted to
really get out into our community, get outside the
walls literally.”
Carol Hill: “It’s really important in Hope Fest 2011
that we reach out and serve others, by giving blood,
donating blood, which saves lives through our CPR
classes so that we’re ready. If something happens,
we can be there. We are reaching out to our first
responders by providing them with thank you gift
bags to tell them that we know that they are serving
us and that we appreciate what they do.”
Alice Crawford: “We bagged cookies. We included them
with a prayer square, then there were cards that
were added to the bags too. They’re always around
for us when we need them. It’s kind of nice to
return the favor and tell them how much they’re
appreciated.”
(Rifle sound) Aim! Fire!
The Rev. Rich Darr: “Park Ridge Fire Department was
able to requisition a piece of steel, 200 lbs., six
foot, I-beam from the World Trade towers.”
Jeff Sorensen: “I think that piece of steel, it’s
something tangible. okay. It’s not in a text book,
it’s not something we’re just telling them. They can
go up to it. We encourage them to touch it and take
a moment and think about what happened to our
country.”
David Dalberg, Salvation Army: “The reality today is
it was a very hands-on day for everyone, both for
kids and adults alike. Kids had a great opportunity
to experience as an example firefighters and
policemen firsthand in their vehicles and their
equipment.”
(Adults help kids into helicopter) “Watch your head
and watch, don’t trip over that stuff. Good brother.
See up there, watch your head. Watch your feet.”
Joey Homberg: “The fire department has a trailer
over there. There's a room filled with fog and you
practice getting out of your room if there is a
fire.”
The Rev. Rich Darr: “Well, spiritually this is a
huge day for me. I think one of the major ways that
I connect with God is in service and outreach.”
David Dalberg: “We can’t be bound by our building
and by our chapels, by our churches. We have to step
out into the real world and live our faith day by
day. “
Carol Hill: “To be in relationship in new places and
meet new people in a way that they haven't met
before, it’s a new way of being. It’s a new way of
being church. It’s a new way of thinking about who
we are.”
Al Bartel: “That whole idea of “Open heart. Open
Minds. Open doors.” is an adjective. When we engage
in the community and use open as a verb it takes on
a whole different meaning.”
Tag:
For more information about
Hope Fest 2011, contact any of these United
Methodist churches:
First United Methodist Church of Park Ridge
418 Touhy Avenue
Park Ridge, IL 60068
First United Methodist Church of Des Plaines
668 Graceland Avenue
Des Plaines, IL 60015
New Hope United Methodist Church
7115 W. Hood Avenue
Chicago, IL 60631
Or visit
www.rethinkchurch.org.
Posted: September 15, 2011
