Need for Connection Continues After September 11
June 1, 2002
More than six months after September 11 congregations are continuing to hold discussions, classes, and forums on terrorism and related topics. Several new resources to help congregations in these efforts have evolved.
At the Unitarian Universalist (UU) Church of Marblehead, MA (202 members), Rev. Mary Harrington began a series of Sunday afternoon Conversations of Conscience in March to allow her parishioners to talk about issues like the attacks, the continuing war on terrorism, and the prospects of war and peace in the Middle East.
River Road Unitarian Church in Bethesda, MD (705), has held a series of terrorism-related forums and classes since September 11. One of its most recent efforts was a Tuesday night series this spring on Islam and the Muslim World. Each session was attended by seventy to ninety people. Another well-attended series has been on Nonviolent Social Change. In addition, a weekly program on "Coffee, Controversy, and Conversation," held between River Road's two Sunday services, has often focused on terrorism and related issues since September. "There's still tremendous interest in these topics," said Rev. Scott Alexander.
Another resource is offered by a group called Public Conversations Project, which offers guides to community and family dialogues about terrorism and related topics.
Harrington said she began the Conversations sessions at Marblehead as a result of her habit of reviewing New York Times headlines on the Internet. "I was gone for four days and when I came back there was such an array of appalling and upsetting and fearful things happening in the world, that I wanted to do something."
Ten people came to the first session. "It was a powerful experience. We read from the new book, Poems To Live by in Uncertain Times. Then we went around the circle and people talked about what had brought them there. It ranged from feelings of tremendous helplessness to a lot of fear, despair, and just feeling very isolated." She encouraged the group to share feelings of both opposition to military force and support for it.
She added, "In the 60's and 70's there was a very strong anti-war point of view in this church and many felt drowned out, and left. So this time she encouraged the Conversations Group to "not let us be driven apart by strong opinions, but let us be questioning, curious, and respectful. I want this to be a wellspring of caring and confidence that we have in one another—a place where we can sort things out together."
For more information contact interconnections @ uua.org.
Last updated on Friday, April 18, 2008.
