Minute in Response to World Trade Center
and Pentagon Tragedies and a Message to Our Neighbors in the Herndon
Community
As organizations of the Religious Society of Friends
(Quakers), and as members of the human family and children of God, we are
profoundly grieved at the loss of life, the suffering, and the sorrow that
result from today's [Sept. 11th] tragic events. The God of love and mercy
whom we worship and serve surely grieves, too, in the face of these acts of anger
and hatred and the suffering they cause. We pray earnestly for comfort
and strength for those who are injured and grieving. So, too, we hope
with all our hearts that in responding to today's tragic events, all
persons will find ways to end the violence that is consuming our world.
We offer our gratitude and prayers to those who are responding to this
tragedy, rescuing and caring for those who are injured, comforting those
who are grieving, and working for peace and reconciliation.
The Religious Society of Friends, since its inception in the 1650's, has
been led to eschew war and all forms of violence for any end whatsoever.
Time and again we have ministered to the victims of war and violence. We
believe that the challenge before us all is to break the cycle of violence
and retribution.
-- Herndon Friends Meeting, in unity with:
Friends World Committee for Consultation
Friends General Conference of the Religious Society of Friends
Philadelphia Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends
American Friends Service Committee
In uniting with the above joint statement, Herndon Friends Meeting reaffirmed
its desire to seek God's love, light and guidance in these most difficult
and troubling times.
We add to that statement a further message of hope.
Our grief and sorrow are deep, and we offer prayers of comfort and strength
to all who have lost loved ones. We are grateful to those who have worked
tirelessly to aid the injured and relieve the suffering of others.
Our hurt is a common one felt by all our neighbors. And when one of our
neighbors is hurt, we feel it, too. We recognize that we are part of a
vibrant community of people from around the world, and that our lives are
richer because of our shared experiences. We seek to initiate and to
support
the efforts of others to bring people in our community closer together. It
is the mutual understanding of our common humanity that will deter the
blind
hatred and ignorance of a few whose aim is to sow anger and violence among
us.
As we begin to heal and rebuild we face an uncertain future. Our challenge
is not just to urge an end to war but to wage peace. That challenge is as
daunting as any battle and requires similar courage and sacrifice. We shall
strive to work together to act in ways that reflect God's grace and
presence
among us and in us.
(Adopted by Herndon Friends Meeting, First Day, 26 September, 2001)
