Remembering 9/11
Dear friends and neighbors,
911. The stories, the memories and the commentaries are monopolizing the pages of every news outlet, much of it focused on the militarism and Islamophobia that have become commonplace since 2001. The victims of that tragic day, as well as the victims of the 10-year aftermath deserve our remembrance and our honor, for they are all victims of the world as we know it. Most of us remember the wonderful ways neighbors and strangers reached out and connected with one another and the work we did in those first days to lobby for sanity, forgiveness and peace. Every time I walk into the peace center, I see the series of wire circles created by all of you with names of 911 victims wrapped lovingly around each wire. Today those wires are covered in green, growing vines that remind me that life goes on and it is possible to grow and thrive from the ashes of destruction.
In the three weeks between now and the October 6 anniversary of the invasion of Afghanistan, people of peace and faith all around the country are planning walks, teach-ins, fasts, vigils and other events to bring the focus of 911 back to forgiveness and peace – to build instead of destroy. I challenge you to find some way to build community in your life. You might sit in meditation today at Unity Church’s Day of Prayer, or join them tonight for an interfaith prayer service. You might celebrate community at the Festival of Peace in Arlee this Saturday, at Missoula’s Sunday Streets this Sunday, and of course at our peace party on the 18th. Perhaps you simply reach out to someone you don’t know, help a neighbor, fast for a day or say a prayer. Each action we take, however small, builds collectively. Stop by JRPC during Sunday Streets to write down your ideas for community-building. We’ll compile them all and send them off to all those in Washington who need to hear a different way forward built on hospitality and kindness.
In the coming weeks, do what you can and pray in whatever way your heart commands for an end to fear and violence and a way forward to peace, pace, Paix, Amani, Vrede, Hoa Binh, Paz, Baris, Shalom, Salaam, dangnefedd, Eirin, Heiwa, Ashti, Shantee, Mir, Frieden, He Ping…
…Betsy
