This Saturday, 11 September 2021, marks 20 years since the terror attacks on the United States of America.
Southwark Cathedral will be streaming a service of Remembrance and Commemoration at 1.30pm, which will be available on their website at https://cathedral.southwark.anglican.org/worship-and-music/worship/live-service-stream/. The blessing at the service will be given by The Bishop of Southwark, The Rt Revd Christopher Chessun, and the service will also feature contributions from members of the Southwark Cathedral Community.
A prayer, written by the Dean of Southwark, Very Revd Andrew Nunn, and read during the service, is available below:
Unchanging God,
as time moves on, you remain constant,
as year rolls into year, you are as you are.
Hold us in your love
as we remember again
the events that took loved ones from us,
the events that changed our lives,
the events that bring us here.
Bring us through this present time
to the brink of your eternity
where with all we love
we will be enfolded in you
for ever and ever.
Amen.
Bishop Christopher commends to you the following reflection from former Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, who spoke of his recollection of being at Trinity Church, Wall Street, on 9/11.
Bishop Christopher added: “I am grateful to Dr Rowan Williams for his moving and thought provoking words reflecting on the terror attacks of 20 years ago. We have seen their far reaching and lasting consequences over the following two decades, which have reverberated not only across American soil, but worldwide. Our prayers are with those who lost their lives, the members of the emergency services who bravely took part in the rescue operations, and those whose lives continue to be affected to this day. Southwark Cathedral’s memorial fig tree, and the strong links which have grown with the American community here, are a reminder of the Church’s call to be a place of refuge and safety in troubled times.”
