The Community Responds

Nearly 1,400 people came together for an interfaith Community Prayer for Peace on the evening of September 12 at the Community of Christ Auditorium in Independence, Missouri. Christian, Muslim, and Jewish speakers, as well as the mayor of Independence led the gathering in a series of thoughts, hymns, meditation, and prayer. An offering of more than $6,000 was offered by the gathering, which will be contributed to the American Red Cross.

Community of Christ President W. Grant McMurray welcomed community members, some of whom traveled from more than an hour away to participate. Mayor Ron Stewart and Janna Roberson, a local youth, did an interactive scripture reading, followed by soloist David White’s rendition of “Comfort Ye My People.”

A series of specific prayers, readings, and thoughts were offered as follows:

A prayer for those in grief	Captain Richard Trimmell, Salvation Army
A prayer for the survivors	Reverend Samuel Nero, Second Baptist Church
A prayer for the children	Ira Harritt, American Friends of Service Committee
Scripture reading from Genesis	Rabbi Dana Evan Kaplan, Director, Danciger Program in Jewish Studies, UMKC
Statement of action through giving	Linda Booth, Community of Christ
A prayer for the perpetrators	Dr. John Barklind, First Presbyterian Church
A prayer for the nation and leaders	Professor Syed Hasan, Faculty Advisor, Muslim Students Association, UMKC
A prayer for peace	Danny Belrose, Community of Christ
Scripture reading from Isaiah	Grant McMurray, Community of Christ

Rabbi Kaplan read first in Hebrew then in English. Professor Hasan began his prayer with a reading from the Koran, which he also translated to English. “The Spirit’s warm, comforting touch was evident,” said Community of Christ director of Communications Linda Booth. Community members expressed their thankfulness at being able to come together to offer comfort and support to one another, and reach out to others through prayer.