by Pat Ellenwood, told the day after 9/11
(DRE, Wellesley Hills, MA) Can anyone tell me the name of this room? Sometimes we call it the big church when we mean we aren't going to worship in the chapel. But most of the time we use the word "sanctuary." If you look it up in the dictionary, you will find a lot of meanings. But the one I want you to hold in your heart this evening is the one that says a refuge, a place where you can feel safe. Take a moment to look around you. I really mean, look around you! Those of you who can't see very well can stand where you are if you wish and look around. Look at all the adults in this room. You may be with an adult who has special responsibility to you. But as you looked around, you saw lots of other adults who are here because they want the world to be different from the way it is today. Last Sunday, we dedicated a baby. During that ceremony, I said these words. “It is our task to work to create a world of peace and justice into which all may grow.” On Sunday, we were making a promise to a particular baby, Rebecca. But whether or not you have had a ceremony of dedication here, all the adults of this congregation understand that their responsibility to all of the children of this congregation. In order that your future will be bright, we are responsible for building a world of peace and justice. What happened yesterday wasn't peaceful and it wasn't fair. What happened yesterday was scary. And you know, it wasn't just scary for you. It was scary for all of us. Grownups can be scared. And the grownups here tonight, I am sure, were and perhaps still are scared. But more than being scared they are determined - determined to change the world. I want you to understand in the deepest part of yourselves that you and your family are part of a community of faith that is committed to building a world for tomorrow that is different from the world of yesterday. That is why they came to this place this evening - to be sure that at this dark time, they could be with people who have made a special promise to each other and to the children and youth. I’d like to read you a poem, called All of Us, by Kit Wright All of us are afraid
More often than we tell.
There are times we cling like mussels to the sea-wall,
And pray that the pounding waves won't smash our shell.
Times we hear nothing but the sound
of our loneliness, like a cracked bell From fields far away where the trees are in icy shade.
Many a time in the night-time and in the day,
More often than we say,
We are afraid. If people say they are never frightened, I don't believe them.
If people say they are frightened, I want to retrieve them
from that dark shivering place
Where they don't want to be,
Not I. Let's make of ourselves, therefore, an enormous sky
Over whatever we hold most dear.
And we'll comfort each other,
Comfort each other's fear.
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