Members of the Religious Education Department, including Youth Office
staff, gathered on Sept. 12, 2001 to offer some resources to help provide
religious responses to people of all ages in our congregations. We have
prepared three documents that appear either as text in this document
or as linked files, depending on your electronic source. We have also
indicated links to other timely resources. We intend to post more suggestions
in the days and weeks to come.
The three resources available now are:
Helping Families Respond to Tragedy
by the Rev. Patricia Hoertdoerfer
Liturgical Resources gathered by the
Rev. Marjorie Bowens-Wheatley
How to Keep Faith in Time of Tragedy by
Jen Devine.
We have also discussed some guidelines for us all to keep in mind as
we as religious people deal with this national and personal trauma:
- Religious Community. We are here for each other. Let us draw together
as children, youth and adults for support and meaning-making. Let
us not exclude any age from the healing process.
- Faith. Let us know that our liberal religion is also here for us.
Let us draw on our Principles, traditions, values, and beliefs in
a time that may test all of these. Let us remember our commitment
to peace and justice, and to the inherent worth and dignity of all
people, and let us reflect on what we are called to do in the months
ahead. Let us not be afraid to pray or meditate. Let us be grateful
for the gift of life and the grace with which we are held in our lives.
- Feelings. Let us allow each other to express our feelings. Let us
meet the need to restore a sense of safety, especially to our children,
even as we acknowledge our vulnerability.
- Action. Our attention turns first to the pastoral need to comfort
and heal. Yet some simple actions can help the grieving process by
diminishing feelings of helplessness. We can write sympathy cards
or letters of protest, donate blood or send money, support the Red
Cross and our congregations in the New York City and D.C. areas; we
can speak out against racist reactions to this tragedy. In time, we
can also examine the political context of these events and discern
what long-term social activism we may feel called to undertake.
The members of the UUA Religious Education Department share your shock
and grief. Know that you are in our thoughts and prayers, and that we
are here to help in any way we can.
Judith A. Frediani, for the
RE Department
