Places of worship offer solace, hope

Staff report

Copyright © 2001 Blethen Maine Newspapers Inc.

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In the morning the hijacked planes loudly exploded into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. Then all day, TV and radio blared the terrible news.

But on Tuesday evening at the First Baptist Church in Portland, a hush prevailed. The only sounds were the murmurs of prayer, as more than 150 people gathered to seek spiritual help not only for those hurt or killed on Tuesday, but to guide the nation's leaders and ensure that "calm and Godliness" would characterize the nation's response to the devastation.

The worshippers at the First Baptist Church were among many Greater Portland residents who sought solace, understanding and strength in their places of worship Tuesday evening. Religious organizations of all denominations opened their doors for services and still more plan to do so over the next few days.

Tom Ewell, executive director of the Maine Council of Churches, said the council is urging people to contact their places of worship to find out about services that can help them cope with the shocking events of Tuesday morning. "What people want now is to be with other people," he said. "They want friends around them who can listen to them and console them."

The Rev. Art Gay, senior pastor of the First Baptist Church, said that in schools after a tragedy, psychological counselors are called in to help students. But he said that "the most important kind of counsel we need as Christians is prayer."

Those at the church Tuesday asked God to help the families devastated by the loss of loved ones and the "American Arab community that will be under scrutiny."

Gay and other church members prayed that Maine's Muslim community not be blamed.

A spokesman for the Muslim community in Greater Portland said members are concerned about their safety even though it's not clear who's responsible for the attacks. Community members were to meet at their place of worship Tuesday evening to discuss such topics as how to contact police if harassment occurs.

After the Baptist service, Phil Cormier, 17, of South Portland, said that outside church there was "so much negativity" and finger-pointing. But inside church, he said, "There's hope for people."

Rabbi Alice Dubinsky at Congregation Bet Ha'am, a Reform Jewish synagogue in South Portland, called a service Tuesday to pray "for those who have been killed and wounded, and to pray for our world and our country."

Roman Catholic Bishop Joseph Gerry will officiate at a Mass of Peace at 7 p.m. today at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception at 307 Congress St.

Staff Writer Tess Nacelewicz can be contacted at 791-6367or at: tnacelewicz@pressherald.com

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