Selections from Grace Church's 9/11 Service

 

The introduction to the Sunday Service Bulletin

Dear Friends,

This morning we commemorate the 10th anniversary of the tragedy of September 11, 2001.  Needless to say, each one of us has vivid memories of this event which will ever be etched in our minds: where we were that day when the Twin Towers were attacked, how we reacted, what we were thinking, feeling -- the horror, the sadness, the disbelief.  Now ten years later we revisit that tragic day hopefully with some positive perspective which makes sense of what seems still to be an unthinkable occurrence. 

Through the horror of 9/11, we have learned some hard but valuable lessons -- we have learned the amazing courage and strength and goodness of the American people -- their willingness to help in times of peril, their bravery in the midst of acts of violence, bravery even unto death.  We have seen a nation rise from the ashes of this tragic event more aware of the abundant gifts which it possesses and the preciousness of life at once brilliant yet ever transitory.  We have learned to hold those dear to us with tenderness and be much more careful that our love for each other is affirmed daily.  We have learned to take each moment as a priceless gift from God.  We have learned to broaden our acceptance of our neighbor who is different from us -- not seeing in them potential terrorists but rather children of God made in His image and likeness. 

For those who set out to hurt us and who despise us, we can only pray for their souls and protect our nation from their anger.  For those who have died innocently and without malice, we know that they are in the loving hands of God.  For those who died bravely as martyrs helping others, their crown of glory in heaven is assured.  May we hope and pray that an event like this may never happen again -- that we as the world's people may be generous, kind, and loving towards each other.

Faithfully in Christ, Fr. Bob Hufford+

From the Epistle Lesson (Romans 14: 1-12)

Why do you pass judgment on your brother or sister? Or you, why do you despise your brother or sister? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. For it is written, “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall give praise to God.” So then, each of us will be accountable to God.

From the Gospel (Matthew 18:21-35)

Peter came and said to Jesus, “Lord, if another member of the church sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times."

The Prayers of the People: A Litany of Remembrance, Penitence, and Hope

Officiant: We light a candle in remembrance for all those who suffered and died on September 11, 2001, in New York, Pennsylvania, and at the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia.  We light a candle to remember those who still live and who suffer because of the events of that day.

Reader: When we remember the stockbrokers, office workers, maintenance workers, bystanders, window-washers and all the others who worked together so valiantly to help each other, we can say together,

All: We remember great courage

Reader: When we recall the firefighters who rushed upstairs as most everyone else was racing out, we can say together,

All: We remember selfless service.

Reader: When we recall the police officers who stood to protect and defend the people and performed their duties until the towers came crashing down on top of them, we can say together,

All: We remember selfless sacrifice for the safety of others.

Reader: When we recall the thousands of workers, women and men, and old and young, single and married, American-born and those born in countries around the world who did not escape the buildings, we can say together,

All: We remember the loss of human life.

Reader: When we recall those citizens who rushed to help, did all they could to help, we can say together,

All: We remember and give thanks for dutiful commitment to those in distress.

Reader: When we recall the people who stood in line at the nation's blood banks to make living donations from their very bodies, we can say together,

All: We give thanks for those who live on to pass on life and love.

Reader: When we remember the millions of Americans who gave so generously of their life and labor to endow funds to help the survivors and their families recover from their losses, we can say together:

All: We are grateful for generosity.

After the Eucharist

All: God of all creation, our hearts are broken over the destruction and loss we remember this day. And we acknowledge, O Lord, that on that day of human carnage yours was the first heart to break.

Congregation left side: In our remembering, may we stand with those who mourn and those who cannot stop mourning. Through remembering, may we find new comfort in your care. In our remembering may we be drawn to a new hope for the whole world, and may we gain for ourselves a measure of your peace.

Congregation right side: You who can turn the shadow of night into the bright promise of a new day, empower us to shape a world marked by ways of life that lead to justice and peace for all peoples.

Congregation left side: Fashion in us a people who are more ready to grow in understanding than eager to judge those who are different from us. Form us as a people determined to heal wounds rather than inflict them.

Congregation right side: We pray at last that you would cultivate such love in us that we may reach out in compassion to all those who are still wounded by the events of that day; and in seeking to heal others, may we experience a love that makes us whole.

All: This we pray in the strong name of Jesus our Christ. Amen.

By the Rev. Eileen W. Lindner, former Deputy General Secretary of the National Council of Churches.

The Closing Hymn (Hymnal 1982, number 570)

All who love and serve your city,
All who bear its daily stress,
All who cry for peace and justice,
All who curse and all who bless,

In your day of love and sorrow,
In your day of helpless strife,
Honor, peace and love retreating,
Seek the lord, who is your life.

In your day of wealth and plenty,
Wasted work and wasted play,
Call to mind the work of Jesus,
"Work ye now while it is day."

Risen Lord, shall yet the city,
Be the city of despair?
Come today, our judge, our glory;
Be its name "The Lord is there!"

For all days are days of judgment,
And the Lord is waiting still,
Drawing near his friends who spurn him,
Off'ring peace from Calvr'ys hill.

Guidelines for Ministers of Healing

Hawley Todd TSSF, Episcopal Healing Ministries

General Principles

All that is done is to be motivated by love for God and for those seeking healing. Everyone is to be treated with respect and dignity. Each person is a precious extension of the body of Christ. Whatever we do to the least of these, we are doing to Christ.

Everyone who serves in ministries of healing must make every effort to maintain the highest levels of ethical and pastoral standards. Ongoing training and maintaining a healthy spiritual life are normative.

Healing team members minister under the authority and supervision of the church in the locality in which they serve. One does not operate under one’s own “authority” or by being answerable only to God. Confidentiality is essential. Any information gained in a prayer session remains in that prayer session unless Federal or State law would require otherwise.

The healing ministry is practiced in accord with the canons, teachings, and worship of the Episcopal Church.

Ministries of healing are means by which God enables people to become whole. The focus is on providing opportunities for grace so that people can become the persons God created them to be!

Prior to the Prayer Session

Listen. Listen. Listen.

Ask clarifying questions only when needed. Make sure that those receiving prayer have given informed consent.

Give permission for those seeking prayer to be in whatever position is most comfortable. For instance, some may prefer to stand rather than kneel. Others may prefer to sit. Be sensitive to the wishes of those seeking healing as to whether the laying-on-ofhands is desired; and if so, what would be most appropriate.

The Prayer Session

Healing team members are to be a loving and welcoming presence. Their focus is on God and those seeking healing. Healing team members are representing Jesus Christ to those seeking prayer. In the mystery of intercession, it is easy for those seeking prayer to confuse who the healer is. God is the healer.

Content of Prayer

Pray out loud only for what has been named explicitly by the person seeking prayer. Pray out loud in a language edifying to the person seeking prayer. While at times praying in the spirit may be how one feels led to pray, one can do that quietly and in one’s spirit. Periods of silence during a prayer session are often appropriate.

Never speak for God or make promises in the name of God.

Never diagnose or give advice. Let God led the person into the truth that person “needs” to hear. It is not the job of the healing team member to fix or cure a problem. Never escalate a named problem. For instance, if someone has asked for prayers for a stomach ache, do not pray for healing of stomach cancer.

Never introduce the demonic into a prayer session. Please consult the Book of Occasional Services (2003 edition, p. 174) for specific guidelines on Episcopal Church Policy. Exorcism is a ministry under the direct supervision of the Bishop.

Never condemn or be judgmental in one’s prayers.

Trust that God knows what is needed and will do it.

After the Prayer Session

Maintain confidentiality. The person who sought prayer may initiate conversation about the session but not the caregiver. Unless required by law, never share information about the content of the prayer session without the express consent of the person for whom prayer was offered.

Only licensed professionals may give any form of counseling or medical advice. This is to be initiated at the request of the person who sought prayer.

Continue to pray as led by God.

Other Considerations

Prior to a prayer session and/or a public service of healing, explanations should be given so that all participants will have a clear expectation of what will happen. Written materials explaining the purpose and process of healing ministries should be available to all participants.

Christian modalities of healing are to be done in conjunction with medical science. Resources for referrals and follow-up should be planned in advance of sessions.

Contingency plans for medical and/or pastoral emergencies should be in place and known by those “working’ in the ministries of healing. Anointing with holy oil is one of the oldest modalities of Christian healing. Many Dioceses allow trained lay healing team members to anoint.

© Hawley Todd TSSF, Episcopal Healing Ministries

About Episcopal Healing Ministries

“The healing ministry is for all who seek a closer relationship with God; for all who seek to grow in grace and knowledge of Him. Christ is a healing Savior who heals all brokenness in every area of our lives.”

The Rev. Emily Gardiner Neal

Why were we founded?

Episcopal Healing Ministries was established in 1987 as a 501 C 3 charitable organization to implement the threefold healing ministry of Jesus Christ - to proclaim the kingdom of God, to teach, and to heal.

What is our mission?

The mission of Episcopal Healing Ministries is to proclaim by word and example the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ by being obedient to his imperatives of teaching and healing. Episcopal Healing Ministries is devoted to training, instructing and preparing both clergy and laity to the highest professional standards of practice in ministries of healing. The staff of Episcopal Healing Ministries is available to lead ministries of healing through missions, retreats, liturgical services, and intercessory prayer.

What is our vision of healing?

All healing proceeds from God. Healing prayer is a sacramental activity. The best metaphor for prayers of healing is the epiclesis in the Holy Eucharist.

Who is Hawley Todd?

Hawley Todd TSSF is the Foundation Director and the Formation Director for Episcopal Healing Ministries. Having been mentored by the Rev. Emily Gardiner Neal from 1982 until her death in 1989, Hawley has 27 years of experience in the healing ministry. He was trained in the Anglican tradition at Bexley Hall Episcopal Seminary, taught World Religions at McMaster University and has been an Education for Ministry mentor with the University of the South since 1996. He has been an Assistant Formation Director for the Third Order of the Society of St. Francis and was the Director of Christian Formation at St. Thomas Episcopal Church from 1990 - 2006. Also a trained spiritual director, Hawley has led retreats and missions in the United States and Canada.

Contact Information

Hawley Todd TSSF
Foundation Director & Formation Director
Episcopal Healing Ministries
Christ Church Cathedral
318 East Fourth St.
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
Phone: 513-967-6581

Email: todd@episcopalhealing.org
web: www.episcopalhealing.org

Celebration of Wholeness and Healing

Grace Church conducts a monthly service that brings together traditional and non-traditional healing methods: healing prayer and laying on of hands for healing, together with  African Drumming and Reiki.  Drumming begins at 6:30 pm, the service begins at 7 pm on the second Wednesday of most months. Check the Grace Calendar.

The service is based on the concept of release of tension through African drumming, restoration of peace through quietness and solitude, and prayer for continued health through the laying on of hands.

In this service, we make space and time to allow God to move in our midst as we celebrate God's overwhelming love for each one of us. The service includes a liturgy of healing prayers and African drumming and culminates with opportunities for Reike and the traditional laying-on-of-hands and anointing with holy oil.

All are invited to worship and enter God's presence as moved by the Holy Spirit.

For background on the role of healing ministry in the life of the church, read About Grace Church's Healing Ministry

What People are Saying About this Service.

Grace Church Senior Warden David Mukasa (left) says, "I attended the healing/Reike/drumming service for the first time last week and I was swept off my feet! The involvement and passion of the participants is contagiously good, I even got to play the drum!"

"For those who have not attended the service I recommend that you do. It will be an experience." 

Liturgist Hawley Todd said of the October, 2009, service,  "The healing service last evening was truly blessed by the Lord.  … At the beginning of my homily, I did an invocation of the Holy Spirit.  I am not sure how good the homily was but the seekers and drummers liked it.  What I do know is that the Holy Spirit did come in an extremely powerful way.  It was amazing. Ray Betts, J White, and I prayed with many. It was wonderful to spend more time in prayer with each person than we are able to do on Sunday mornings.  It is a humbling experience to be with others as the Lord ministers to them!"

About the November, 2009, service, Reike Master Kevin Driggers said, "This was an AWESOME night the creator has given us. I can't believe the turnout that we had. It would seem there is a shift in going to church. "This ain't your Parent's" spirituality." Bob Laake and I feel very blessed to have been placed in the right place at the right time. It seems to be a  revival of old time religion. I thank all who attended for allowing us to be part of their blessings as we receive much more than we all give!"

About the Leaders.

This service is led by Hawley Todd, TSSF. Healing drumming is led by Bob Laake. Rieke is coordinated by Kevin Driggers.

Hawley Todd, TSSF, (right) is currently the full time Formation Director of Episcopal Healing Ministries. He has worked for 26 years in various healing ministries and was mentored by EHM founder the Rev. Emily Gardiner Neal from 1982 until her death in 1989.  He was trained in the Anglican tradition at Bexley Hall Episcopal Seminary, has taught World Religions at McMaster University and has been an Education for Ministry mentor with the University of the South since 1996.  He has been an Assistant Formation Director for the Third Order of the Society of St. Francis and was the Director of Christian Formation at St. Thomas Episcopal Church from 1990 to  2006.  He is a trained spiritual director and has led retreats and missions in the United States and Canada. He is a licensed Worship Leader in the Episcopal Diocese of Southern Ohio.

Bob Laake (left) has loved drumming since early childhood when he would drum on anything that would make a sound. He's played with many local bands in practically every style of music. However, it wasn't until he was diagnosed with stomach cancer that he discovered the power of the drum as a healing tool. He is now in total remission and is spreading the word of healing drumming everywhere he can. Learn more about  the power of healing drumming on Bob Laake's Drum for Healing page.

Kevin Driggers (right) is a Reiki Master/Teacher. He also works with crystals and other minerals as a form of alternative healing. He has been working with alternative healing since 1984.