(September 8, 2002) In remembering, we do not forget. At both the 8 and 10 o’clock services, that theme was reinforced by members of the congregation and the Pastor as they recalled the September 11^th attacks on America through their personal experiences.

At 8 o’clock, Bill and Debbi Lord told of their time at Camp Sunshine this summer as twenty families from the New York City area came to Maine for rest and emotional rehabilitation. Debbi told of seeing the scars of the attack…women and children together but without a man in sight. Bill told of one mother’s ultimately successful attempt to gain her own green card after her husband died in the collapse of one of the World Trade Center towers. Pastor Ruth recalled her emotions when she and her family visited Ground Zero.

The 10 o’clock service was a special event for the church and the community. Some twenty representatives of the Police Department, the Fire Department and KEMS, along with their families, joined the congregation. It was a time to honor the men and women who regularly put their lives on the line on our behalf.

Tim Stentiford spoke with great emotion about the loss of more than 200 of his colleagues when the tower in which his company’s office was located collapsed. He noted that each day of life is now more precious to him and his family. David Emery spoke of the journey he and his wife took from Maine to the Bahamas in their boat, passing by the still smoldering remains of the World Trade Center. The message he brought back to us from those they met along the way was one of hope, not despair.

The public servants were asked to stand, identify themselves, and accept the thanks of the community.

Following the service, we moved to Atlantic Hall for a pot luck luncheon in honor of our uniformed guests. The food was, as always, superb and we felt honored to sit with those public servants. Appropriately, a large, tattered American flag hung above the stage. It was a memorable day in Cape Porpoise.