10th Anniversary of 9/11 Unites Local Churches

It has been nearly a decade since terrorists struck the Twin Towers, and local clergy and congregants of all faiths are gathering to pray for souls lost that September morning.

Pastor Gary Evans of Highland Congregational Church in Highland has coordinated an event to take place at 2 p.m. Sunday—10 years to the day since the attacks—at Duck Lake Pines in Highland.

“It will be a prayer service,” said the Rev. Leo Lulko of Church of the Holy Spirit in Highland. “I’m hoping there will be hundreds (at the event). I really do.” The event is open to the public, and people of all faiths are invited to attend.

During Sept. 11 services at Church of the Holy Spirit, Lulko intends to recognize the 10-year anniversary by placing a list of names of those who perished on the altar.

When the event occurred, he encouraged his congregation to pray.

“Amidst the shock, we prayed for peace,” he said. “It was difficult to believe that this could happen on our land.” Several congregants who are fireman went to New York following the tragedy. “We blessed them at the end of Mass before they went.”

Woodside Bible Church in White Lake will commemorate the day by taking a moment during Sunday service to recognize the anniversary.

“We’ve got young men and women who are in the military,” said Brad Hulcy, pastor at Woodside Bible Church in White Lake. “We have three families who have lost husbands and sons in the war in Iraq, so we’re very much aware of it.”

Hucly’s message for his members is to maintain faith in God.

“On this 10-year anniversary of 9/11, we remember that God’s work in this world is unstoppable," he said. "It doesn’t matter what tragedy takes place; God’s plan will not be thwarted. We are reminded to belong to Christ, grow in Christ and reach others for Christ.”