wfn.org | ABCUSA: BAPTISTS EXPRESS GRIEF, CALL FOR PRAYER

[RICH.SCHRAMM@ecunet.org]

AMERICAN BAPTIST NEWS SERVICE 
Office of Communication  
American Baptist Churches USA 
P.O. Box 851, Valley Forge, PA 19482-0851 
Phone: (610)768-2077 / Fax: (610)768-2320 
Web: www.abc-usa.org
Richard W. Schramm, Director 
 E-mail: richard.schramm@abc-usa.org

AMERICAN BAPTISTS JOIN CHRISTIANS 
WORLDWIDE IN EXPRESSING GRIEF
AND CALLING FOR PRAYER IN AFTERMATH OF 
DEADLY TERRORIST ATTACKS
 American Baptists have joined with Christians 
around the world in an outpouring of concern, condolence 
and prayerful support in the wake of the terrorist attacks 
last week in New York City, Virginia and Pennsylvania that 
likely have claimed more than 5,000 lives. 
 Some initial responses follow.  Others will be 
shared as they are received.
 In New Jersey, where many of the early 
emergency medical procedures for World Trade Center 
victims took place, Dr. A. Roy Medley, executive minister 
of American Baptist Churches of New Jersey, wrote to 
churches: "We pray not only for those who are bereaved, 
for those who still anxiously await word and for those who 
labor in rescue and medical services; we pray as well for 
our nation.  May God save our hearts from the hate and 
vengeance which motivated the authors of this act.  May 
our government act wisely as  we seek to bring to justice 
those who have committed this horrible deed.  Any may 
God turn our hearts from the possibility of unthinking acts 
of vengeance against those within our land who share 
faith or nationality with those who planned and executed 
this attack."
 American Baptist Churches USA President Trinette 
V. McCray, in a communication sent Sept. 12 to American 
Baptist staff, said: "Certainly words cannot express the 
degree of sorrow and pain that we have all been visited by 
during and following the tragedy....  We have joined 
together in prayers for the families of persons whose lives 
were senselessly taken from them.  May God deliver 
healing to those who are injured and whose lives may 
never be the same.... May we pray for the safety for 
internationals and others who are in this country for purely 
good and positive reasons as a part of our global 
community.  Let's also pray for those of the Islamic 
community who will become targets for expressions of 
anger, suspicion and retaliation.  We must pray that our 
authorities will be led to the persons who are responsible 
for these acts. As many of you travel so routinely, I pray 
for God's return of your sense of safety. Join me in 
clinging to a constant awareness of God's presence and 
care."
 Dr. Robert H. Roberts, interim general secretary of 
American Baptist Churches USA, in a statement released 
Sept. 11 (see www.abc-usa.org/American Baptist News 
Service), said: "We need to pray fervently today for the 
thousands who have suffered the loss or injury of loved 
ones.  We pray for the caregivers, those who even now 
work to save those trapped and those who will need to 
provide ongoing care to those scarred in body and spirit.  
We pray that the hardened hearts of those responsible 
for-and supportive of-such acts be softened and 
reformed by the love that comes only from the God who 
cherishes and models reconciliation.  We pray for swift 
justice, but a justice tempered by appropriate restraint.  
We pray for shalom-God's peace-in our broken world."

Worldwide Baptist Response 
 Among communications from worldwide Baptist 
bodies, received by American Baptist International 
Ministries and the Baptist World Alliance, are the following 
excerpts:
 Baptist Union of Norway: "We send you all our 
condolences and sympathy and hope that the people 
responsible for this terrorist attack may be caught and 
imprisoned.  May the Lord give you strength as you reach 
out to both our own Baptist people and all other victims of 
this tragedy."
  Baptist Union of Croatia: "We pray for all the 
victims who have suffered from the attack, and also for 
your government leaders to find the proper solution [for] 
finding the real enemy."
  Baptist Evangelical Churches Union of Italy: "Our 
churches will be praying in these difficult times for the 
families of the victims and for the healing of the injured.  
We pray that God call other people to the service of peace 
and reconciliation in this world of enmity and hatred."
 European Baptist Mission, Germany: "As Christians 
we see behind this attack the power of evil, but we very 
clearly know that the power of our almighty God, His 
power of love in Jesus Christ, is much stronger and will 
have the victory at the end." 
 Estonian Baptist Union: "Estonian Baptists are 
praying for your country....  Yesterday it was an official 
day of mourning in Estonia...most of our churches had late 
night prayer meetings because of the situation in U.S."
 Federation of Evangelical Baptist Churches in 
France: "We feel helpless in face of such grief and distress 
and give thanks that in Jesus Christ we have a loving 
Shepherd to understand our suffering.  May God teach us 
to number our days aright and to serve Him faithfully, 
whatever ground the darkness may gain." 
 First Baptist Church of Wroclaw, Poland: "We pray 
for the Christians that they will be used by God in this 
dramatic situation to bring His presence, peace, comfort 
and good news."   
 Euro-Asiatic Federation Churches Baptist Union, 
Russia: "In this terrible time we will be praying together 
that God will console relatives of dead people and gave 
you a power to carry this terrible tragedy and work on His 
field for your people." 
 Czech Baptist Union: "We are very deeply moved 
in our hearts; we are crying with you! We are praying for 
you!" 
 International Baptist Theological Seminary, 
Prague, Czech Republic: "The International Baptist 
Theological Seminary community extends to all our many 
friends in the U.S.A. the assurance of our prayers and 
concern in the light of the terrible terrorist attacks...."
 Baptist Union of Slovakia: "Our prayers are with 
you and your families...our congregations will be gathering 
in special prayer meetings to call [upon] the Lord to hold 
His protecting hand over your nation."
  Nagaland Baptist Church Council: "We are 
appalled at the destruction and we stand by our fellow 
human beings in America...at this moment of grief, and in 
this confounded situation [we call for] the churches in 
Nagaland to pray for this great nation."
 Bengal Baptist Union: "We are shocked by the 
news of the terrorist attack in New York and Washington 
which claimed so many innocent lives of people without 
any rhyme or reasons.  We assure [you of] our prayers for 
all living in U.S.A."
 Canadian Baptist Ministries: "We are aware that 
while this attack was on America it is an assault at much 
different levels that are global in their ramifications.  It is 
in times like this that our global citizenship and more 
importantly our citizenship in Jesus Christ touches us most 
deeply."
 Progressive Bethel Baptist Church of Port 
Elizabeth, South Africa:  "We call upon all our Baptist 
churches in South Africa to be in prayer for our friends, 
partners and brothers and sisters across the Atlantic at 
this time and to light a candle to say that there will be 
peace at last." 
 Baptist Union of Victoria, Australia: "We are 
praying...for all concerned--the victims and their
families, the U.S. government as it responds, and 
especially for the perpetrators, that God will reveal His 
love to them."
 Council of Evangelical Churches for a 
Denominational Alliance (CEPAD), Nicaragua: "As the 
people of the United States have stood with the people of 
Nicaragua in their suffering, now the people of Nicaragua 
send their sympathy and support to the U.S. in this time of 
grief and loss.... This day will never be forgotten. Let its 
memory inspire us to redouble our efforts for peace and 
reconciliation, wherever we may find ourselves...."

Ecumenical Statements
 World Council of Churches (Dr. Konrad Raiser, 
general secretary): "You are all in our prayers.  We pray 
especially for the victims of these tragedies and for their 
families and loved ones.  We pray for those providing 
emergency services.  We pray for the leaders of your 
nation.  May God give them courage and wisdom in this 
terrible hour.  We fervently pray that this is the end of 
terror, and implore those responsible to desist from any 
further such acts of inhumanity."
 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the 
U.S.A. and Church World Service (Dr. Robert W. Edgar, 
general secretary, NCCC, and the Rev. John L. 
McCullough, executive director, CWS):  
"We condemn these vicious attacks in the strongest 
possible terms.  Even as our national sites are under 
attack, we call on all people to manifest the best of our 
national spirit. At such a time as this, we must hold 
together.  We call on people of faith to reach out to one 
another."
 Baptist World Alliance (Dr. Denton Lotz, general 
secretary): "It is time for religious leaders to condemn all 
violence and all terrorist activities.  As Baptists we are 
called upon to be peacemakers, and all forms of religious, 
political and social fanaticism must be condemned in the 
name of God.  Our hope is in Jesus Christ who is coming 
again to gather His people into a new kingdom.  During 
this time of waiting for the return of Christ, we call upon 
Baptists and men and women of good will everywhere to 
strive for those things that make for peace, reconciliation 
and justice." 

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