Episcopal News Service Tuesday, August 29, 2006
Remembering Katrina: New Orleans cathedral service unites faiths in worship
By Ann M. Ball
[ENS, NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana] Three great faith traditions came together August 27 at Christ Church Cathedral, New Orleans, to lift up and commemorate the contributions of the faith community with a soul-inspiring blend of New Orleans music and interfaith prayers for the city's recovery and rebuilding after Hurricane Katrina. The cathedral was filled with people of every background, from far and near.
The joyful voices of the Shades of Praise Choir filled the cathedral for the 4 p.m. service with selections of Gospel music as a prelude to the liturgy of remembrance, healing and hope, titled "Come Forth and be Renewed."
Christ Church Cathedral's new organist, Jarrett Follette, also set the tone, selecting Aaron Copland's moving "Fanfare for the Common Man" for the processional, accompanied by a brass orchestra and rumbling timpani.
The solemn procession, complete with incense, included Louisiana Bishop Charles Jenkins, joined by Rabbi Edward Cohn of Temple Sinai; Imam Rafeeq Nu'Man, Masjidur Rahim of the Muslim community; Christ Church Cathedral Dean David duPlantier; superintendent and pastor, the Rev. John Pierre; and visiting Bishop Suffragan Nedi Rivera of Olympia.
Following a litany led by Laura Bailey, the cathedral's Christian Education director and a young member of the congregation, Nu'Man read a passage from the Koran.
Cohn read the familiar words from Ecclesiastes, using a variation for some people's ears, "a time to rip, a time to sew."
Full story and photographs:
http://www.episcopalchurch.org/3577_77428_ENG_HTM.htm
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