Lost & Found

Amid the rubble of the buildings, and the loss of so much life, people of the many faiths that are represented in the River Valley found spiritual guidance this week. They flocked to candlelight vigils, prayer meetings, meditations, shabbat services, masses and fellowships to deepen their convictions and, in some cases, to begin a spiritual journey to help them cope with the enormous tragedy. We asked the leaders of the spiritual community to share their thoughts with us, so that we may see how alike we are, and how we can help each other find light in the darkness.

“We need to stop and consider how Jesus would handle this situation, and pray for our enemies, and heap our blessings upon them ... the bible tells us goodness will befuddle the enemy...”

Pastor Lauren Hertzler, Sr.,
Grace Baptist Church, Callicoon

“It’s time to get serious about things spiritual, to call upon God for the courage to overcome adversity. This is a test of our faith, not our national might.”

Reverend Robert Pinto,
United Methodist Church, Hurleyville

“Ashes can come to life, from death can come resurrection, from tragedy can come new hope and direction, if we allow God to lead us.”

Reverend Richard N. Ryley,
guest minister at Grace Episcopal Church, Honesdale

“In terms of war, don’t even go there in your mind. This world was created so that we can all honor God by how we live our lives. In terms of the event of Tuesday, September 11, let the healing that has already begun, continue in us and through us.”

Pastor Steven M. Knutsen,
United Methodist Parish, The River Churches

“In this dark time we need to shine more brightly as children of light... be on bended knee in prayer, immersed in scripture ... come together as people of faith to lean on one another and recharge our batteries in order to shine more brightly in the darkness.”

Reverend Teressa Sivers,
United Methodist Church, Lakeville

“...we have lost so much, so many... we have found so much, so many. Through it all... God is with us. God is always with us—a very present help in time of trouble.”

Pastor Phyllis Haynes,
St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Narrowsburg

It is written in the Torah:  “I call heaven and earth to witness today that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Choose life so that you and your descendants may live.”

 – Deuteronomy 30

“God understands our pain, and is willing and able to respond to our needs.”

Reverend David Repenning,
Milford United Methodist Church

“In this darkness, we live in the light.”

Pastor Veronica A. Ostrowska,
Hortonville Presbyterian Church

“In Romans 5:3-5 we are told that, ‘…suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character and character, hope.’ We as ‘one nation under God’ are to persevere in prayer and love for our nation, our leaders, and our enemies. Love produces freedom—hate, fear and unforgiveness produces slavery. The battle belongs to the Lord.”

Pastor Bob Paquet,
Hankins Assembly of God, Hankins

“Never does hatred cease by hating in return; only through love can hatred come to an end.…Let us overcome violence by gentleness; let us overcome evil by good.” 

Upper Delaware Unitarian Fellowship verse,
from Dhannapada from the Buddhist religion

“People ask ‘where is God?’  God is in the hands of the surgeon who is attending the wounded, God is in the hands of the rescuers searching through the rubble… God is in the hands of the priest anointing the dying…. The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases.  His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning…”

Fr. Thomas P. Jones,
St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Narrowsburg

Keep the faith...

Compiled by Laurie Stuart and Cass Collins