9/11: When Church Moved Into the Street

Today is the anniversary of 9/11.

One of my most vivid memories has to do with a decision I made shortly after that horrible day. I decided to move back to New York and get involved with Metro Ministries (now called Metro World Child).

New York City had been my home for eight years before heading back to the Midwest. So, I wanted to do something hands-on by joining Metro Ministries, helping them in their outreach to kids.

During our internship, which began the February after 9/11, one of the first things we did was visit Ground Zero, which was still an active site. 24 hours a day relief workers were continuing to sort through the rubble, searching for the remains of those who had perished.

There were gigantic flood lights around the enormous hole that had been the World Trade Center Towers, giving it a very eerie feel. And around the iron gate of St. Paul's Church there were hundreds of memorials taped up. St. Paul's was close to Ground Zero and the Church opened its doors to relief workers. People from all over New York came there and put up "Have You Seen?" flyers along with impromptu memorials (which ran the range from children's drawings of their missing family members to teddy bears). It was evidence of the emotional turmoil that still bled from a gigantic spiritual wound. 

In fact, there were so many memento-type items taped along the wrought iron gate that you could hardly see the gate anymore. 

I remember traveling from Brooklyn (where the ministry was headquartered) into Manhattan and almost every street had "Have You Seen?" or "In Memory Of" flyers taped to light poles. Some had little votive candles. The whole city was in a state of mourning for its deceased and the pain went very public. So much so that church had moved into the street.

There was an increased police presence at the subway entrances and in public gathering places. And I remember feeling, "will this sense of loss ever go away?"

The answer to that question, of course, was no. You never completely forget or get over a tragedy this big. One death of someone you love is enough to teach you that.

However, what I did learn is that gradually, very gradually, the immediacy of the pain receded. It receded a little every time our ministry team engaged a group of kids with Sidewalk Sunday School. Each time our Sidewalk Sunday School team visited our designated neighborhoods in Harlem and ministered to the kids, a little bit of hope came through.

It took some time, but eventually love began to win out over anger, shock and confusion.

I remained at Metro Ministries, staying on staff for 14 months and I look back at that time as sacred. 

P.S. What do YOU remember about the aftermath of 9/11? Feel free to share!

Photo Credit: www.followme.org