September 6, 2002

Remembering the unforgettable: The Sept. 11 anniversary

Most people remember where they were on that fateful day--Sept. 11, 2001--one of the most tragic events in the history of this nation. No one could have envisioned that terrorists would attack the United States on its own soil. The world seemed to change forever.

As the anniversary draws near, many people are struggling with what they will be doing that day to acknowledge that life-changing event. To give members of the MGH community a place to come together to remember those who died last year, the MGH Chaplaincy will be hosting a memorial service Sept. 11 at 11:30 am in the O'Keeffe Auditorium. It will be broadcast to patient rooms on MGH television (Channel 16) and teleconferenced to the Haber Conference Room, located across from the O'Keeffe. The service also will be teleconferenced to the MGH Charlestown, Chelsea, Revere and North End health centers. In addition, two separate services will be offered to employees at CNY--one at 8:30 am on the back lawn of One Constitution Center and the other at 10 am in the atrium of Building 149.

Planning for such an occasion started several months ago by a Chaplaincy committee made up of Michael McElhinny, chaplain for the Cancer Center; Rev. Linda Knight, interfaith chaplain; Sheila Crowell, administrative coordinator for Chaplaincy; along with Rev. Mary Martha Thiel, director of the MGH Chaplaincy.

"We wanted to create an environment in which people of all religions and spiritualities or of no particular religion could come together to reflect on what happened," says McElhinny. "People may be experiencing many feelings--loss, anger, vulnerability, a new-found appreciation for life and family or a deep desire for hope and peace. All of these feelings need to be honored and respected."

The service will include chaplains from many faiths and traditions sharing readings of poetry and prose. Reflective music also will be played during the service. A banner will be displayed, depicting various cultural messages of peace. Bookmarks imprinted with a message of peace and remembrance will be given to all participants provided as a courtesy of Partners HealthCare administration. The Employee Assistance Program will have information tables set up near the O'Keeffe Auditorium with literature about coping with loss and handling stress.

"We want to keep the service quiet and reflective," says Knight. "In planning such an important anniversary event, we felt that simplicity was best."

McElhinny adds: "Working in the Chaplaincy Department, we are well aware of the significance of the first anniversary of any kind of loss. During the last few weeks many people have been talking about those tragic events and the upcoming anniversary. We hope that this service will be a way for people to get in touch with the strength that comes from the company of friends and colleagues here in the MGH community."

For more information about the Sept. 11 anniversary service at the MGH, call the Chaplaincy Department at (617) 726-2220.