Setauket Presbyterian Hosts 9/11 Service

More than 150 people gathered at Setauket Presbyterian Church Sunday for a special interfaith 9/11 memorial service led by a number of local religious leaders.

Prayers for victims of the attacks were offered from Christian, Jewish and Muslim traditions. Reverend Elizabeth Braddon of and Ismael Zahed of the Islamic Association of Long Island led prayers in their respective traditions. Rabbi Howard Hoffman of the North Shore Jewish Center was joined by cantor Daniel Kramer in leading their own.

Rabbi Stephen Karol of recited a poem translated from Hebrew before cantor Ted Labow took to the podium to sing a wordless song of Jewish tradition with which the audience joined in.

For one 10-minute segment, attendees were invited to form groups of three and to take turns talking about how the attacks affected or changed their lives. 

Father Robert Smith of led a litany for the anniversary which addressed the loss of life and the sacrifices made since, as well as mistakes:

Smith: "In striving for national security and domestic peace we see that we run the risk of confusing might for right and participating in the very behaviors we condemn."

All: "Guard and guide our country that in our search for security we may not trample the rights of the innocent nor disregard the rule of law."

Smith: "We place fresh confidence in international organizations and conversations that bring the diverse gifts of the world to the problems of poverty, injustice, terror and strife."

All: "We long for wise policies that forego short term gain for long term stability, justice and peace."

At the service's end, people were asked to take a flower as they filed out as a take-home reminder of those lost 10 years ago.