The community is invited to pause with members of the Dexter First United Methodist on Saturday in an ecumenical service of remembrance for 9-11.
The service will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 10 at the “gathering spot” – the grassy property across from Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home on Stoddard Street in Downtown Dexter. The open-air service is open to all.
“We invite our friends and neighbors to join us Saturday as we pause and remember that tragic day 10 years ago,” said Loretta Reid, of the local United Methodist Church. “Many of us remember our community coming together in grief and fear and shock 10 years ago in a community time of worship. This service will provide us the opportunity to remember the events of that day, and the sorrow and grief that swept across our nation.”
The service, she said, offers a chance to “observe this anniversary in a way that offers hope and to remember that God brings light into all darkness.”
Readers for the service will include Carol Beam, Bill Pippins, Jr., Delores Bailiff; scripture will be given by Dr. Larry Colvin of the First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), and the opening and prayer offered by Michael Woods, pastor of the First United Methodist Church.
Music will be offered by the First United Methodist Chancel Choir under the direction of MaryRuth Boone and a special musical tribute offered by Scott Nelson.
The service on Saturday is the culmination of a busy day for United Methodists in Dexter. The local congregation will be participating in SERVE2011, a statewide project amount United Methodist churches.
As a part of SERVE 2011, the church is sponsoring an American Red Cross Blood Drive from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. at Wesley Hall on the First UMC campus on North Walnut Street in Dexter.
Serve 2011 is a collaborative experience among the congregations of the Missouri Conference of the United Methodist Church. Each congregation in Missouri is challenged to serve their community outside the walls of their church the weekend of Sept. 10-11 and beyond. Through Serve 2011, Missouri United Methodists will declare that “the church has left the building” by reaching out to their communities.
In case of bad weather on Saturday afternoon, the 9-11 Service of Remembrance will be moved to the United Methodist Church on South Walnut Street.
Photo Above: Lorette Reid (left) and MaryRuth Boone discuss the plans for the community 9011 Service of Remembrance schedule for Saturday, Sept. 10. (SMT Photo)
