It is a time of national grief and sorrow. It is also a time for gathering, for strength and for prayer. Our hearts are open to all those who have been personally affected by this national tragedy. United Methodist Churches will be holding prayer vigils throughout the world tonight and tomorrow night. We invite you to join us in praying for wisdom, comfort and healing in this difficult time.

The Council of Bishops of The United Methodist Church is calling on all churches and members throughout the world to participate in a prayer vigil tonight, Tuesday, Sept. 11, and Wednesday, Sept. 12. Please take initiative to organize this vigil in cooperation with your church members.

This is a time to put into action what we know in our hearts and what we are striving to commit to be reality -- that our hearts, our minds and our doors are TRULY open.

In addition to prayers, we ask that:

• contributions be made for disaster relief through your local church to United Methodist Committee on Relief (Designate your contributions to UMCOR's Advance #901125-3, Love in the Midst of Tragedy. )
• blood be donated through your local blood bank.
• United Methodist Communications, at the request of the Council lf Bishops, has also changed the message of our national television commercials which invite persons to our local churches for prayers vigils tonight and tomorrow night.

May God be with us all during this time.

Council of Bishops
Bishop Elias Galvan, Seattle Area, president

GBGM Photo: View of the Destruction of the World Trade Center from the Interchurch Center, upper west side of Manhattan.

More Information

• New Statement by Council of Bishops
• UMCOR Responds to National Disaster
• Americans Stunned by Terrorist Acts, Disaster News Network, September, 11, 2001