Lutherans remember and heal at holy ground   Commemoration event held Sept 8 at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Manhattan

"This church is holy ground," said Bishop Stephen Bouman as he spread his arms wide open at Holy Trinity, Manhattan.

It's holy ground because it was the exact place where mourners spontaneously gathered on Sept. 11, 2001, to pray and to process the events of that tragic day.

It was also the place where Dr. Bouman met with his colleague, Dr. David Benke, President of the Atlantic District, Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, to discuss plans to launch Lutheran Disaster Response of New York (LDRNY).

Bishop Bouman gathered with Dr. Benke again on Sept. 8, 2006 -- five years after the attack on New York -- for a special Comfort & Renew event to commemorate and honor 9/11 victims.

With Holy Trinity's Bach Singers providing music, the church once again provided a safe haven for Lutherans to remember, to pray and to heal. 

"We remember that through it all, God will be with us,"Bishop Bouman said. "How we long for one another. For the warmth and the wonder of the human heart. We began to heal at this holy ground."

A day when everything made sense; nothing made sense

"I remember everything from Sept. 11, 2001."

"Covered with dust and ash, it doesn't go away,"  said Dr. David Benke, President of the Atlantic District, Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, and Vice President of Lutheran Disaster Response of New York.

Speaking at the Comfort & Renew Commemoration event at Holy Trinity, Manhattan, he added, "Everything made sense and nothing made sense. We were holding on for dear life."

"We realized we were all in the same boat, the same life boat. And everything depended on Christ."

Dr. Benke reminded us that LDRNY is still providing comfort and renewal to people still affected by Sept. 11. "People are flying below the radar with big holes in their lives."

But thanks to God, "we've come this far by faith. And we've brought comfort and renewal to thousands of people through LDRNY. We were led by God's grace, and I'm thankful for it."

To see photos of LDRNY's fourth annual fellowship dinner, click here.  Special thanks to our sponsors, Capell, Barnett, Matalon and Shoenfeld, LLP, Heroes Sportswear, and Griffin Communications.