Churches react to terrorism

"South Whidbey's faithful are finding comfort in churches in the aftermath of Tuesday's terrorist attack against the United States.Last night several churches held prayer services, and formal and informal get-togethers continue this week at various churches.Langley Christian and Missionary Alliance Church quickly organized a vigil last night, joined by several other churches. The purpose, said Pastor Bob Welch, was to hold a prayer vigil for the suffering of loss that touches so many lives and to pray for wisdom for our country's leadership as the tragedy in New York and Washington, D.C. unfolds. Trinity Lutheran Church in Freeland held a similar vigil.The Langley United Methodist Church welcomes all residents to an ongoing 24-hour community vigil continuing this week. Although the church is the location for this vigil and is involved in the coordination of it, this represents a broad response by people of a variety of traditions, said Pastor David Vergin. All members of the community are welcome to participate in this ongoing, 24-hour vigil. There will be opportunities for mindful reflection, prayer, creative expressions and other forms of heartfelt response. Call 221-4233 for more information, or stop by the church at Third and Anthes.St. Hubert Catholic Church in Langley invites the community to a 10:30 a.m. mass this morning, Sept. 12, and to prayers afterward. The sanctuary will remain open.Maxwelton Christian Fellowship plans a 9 a.m. prayer service this morning also, while the First Baptist Church on Newman Road welcomes all to its 7 p.m. service Wednesday.St. Augustine Episcopal in Freeland will convene at 9 a.m. this morning for their prayer and healing service. The church was open all day Tuesday for private prayer, and a prayer service was held from 6-8 p.m.All churches welcome people to come to them with special needs and requests in this time of national crisis. "