I did a little something tonight, mostly for a selfish reason --- I wanted to feel better.
I went to an ecumenical community services of prayers for the people of Haiti, held at St. Julian's Catholic Church in Middlesboro, Kentucky.
I was one of three people from St. Mary's Episcopal Church in Middlesboro who attended. The other two were lesbian couple, one of whom provided the music for the service.
There were about 100 people present, mostly Catholic, but I'm sure other religious denominations were represented.
At the beginning of the service, those gathered were asked for names of people who might be affected by the earthquake in Haiti. I was surprised to learn that there were three people from the Middlesboro area, which includes parts of southwest Virginia and northeast Tennessee. who were in harm's way when the earthquake hit.
I said I did not know any names, but had read of 85 survivors from an old folks' home that had collapsed and were now out on the streets, injured. They had come to the nursing home to die peacefully and now would have to finish the process with broken backs and limbs, amidst rats sniffing at their not-dead bodies.
These unknown elderly were added to the list, with a notation that they were less than one fraction of the total number of people suffering.
And then I did the only other thing I could do. I prayed, along with the others who were present, for God's love and peace to come upon all of his children, here and in Haiti, now and at the hour of our death.
My friend, who provided music, played Samuel Barber's "Adagio for Strings" on the piano. A melancholy piece, often used for events of public mourning.
During the service, we lit candles in memory of the dead and held them for the remainder of the hour of worship. Afterwards, I went to the front of the chapel and lit several candles in memory of specific people who are constantly in my prayers. My parents; three deceased friends; my crazy sister; myself. And one for the people of Haiti.
When I stepped back from lighting the candles, I saw, to my surprise, that combined with the candles that were already lit by others, they formed a perfect peace sign.
I left the service with a calmness I haven't felt for some time. However long it lasts, it was a good little experience.
