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Lutheran Central |
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Deaconess Gives Opinion After Seeing 9-11 Buildings Fall |
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It might be simple enough to state that as a Lutheran in New York City I know Dr. Benke. Simple enough, because to borrow from (and add to) an old song...to know him is to love and respect him. But may I take you back ten months to those awful days of September. From my office building, I watched two buildings fall to the ground. We simultaneously watched, not fully comprehending, the fire outside of our window supplemented with the full horror on television. We knew we were "stuck" on an island -- all exits off were closed. When New York's bridges and tunnels opened after a time of shutdown, I walked, along with thousands of other horrified, scared New Yorkers across a bridge to my home -- the sky blazing with fire. Ten colleagues of mine, people I dealt with every day of the workweek, died. Night after night I joined with neighbors at our firehouse to be with them at a wake - a wake for twelve men who were missing, presumed dead. I went to countless church services in those first few days - where I'd meet strangers and hear their stories of loved ones lost. I remember meeting a young woman who was silently crying. "Is someone you know missing?" I asked. "Yes, my brother." My brother, my sister, my husband, my wife, my mom, my dad. Such was life in these early days in the shadow of September 11. These few sentences could be written by thousands of New Yorkers. Unfortunately, this is not just one person's story. Like millions of others, I found myself never far from the television in these early days after the attack. One may recall that all programming was moved from regular programming to full-news coverage. Hearing many promos for the event at Yankee Stadium, I had actually decided not to watch it. That decision was based on the fact that it was promoted as a "civic" event - and I wasn't up to songs of patriotism and speeches by politicians. I needed comfort instead. I remember our church service that Sunday morning - as a congregation we cried. We met in small groups afterwards to talk about the attacks - we shared our stories and cried a bit more. No, I needed comfort that day, not more speeches! But, the television was on I and I became drawn in to the Yankee Stadium event. Early on, as the camera panned the assembled guests, I spotted Dr. Benke. I can recall that moment as one of the first moments of peace that I had felt in days. Not, perhaps, because of even who he is, but because he was "mine" - a Lutheran pastor. Just his presence brought comfort. And, again, this, unfortunately, is not just one person's story; Dr. Benke's presence brought comfort to many in the pan-Lutheran community and certainly beyond. Pastors are ordained and given the gift
of preaching, teaching, administering Christ's sacraments. They are
called to congregations and invited into the most personal moments of one's
life. Do those involved with the decision in Dr. Benke's suspension
and those who support this decision cherish that title, pastor, I'm led to
wonder. Do they know that their presence, as pastor, can actually bring
calm...bring peace to a person in the most difficult of times. But I'll just state it simply...as a Lutheran in New York City I know Dr. Benke. And to know him is to love and respect him. Deacon Eileen Smith
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