A solemn day

Deirdre Newman and Deepa Bharath

Newport Beach resident Alice Wrate watched the National Prayer Service

in Washington, D.C., on television Friday morning. Then, during her lunch

hour, she went to St. James Episcopal Church to continue the healing

process in her own neighborhood.

“I feel a little more renewed and part of the community,” Wrate said.

The prayer service at the Newport Beach church attracted people of all

denominations as the Revs. Richard Menees and Lisa Golden focused on the

Christian spirit of compassion, faith and hope for the future.

“Our task now is not so much to be better and seek revenge, but to get

better as a people and seek transformation,” Menees said.

The noon service was one of two offered by the church Friday and

provided a convenient time for people to unite in prayer for the victims

of the tragic terrorist attacks on the East Coast on Tuesday. The service

featured special prayers written for the nation in its “time of disaster

and mourning.”

The entire office of Robbins, Jorgensen, Christopher Architects in

Newport Beach showed their solidarity by coming to the prayer service

together.

“We’re all different religions in this office, and we just came,” said

Kristine Steffen, who is Lutheran. “I think I feel more unified as a U.S.

citizen.”

Menees reminded the congregation that although the attacks took place

3,000 miles away, the enormous loss resonates within the local community.

“We may think ourselves fortunate because we were spared, but for many

the pain is close and we extend our hearts to you.”

The service provided an outlet for Maureen Muler and her friends from

Woodland Hills who were visiting Newport Beach for a few days and were

looking for a place to pray.

“It was a beautiful, compassionate service,” Muler said. “I think we

all need to release this way and cry as a community.”

Giovanni Cirocco of Newport Beach stressed that the country needs God

more than ever now, especially as national leaders prepare for a military

retaliation.

“I can’t think of anything more uplifting than to come here,” Cirocco

said, adding that he believes any military response should be carried out

cautiously after a lot of prayer.

Cheryl Peters of Costa Mesa came to the service with her husband and

family.

“I just feel, like everybody, it’s time to come together and pray,”

Peters said. “God uses people’s prayers in many ways.”

Peters husband, Gary, pointed out the profound timing of the daily

Scripture calendar for Sept. 11 -- the day of the attacks -- which reads:

“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray

. . . then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will

heal their land.”

At Calvary Christian Church in Costa Mesa, they did not have a

structured service. But they offered an opportunity for community members

to come in and spend some quiet moments in reflection and prayer.

Many said they were not regular visitors to the church but felt the

urge and the need to knock on its doors on this solemn day.

About 35 people came to the noon service. They sat in the dark prayer

room, lighted only by a few flickering candles and chandeliers. The only

sounds that could be heard in the large room were sighs and sniffles.

Some were visibly crying. Some were reading the Bible or sat with

seemingly vacant stares while many others joined their hands in prayer,

their heads bowed.

Lisa Danese and Angela Machado, who work near the church, decided to

walk in and spend a few minutes praying.

“I guess I’m praying for hope and paying my respects,” Danese said.

“I’m praying that people can go on, learn from this experience and become

stronger.”

Danese added the country should do what it takes to rout out

terrorism.

“It’s horrible,” she said. “It definitely needs to be stopped.”

A feeling of hope is all-important at a time like this, Angela Priola

said.

“Without hope, we don’t have anything,” she said. “I believe in the

power of prayer and our whole nation is praying together today.”

* Deirdre Newman covers education. She may be reached at (949)

574-4221 or by e-mail at o7 [email protected] .

* Deepa Bharath covers public safety and courts. She may be reached at

(949) 574-4226 or by e-mail at o7 [email protected] .