Liverpool, NY -- Members of different communities of faith gathered Thursday night to spread a message of solidarity and love to the people affected by the oil spill in Gulf Coast region. “This is not an issue that will be over once the waters have been cleansed and the visible oil is all gone,” said the Rev. Tiffany Steinwert,...
Grace Shetler of Central Square, a member of the First Baptist Church of Central Square, helps make greeting cards for citizens of the Gulf Coast area prior to an interfaith prayer service for the gulf coast Thursday at Willow Bay in Liverpool. Liverpool, NY -- Members of different communities of faith gathered Thursday night to spread a message of solidarity and love to the people affected by the oil spill in Gulf Coast region.
“This is not an issue that will be over once the waters have been cleansed and the visible oil is all gone,” said the Rev. Tiffany Steinwert, Dean at Hendricks Chapel at Syracuse University. “This is not an issue that will be gone in weeks, or months. No, my friends, if we are to rebuild that city, that region, we must join together and commit ourselves to years of work in solidarity with the people of the Gulf region.”
About two dozen people gathered under the Williow Bay pavilion at Long Branch Park to take part in an interfaith prayer service for the Gulf Coast region, which was organized by the InterFaith Works Roundtable of Faith Leaders.
“Our message to the people of the Gulf Coast region is that we have not forgotten you,” said Gloria Heffernan, of InterFaith Works of Central New York.
The group also blessed more than 200 cards that were made by adults and children in CNY for the children of the St. Bernard Parish school district in coastal Louisiana.
Steinwert asked the audience to recommit themselves to the Gulf and explore the many avenues for service and assistance.
“Will you today stand in solidarity with the people of the Gulf?” she asked. “Together we can bring about new life and change. But only together.”