(ABOVE) The Revd Nadim Nassar, Barbara J Stephenson (Deputy Chief Of Mission, US Embassy) and Dr Courtney Cowart on BBC TV News.  

Grosvenor Chapel

Awareness Sunday began with a service at Grosvenor Chapel - known as 'The American Church' - in Central London, which provided a memorable occasion for remembrance and reconciliation. The service was attended by families of some of those who lost their lives on 9/11 and by a number who had witnessed firsthand the disaster unfold in New York. A single candle was lit by deputy American ambassador Barbara J. Stephenson, in memory of all who died on 9/11 (see image, above).

The Revd Canon Dr Jim Rosenthal led the service, which was broadcast live on BBC Radio 4 and which featured on BBC TV News output throughout the day. The estimated audience on radio 4 alone was some 2 million. Dr Courtney Cowart, who was at Trinity Wall Street on 9/11, and who ministered to many who were caught up in the tragedy, spoke of her experiences in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks; she described the devastation at Ground Zero and the wonderful way that people of all faiths reacted to the tragedy by coming together to help.

The sermon was delivered by the Revd Nadim Nassar, Director of the Awareness Foundation.

Click below to hear Nadim's sermon! Click here for the text of the sermon.

 

(LEFT) Deputy Ambassador of the United States Barbara Stephenson lights a candle of remembrance during the service in the Grosvenor Chapel. Flanking the USA Deputy Ambassador are the Revd Nadim Nassar, Director of the Awareness Foundation, and Dr Courtney Cowart, a 9/11 survivor, both of whom spoke at the service.

 

 

 

 

 

(RIGHT) The Revd Canon Dr Jim Rosenthal, far right at front, Communications Director of the Awareness Foundation, leads the BBC Radio 4 service on 9/11 in Grosvenor Chapel "The American Church".  Music was provided by the Trinity Laban Singers of Greenwich. In the foreground, the memorial candle waits to be lit.(Photo by Adam)

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St. Paul's Cathedral

Huda Nassar, our Director for the Middle East, read one of the prayers during the service at St. Paul's Cathedral (left).

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Westminster Abbey

In the evening, a special Awareness Sunday service took place at a packed Westminster Abbey, where Dr Cowart spoke further about her experiences and the Revd Nadim Nassar delivered the sermon (see photo, below left). Click here to download the sermon. During the service, Dr Cowart laid a wreath at the Memorial to Innocent Victims (see below). At least 1,500 attended the Westminster Abbey service, including representatives of other faiths.

9/11 survivor Dr Courtney Cowart lays a wreath (right) at the Memorial to Innocent Victims in the forecourt of Westminster Abbey. She was accompanied by the Dean, the Very Revd John Hall, and students from St Marylebone School. The Rt revd Michael Marshall said a prayer as the wreath was laid.(AF photo)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Revd Nadim Nassar (left) preaching to a packed Westminster Abbey.