The Pennsylvania Northeast Chapter of the American Guild of Organists in cooperation with the Greater Pittston Ministerium sponsored an Interfaith Service and Musical Tribute marking the tenth anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks. The service took place at St. John the Evangelist Church in Pittston. Several chapter members performed during the service, which also featured scripture readings from the Talmud, Bible, and Qu’uran, contemporary reflections on September 11, reflective silence, and congregational hymns. A collection was taken for Tuesday’s Children, a charity which “provides support for the families of 9/11 and others impacted by global terrorism.”

Organ selections included an improvisation on Paul Manz’s “God of Grace,” Buxtehude’s “Nun bitten wir den heiligen Geist,” a setting of the “Shalom Aleichem,” “Andante sostenuto” from Widor’s “Symphonie Gothique,” “Poem of Peace” by Langlais, “Be Still, My Soul,” by Sibelius, and an arrangement of “God of Our Fathers.” Members of the “Every Voice Choir” under the direction of Joanne Austin performed two anthems: “Peace Be With You” and “A Prayer for Our Time.” Special thanks to board member Mike Sowa for coordinating the service, Monsignor John Bendik, host pastor, and Joe Holden, host organist.