Words of appreciation …

Christian Century, Oct 24, 2001 by Rob Elder, Rebekah Simon-Peter, Dee H. Wade

I HAVE ALWAYS liked your work, but the September 26-October 3 issue was exceptional. Your articles and perspectives on the events of September 11 were as helpful and thoughtful as any I have seen, and better than most.

I am particularly struck that you took the time and space to include eyewitness accounts as well as the excellent opening editorial, the ever-thoughtful words of Barbara Brown Taylor, the very useful items by Jon Gunnemann, Gilbert Meilaender and Trudy Bush, and of course James Wall and Martin Marty.

Rob Elder
First Presbyterian Church,
Salem, Ore.

As a subscriber since seminary days, I have found the CHRISTIAN CENTURY to be interesting and provocative reading. But I have found it to be absolutely essential reading in the past few weeks. As I struggled to say something comforting and challenging--as well as theologically sound--to my people in recent weeks, I welcomed the arrival of my CENTURY as never before. In particular, the entire "In the face of evil" issue (Sept. 26-Oct. 3), John Buchanan's "To think and act anew" (Oct. 10) and the editorial "What's changed?" (Oct. 17) have been greatly helpful. Thank you.

Rebekah Simon-Peter
First United Methodist Church,
Rawlins, Wyo.

Martin Marty recognizes the "people whose year-in, year-out steadfastness" pays the bills and keeps the church doors open for times like these, and who keep alive the "vocabulary of prayer" and the "stories that give meaning" ("America at prayer," Sept. 26-Oct. 3).

While we in the local church appreciate Marty's thoughts, they also fit him, you and all the people who work at your fine magazine. Because you all faithfully attend to your duty in times when there is no particular crisis to speak of, you were in position to publish an extraordinary issue about the terrorist attacks. Just when many ministers like myself were out of words to articulate both our feelings and our faith, the CENTURY arrived, promising depth with its somber cover and its title, "In the face of evil." I found refreshment, insight and energy to rejoin the challenge of these days. Thank you.

Dee H. Wade
Anchorage Presbyterian Church,
Anchorage, Ky.