Empty Chairs: Remembering Lewiston One Year Later (Rangeley)

Details

The Church of the Good Shepherd in Rangeley invites the community to a service of remembrance on the first anniversary of the Lewiston Shootings. The candle-light service will begin at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, October 25, and will feature short readings and prayers, as well as time to reflect at eighteen prayer stations, each set with an empty chair representing one of the lives lost in the tragedy.

The empty chair is a familiar symbol that reaches across secular and religious traditions to represent the mystery of both presence and absence. “To stand in front of an empty chair is to reckon with everything you do not comprehend and yet strive to understand,” says the Rev. Thom Rock, rector of Good Shepherd, “yet our faith teaches us that every empty chair also has its corollary in a seat at that holy table where, with all those we love, we will feast for ever in our heavenly home.” Accordingly, Rock has composed a new hymn text for the occasion: “An Empty Chair,” drawing also upon the message of John 14:1-4.

All are welcome and encouraged to attend this community service. A free will offering will be collected to benefit the One Lewiston Resilience Fund for the facilitation of long-term healing and the creation of a permanent memorial.

For more information, visit: www.goodshepherdrangeley.org or the church’s Facebook Page or call the church office at 207-864-3381.