Interfaith Service of Remembrance and Reflection
An Interfaith Service of Remembrance and Reflection was held on the four-year anniversary of the war, March 20, at First Presbyterian. The event, sponsored by Clergy Peacemakers remembered Americans, Iraqis, and all who have died in the conflict through readings of sacred texts, lighting of candles, recitation of names, and sharing of personal testimonies.
Kristen Swisher, whose husband, Staff Sergeant Christopher W. Swisher, was killed on October 9, 2003, shared her personal reflections on her loss. Her pastor, Rev. Michelle Reed of Southminster United Methodist Church says, “I am proud of Kristen for sharing her journey of loss with the community. Our whole congregation grieved with her when Chris was killed in Iraq. To be touched in this way by the cost of war changes people, and I think we've all been deeply affected by her story.
Swisher is one of 33 American soldiers from Nebraska who have died in the war and one of five from Lincoln.
Clergy officiating in the service included:
Rev. Dr. Brent O. Johnston, First Presbyterian Church
Rev. Dr. Jim Keck, First Plymouth United Church of Christ
Rev. Jim Keyser, Trinity United Methodist
Rev. Dr. Rebecca Brown, East Lincoln Christian Church
Rev. Greg Reed, Warren and Faith United Methodist Churches
Imam Adnan Al‐Jabiri, Al‐Heydaya Islamic Foundation
Rev. James Cummings, Second Baptist Church
Rev. Michelle Reed, Southminster United Methodist Church
Rabbi Ilan Emanuel, Congregation B’nai Jeshuran
Rev. Fritz Hudson, Unitarian Church of Lincoln
Media Report:
KOLN/KGIN TV