1. the Rev. Dr. Sofía Betancourt, Ph.D., current president, Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations

In the name of all that we hold Holy,
guided by an abundance of Love,
help us lean into one another,
across communities and memory and faiths,
to make of this anniversary a time of remembrance,
of learning, of reconnection and repair.

Let the meaning of this day be defined
by those whose lives were forever changed by it,
as we work to resist and disrupt narratives of hate
once again surging against beloved kin.

Today may we make time to mourn, and to reflect
on all that led up to 9-11 and all that has been waged in its name.
May we remind one another of what it means
to center love and justice in our daily living,
and may we find ways to make our everyday choices a living prayer.

We do this in community, to renew our hope for the future and our commitment to our shared values. We do this as a people of faith.  May it be so. Amen, Axé, and Blessed Be.

2. the Rev. William Sinkford, who had begun serving as  president of Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations in July of 2021 and who was at an interfaith conference in Washington, DC, on September 11 of 2021.

Spirit of Life and of Love,

We remember, some of us, and the rest of us have heard the stories,

of that day 25 years ago when the world seemed to shift.  September 11, 2001.

The world did shift, but it did not shift equally or even in only one direction.

9/11

The first time since that other day that will live in infamy that US soil had been attacked by foreign actors.

The day when thousands of innocents died, when this nation felt vulnerable, felt violated.

The day when America First was reborn, a War on Terror was created, a stronger foundation for Make America Great Again laid.

The day it became clear that much of the world saw America not as a dream of equality and opportunity, but America as Empire.

The day when Islamophobia was moved to the top of the long list of reasons to fear our neighbors.

The day when Arab looking people replaced Black folks as the most dangerous faces in America.

Great spirit, help us remember 9/11 and the many lessons we need to learn.

Help us become those who expand our circle of caring, not contract it to those who seem most similar to ourselves.

Help us resist both the calls to hate and the invitation to see ourselves as innocent.

Help us hold more of the truth.

We are not asked to be perfect, but we are called to be honest,

We are called to build a community worthy of being called Beloved.

Ase and Amen