New York City: in the wake of
September 11...

Following the multiple tragedies in the United States on September 11, the American Bible Society (ABS), its offices just three miles away from New York’s Twin Towers, moved swiftly into action.

The ABS web site quickly displayed a statement declaring its grief and prayers while affirming God’s presence and protection, the Society distributed Bibles to city missions and set about preparing a special Scripture Portion. Available first of all as a download from the ABS web site, within days it was being handed out in thousands. Volunteers had the chance to see the horror of ‘Ground Zero’ at close hand (top) while taking the Portion to hospitals, missions and churches in the worst-hit area and giving it out to rescue workers (left). Meanwhile, prayer meetings and counselling sessions were held for ABS staff.

Dr Eugene Habecker, President of the ABS, with copies of the special Scripture Portion God Is Our Shelter and Strength in hand, offered words of support and encouragement to rescue workers at ‘Ground Zero’ (above) nine days after the attack. Dr Habecker, who knew the World Trade Center well, said the devastation was “unspeakable and indescribable”. Sheltering from the rain, Rich Stearns (below, left) President of the charity World Vision US, a rescue worker and Dr Habecker prayed together. More than a thousand Scripture Portions were distributed during the visit.

As the days went by, the ABS ministry grew: 500 Bibles were given to the military chaplains at the Pentagon in Washington, where the third hijacked aircraft had been crashed, and the Society met requests for thousands of Scripture Portions by the Salvation Army. Requests for copies of the special Scripture Portion were boosted by press and radio advertisements, and less than 14 days after the attacks 500,000 Scriptures had been distributed and the Portion was about to be reprinted for the third time.

On September 23, Yankee Stadium, in the Bronx, was the venue for a special Service entitled Prayer For America (right and below). Some 20,000 people attended and ABS volunteers distributed 12,000 Scriptures. “It was a moving experience for us all,” said Dr Habecker. “One of the common themes was that an event like this causes every person, every family – and, I would add, every organisation – to sort out what is really important – what really matters. And I know each of us has been challenged to think about our foundations.”

The ABS web site at www.americanbible.org has downloadable Scriptures, articles and words of encouragement published in the wake of the attacks on the United States. To read accounts by Dr Habecker of the activities of the ABS following September 11, please go to ‘ABS leads biblical response to the tragic events’. See also Latest News #162 and 163, both of which are concerned with Bible Societies’ responses to the attacks, and the Emergency Appeal issued from the UBS World Service Center on October 3.