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"MEMORIAL SERVICE" by DIANA, Jan. 28, 1986 at 22:51 MT FOR THE CHALLENGER CREWThis is an interactive Memorial Service for the crew of the Challenger, their families, for school-children, for anyone who was shocked in disbelief by the TV pictures yesterday. It is more than that, it is an opportunity to touch on deep realities of our life and our own death. Curt Ackley, Michael Henderson, Jim Collie and Gordon Laird all minister to people in grief. We have joined in creating an experience which we hope will help all of us to deal corporately and creatively with those feelings. You will be invited at certain times to share your thoughts and feelings or you are welcome to read what others have written and be silent. Join us now in Worship
1 (of 14) DGLAIRD Jan. 29, 1986 at 19:21 MT
BULLETIN OF WORSHIP
MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR THE CHALLENGER CREW"UNISON NETWORK - WEDNESDAY JANUARY 29, 1986
7PM PST - 10PM EST
NOTE 2: OPENING PASSAGES OF SCRIPTURE
NOTE 3: PRAYER OF APPROACH - CURT ACKLEY
NOTE 4: PRAYER OF CONFESSION - JIM COLLIE
NOTE 5: ASSURANCE OF PARDON - MICHAEL HENDERSON
NOTE 6: SCRIPTURE READING - GORDON LAIRD
NOTE 7: BRANCH - "RESPONSE TO PSALM 8"
NOTE 8: PRAYERS - CURT ACKLEY
NOTE 9: BRANCH - "COMMUNITY PRAYERS"
NOTE 10: OFFERING OF OURSELVES - JIM COLLIE
NOTE 11: BRANCH - "COMMUNITY OFFERINGS"
NOTE 12: BENEDICTION - MICHAEL HENDERSON2 (of 14) DGLAIRD Jan. 29, 1986 at 19:23 MT
Opening Scripture: from Psalm 90:
The years of our life are threescore and ten
or even by reason of strength fourscore
yet their span is but toil and trouble
they are soon gone, and we fly away...So teach us to number our days that we may get
a heart of wisdom3 (of 14) CACKLEY Jan. 29, 1986 at 19:24 MT
Prayer of Approach
Let us unite our hearts and minds in prayer, knowing that even in our deepest grief, God is there to hear us, and to share our pain. Let us pray.Oh Lord, our eyes are dimmed by the impact of the world upon us. What was to be an exciting moment of discovery and wonder, has become for us a challenge instead to our faith. What might have been another miracle of our own understanding, has become instead a series of unanswered questions. We humbly ask that you accept us as we come before you; that you wipe the darkness of our doubts away. Open our eyes that we may look upon the heavens with new awe. Open our hearts so that we may be receptive to Your word. Accept our gifts of thanksgiving and praise, as we embrace You, oh God, our eternal hope.
And share with us as we remember your servants,
Ellison Onizuka,
Francis Scobee,
Judy Resnik,
Gregory Jarvis,
Ronald McNair,
Mike Smith, and
Christa McAuliffe. Amen.4 (of 14) JIMCOLLIE Jan. 29, 1986 at 19:25 MT
A Prayer of Confession:
Creator of Stars and Planets,
- you have created universes of unimaginable splendor
and life of incredible diversity,
- and have given us curiosity and imagination as good gifts:
- turn our pride into humility,
forgive overconfidence which makes us believe we may escape evil.Loving Parent,
- like a mother you knew us before we were born
and like a father you have carried us in your heart,
- yet the suddenness of fiery death scares us still,
forcing us to remember our own frailty;
- we are afraid: hold us close and keep us safe.Giver of Visions,
- help us when we falter and loose your way
or question the future you have given us;
- lest tragedy make us timid, or fear of loss breed distrust:
- give us your courage; lead us forth in light.To your name be glory forever and ever.
5 (of 14) MBH Jan. 29, 1986 at 19:29 MT
Assurance of Pardon:
Hear the Good News-As high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is God's love for those who respect God;
As far as the east is from the west,
so far has God removed our transgressions from us.God has reconciled the world
and given us all the ministry of reconciliation.In the name of the Sovereign who loves us and has sacrificed for us
we are forgiven.
Thanks be to God! Amen.6 (of 14) DGLAIRD Jan. 29, 1986 at 19:31 MT
This is the Word of God as it is written in PSALM 8 (Revised Standard Version)
O Lord, our Lord,
how majestic is thy name in all the earth!
Thou whose glory above the heavens is chanted
by the mouth of babes and infants,
thou has founded a bulwark because of the foes,
to still the enemy and the avenger.When I look at thy heavens, the work of thy fingers,
the moon and the stars which thou has established;
what is man [humankind] that thou art mindful of him,
and the son of man that thou dost care for him?Yet thou has hath him a little less than God.
and dost crown him with glory and honor.
Thou has given him dominion over the works of thy hands;
thou hast put all things under his feet,
all sheep and oxen,
and also the beasts of the field,
the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea,
whatever passes along the paths of the sea.O Lord, our Lord,
how majestic is thy name in all the earth!This is the Word of God!
**** Branching off of "MEMORIAL SERVICE" as note 7 of 14
"RESPONSE TO PSALM 8"
by DGLAIRD, Jan. 29, 1986 at 19:32 MTA place to respond to the scripture reading.
1 (of 3) DGLAIRD Jan. 29, 1986 at 19:59 MT
I think of the Hebrew people some 2800 years ago, looking up at the stars in the small country of Palestine. The nights would be very clear. No smoke. No haze. And looking up
Beyond that wonder came another wonder. Why had Yahweh favoured His people so. Why had he made them in the King James terms: a little lower than the angels? Why had he given mankind to rule over sheep and goats. Trees and mountains?
And to us it is still a wonder. Why God entrusts us with so much, when in so many ways we are not trustworthy.
Remember when it was said, "One small step for man, One giant step for mankind?" What is the step that took place yesterday? A step along the path or a stumble?
But God has also given us inquiring minds. God put in us the quality, the ability to search, to reach. Search must always exceed our grasp, or what's a heaven for?
"O Lord, our Lord,
How majestic is thy name in all the earth!"
This is a truly interactive reflection on the Word of God. Please add you own reflection!2 (of 3) MBH Jan. 29, 1986 at 20:23 MT
As I look out my window, see the trees, stars, mountains in the distance, and hear the Psalm echoing in the back of my mind, I think about what I can do to be a part of this creation. Do in a sense of fitting in. God has ordered it all, and it seems that it is only we humans who have the opportunity to be against it. I wonder how I can be a part of it so as to add to the majesty of the Name. There is something out there that calls to something deep with Spirit. Let me have ears to hear, and eyes to see.
3 (of 3) CRAMER Jan. 29, 1986 at 20:26 MT
Our mortality which is so often considered weakness is itself the creation of God the Almighty, and in God's continuing creation story I feel the seven astronauts yesterday were crowned with glory and honor. Not our glory and honor, that we have heaped upon them, but God's own glory and honor, bestowed by the Creator on them. They have their spirits set free. Christa was quoted as saying she took the "spirits" of her nine closest teacher colleagues-in-training with her. Someone on the radio here said yes, she took all our spirits with her. Back to the Creator. Bob.
8 (of 14) CACKLEY Jan. 29, 1986 at 19:33 MT
Prayers of the People
There is a special bond that draws us all together today. We are bound by knowledge, through a network which is the culmination of our learnings through centuries of discovery and invention. Many of us have never met. We know many among us only as names and words on our screens or printed pages. Nor do most of us know those whose memory we honor today. But we are all fully known by One who has all the blueprints of each of us. Let us then join confidently in prayer, knowing that we are not alone. While we can't see the link that bonds us together, it is every bit as real as the one that bonds us with our God.I will offer some thoughts, and then I invite your intentions-- your own prayers. They may be added to the branch conference which follows this note. Please join it-- and join us in prayer.
**** Branching off of "MEMORIAL SERVICE" as note 9 of 14
"COMMUNITY PRAYERS"
by CACKLEY, Jan. 29, 1986 at 19:34 MTThe place for your community prayers.
1 (of 3) CACKLEY Jan. 29, 1986 at 19:36 MT
O LORD, You have filled us with a desire to know all things, yet there are some things that remain unknowable to us. Still we strive to learn, to grow-- And we encounter pain, and loss. We turn our eyes to the great mysteries of the universe, which You have made-- and discover the fragility of the life which You have placed within us.
Speak to us at the depth of that pain, we pray--
Lord, hear our prayer.
For the families of each of those who gave their lives in their own Challenge to the unknown--
Lord, hear our prayer.
For June (Kent) Scobee, wife of Francis, commander of the Challenger-- and for their children Kathie and Richard-- may the tenderness of Your grace come upon them--
Lord, hear our prayer.
For Jane Smith, wife of Pilot Mike Smith, and children Scott, Alison, and 8-year old Erin,
Lord, hear our prayer.
For Cheryl, and infants Reginald and Joy McNair, family of researcher Ronald McNair-- be with them--
Lord, hear our prayer.
For Lorna, Janelle and Darien Onizuka, in their thoughts of Ellison; for all those who remember Judy Resnik, her life, her art, her music; for Marcia Jarvis, at the loss of her husband Gregory-- our hearts reach out for You, for Your comfort--
Lord, hear our prayer.
And for Christa McAuliffe's family-- husband Steve, children Scott and Caroline-- we offer our prayers. Christa would have taught us of the stars; we learn from her the power of life. We learn never to take for granted the gift we are each given. We ask that all of us might know of Your grace in time of grief, and that through our tears, we may see more clearly the wonder of Your hand--
Lord, hear our prayer.
We invite your prayers:
2 (of 3) MBH Jan. 29, 1986 at 20:29 MT
Lord God, hear our prayers together for all who suffer tonight. Teach us to learn from our ways and to bind ourselves together. Let your love show forth through us. And give us wisdom to use our knowledge for the good of all your people.
Where there is lack of understanding, grant us patience.
Thank you for living in and among us. For your presence beyond understanding.
Amen.
3 (of 3) CRAMER Jan. 29, 1986 at 20:31 MT
Creator, Sustainer, Informer,
give us the wild, free imagination to imagine You speaking from the Ball of Fire as You spoke to Moses from a Burning Bush.
And give us the sense that You are our destiny so we can say, after protesting that we are not as strong as we would want to be, okay, God, I'll join in leading Your people to the Promised Land. Wherever and whatever that is. Amen.
4 (of 7) WILKINS Jan. 30, 1986 at 11:31 MT
O God of spirits and of all flesh, who has trampled down Death and made powerless the Devil, and given life to thy world: Do Thou, the same Lord, give rest to the souls of Thy departed servants, in a place of brightness, a place of verdure, a place of repose, whence all sickness, sorrow and sighing have fled away. Pardon every sin which they have committed, whether by word, or deed, or thought; for thou art good, and lovest humankind: for there is no person who liveth and sinneth not, and Thou only art without sin, and Thy righteousness is to all eternity, and Thy law is truth.
5 (of 7) GUNDEGA Jan. 31, 1986 at 22:21 MT
If hearts can stay open, dear God, dear Friends, let them stay open now. Let the shock of these public deaths awaken us to the keenness of private deaths, private burdens, unknown pain. Help us keep caring, and bring caring home, so that, strengthened at our roots, we can reach out again, and again.
For the gift of feeling, thank you.
For the gift of wisdom, please.
For the gift of strength, yes.5 (of 7) JSHARP Jan. 30, 1986 at 18:30 MT
I want to thank this community of computer-friends for helping me to respond to the feelings that were untriggered by the Challenger tragedy. I have posted in the next note the article posted on our Baltimore board.
6 (of 7) JSHARP Jan. 30, 1986 at 18:32 MT
CHALLENGER (In Memorium)
Commander - Francis R. Scobee
Pilot - Michael J. Smith
Mission Specialist - Ronald E. McNair
Specialist - Eliason S. Onizuka
Specialist - Judith A. Resnik
Teacher - Christa McAulffe
Hughes Engineer - Gregory B. Jarvis***********************************
A sonnet by an American airman killed in World War II was thrust into new prominence by President Reagan in his televised tribute to the first Americans killed on a space flight.
The poem, "High Flight," was written by John G. Magee Jr., then 19, while he was serving as a volunteer with the royal Canadian Air Force.
The poem is as follows:
"Oh, I have slipped the surly bonds of earth,
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I've climbed and joined the tumbling mirth
Of sun-split clouds -- and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of -- wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there,
I've chased the shouting wind along and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air.
Up, up the long, delirious, burning blue
I've topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace,
Where never lark, or even eagle, flew;
And, while with silent, lifting mind I've trod
The high, untrespassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand, and touched the face of God."Mr. Reagan paraphrased the sonnet Tuesday in his television message in the wake of the explosion that destroyed the Challenger.
10 (of 14) JIMCOLLIE Jan. 29, 1986 at 19:37 MT
In response to what we have said to one another, to shared prayers and read Word, we open this topic to your Offerings. This is opportunity to share something of yourself, a commitment, an insight, a hope. You're invited to make an 'offering' here, something personal.
To share my own:
I make myself a promise to find those people who I already know who are explorers, and risk-takers, those who have a grace beyond the common sort that compels them to venture where I am more hesitant to go. I want to tell them that I appreciate them, that I'm stronger because of their courage, that I think they are very special people and that we need them.
**** Branching off of "MEMORIAL SERVICE" as note 11 of 14
"COMMUNITY OFFERINGS"
by JIMCOLLIE, Jan. 29, 1986 at 19:38 MTA place for community offerings.
1 (of 4) MBH Jan. 29, 1986 at 20:32 MT
Like you, Jim, I plan to be aware of those who press forward into discovery in the areas where I would tremble to go. But I plan to find an area for me to discover, and pray for God's guidance and strength, and then plunge ahead.
Michael
2 (of 4) CRAMER Jan. 29, 1986 at 20:33 MT
I'm with you, Jim, for now you said it all for me. Bob.
3 (of 4) CACKLEY Jan. 29, 1986 at 20:42 MT
I guess I felt a very special kinship with Steve McAuliffe. It began back a week or two ago, when I watched a special about the flight with my own children, ages 7 & 10. I saw how he had given so much of himself to make it possible to allow Christa to make her own offering. I feel a kinship with him, because as I saw him taking on the role of parents to his children, I realized I had so recently done the same as KC (my wife) went back to seminary. I learned so much from that time with my family, as we all tried on new roles; I continue to be much more involved in the daily life of the household. It started as an offering of myself to allow KC to be free to serve. In the pain, it must be hard to envision it that way for Steve today. Nobody can be inside of him tonight. But I can deeply appreciate the offering he made, and the offering my wife continues to make in our now mutual ministry. And realize that both the offerings-- indeed all the offerings-- are the best that we can give to a Creator who turns them into star-bright rubies, flashing comets of the heavens. For the potential to become, even beyond the fear and the pain of death, tonight I feel blessed.
4 (of 4) DGLAIRD Jan. 29, 1986 at 20:51 MT
Friends we have been given so much, just in this kind of computer communication. When I was helping here with this conference my son, stopped by the screen for a minute to ask what I was doing. I explained about the service. He said, isn't it all a bit impersonal? No, David, no, it is far from impersonal. I pledge to try my best to use the creativity which has been given all of us in this computer communications, towards the direction of freeing the imprisoned, opening eyes of the blind, including my own eyes. More later! Gordon.
12 (of 14) MBH Jan. 29, 1986 at 19:40 MT
The Benediction
Go forth to serve God and your neighbor in all that you do.
And know that you are surrounded by all the saints of all time.
Go with the peace and blessing of the One who upholds us all. Amen.
**** Branching off of "MEMORIAL SERVICE" as note 13 of 14"COFFEE HOUR"
by CACKLEY, Jan. 29, 1986 at 20:01 MTYou are all cordially invited to attend the 'coffee hour' beginning in Speakeasy at 7:30 p.m. PST, 10:30 p.m. EST this evening.
Additionally this conference will function as a parti version of 'coffee hour' for general discussion of the service.
2 (of 4) NKURLAND Jan. 29, 1986 at 20:42 MT
Thank you all for doing this here. It is appropriate that we in this community who are also adventurers express our sense of loss and sharing of spirit with those others who were also reaching out for a new world.
Norman
3 (of 4) SHERWIN Jan. 29, 1986 at 21:10 MT
I am left nearly speechless, which those of you who know me will attest is rare indeed.
Thanks you for a very moving and beautiful service.
I hope we can find some way to send this to the families of the seven without losing too much in the translation.
Sherwin
4 (of 4) DAVID FISHER Jan. 29, 1986 at 21:10 MT
A warm thank you to our "spiritual explorers" taking this medium and the religious service to new dimensions.
5 (of 14) LISA CARLSON Jan. 29, 1986 at 21:38 MT
I want to thank you too. I'm not very apt to attend services but I felt very much at home in this community and glad for an opportunity to participate in this memorial.
6 (of 14) HANK Jan. 29, 1986 at 23:07 MT
My "fortune cookie" when I just signed on to Unison said, "Every purchase has its price." I guess that even the Unison computer wanted to contribute to this discussion. The price has indeed been dear, but at least most of us seem to agree that its value will be great.
7 (of 14) PETERT Jan. 29, 1986 at 23:17 MT
I "stumbled" across the service, late I am afraid. But this was a very appropriate thing to do tonight. The peaceful and non-intrusive nature of the service enabled personal prayer and reflection on yesterdays tragedy to occur for me.
Let us all pray that the families of the crew and future explorers will be strengthened and encouraged to fulfill their dreams. Thank you for arranging this.
8 (of 14) KELLEY Jan. 30, 1986 at 0:57 MT
Let me add my thanks to all of you for this service. It made a good way to put my unfocused feelings together this morning. Now maybe I can get something constructive done with the rest of the day. Like figuring out the best way I can make sure these seven people did not die in vain for the dream of space....
Kelley
Stockholm
0757 GMT
9 (of 14) DLTINDAL Jan. 30, 1986 at 17:47 MT
I'm not sure it's appropriate to add this here, but I didn't know where else to put it.
I was unable to be on here participating with you last night, but I read all of the Memorial Service and branches this morning and I found it very moving. I wanted to add my thanks to the organizers and participants. It was a helpful, uplifting service; and I think something very significant has happened here. Bless you all.
Doug
10 (of 14) DGLAIRD Jan. 30, 1986 at 19:38 MT
Curt, Mike and Jim. You will note from our private conference that I had hopes of putting everything in place myself so that all the notes would be in order. But you know by now that it was Dianne Campbell who did all the beautiful final touches! Thanks, Dianne!
11 (of 14) DGLAIRD Jan. 30, 1986 at 19:39 MT
A note to all who took part in this Worship Service. Today I took the service, all printed out, with all the notes to a weekly Care and Share meeting in our congregation. I read every word to them and explained who you all are. We were all deeply moved. I was more moved than yesterday, because yesterday I was involved more in the mechanics of having it all happened. I was deeply moved by the depth of feeling which went into all the prayers. It was wonderful to read out the actual names of the bereaved. Thank you all so much! It was a privilege to be part of this service. Gordon.
12 (of 14) DGLAIRD Jan. 31, 1986 at 6:27 MT
Diana, I really do know how to spell your name. Now I am back to normal! Gordon.
**** Branching off of "COFFEE HOUR" as note 13 of 14 ****
"MEMORIAL" by STEFANIE KOTT, Jan. 31, 1986 at 22:39 MTAN INTERNETWORKING EFFORT TO HONOR THE ASTRONAUTS
The item in note 1 is from EIES and represents an effort to memorialize the astronauts we lost this past week. It is intended to be an internet working gesture and might work nicely with our hopes to honor the astronauts.
**** Branching off of "COFFEE HOUR" as note 14 of 14 ****
"CHALLENGER TRAGEDY" by CHEF, Jan. 28, 1986 at 17:02 MT about A NATION MOURNS
Today the whole country if no world has suffered a GREAT tragedy. The space shuttle Exploded shortly after liftoff.
I had never been able, before to today, been able to see a shuttle liftoff. So today I watched the lift off with great interest and awe of man's achievements Then to my horror I saw the shuttle "Challenger" explode. I for some reason felt a GREAT feeling of loss. I now sit here and feel just a small amount of the pain that the friends and family of those lost on the shuttle must feel.
I'm starting this conference with two things, or questions in mind. Do you feel that the Space program should end before more lives are lost? and what did you feel when you first heard the sad news of the explosion? Also I feel we should try and organize some sort of memorial service on this and other systems to honor the brave souls who lost their lives today. What do you say folks?
-Chef-
227 (of 230) CRAMER Feb. 3, 1986 at 20:21 MT
WITHIN HOURS of the tragic death of the Challenger space mission, a space-age ministry emerged on the public computer network, Unison (info: 303/329-3113).
Sparked especially by Diana Campbell and Fred Dudden, operators of Unison, an ad hoc "committee" of ministers from four major denominations in two nations was assembled -- via computer on Unison, of course -- to design and lead an "interactive" service of worship in memory of the seven pioneers and in ministry to so many who grieved.
The ministers were Gordon Laird, United Church of Canada; James Collie, Presbyterian Church (USA); Michael Henderson, United Methodist Church; and Curtis Ackley, United Church of Christ.
At 10 PM Eastern Time on Wednesday, Jan. 29, Unison members could sign on in a "conference" called "Memorial Service." It was the kind of "conference" in which a leader writes a note that others may read and respond to. All may read all of the responses and respond to them until, at some time in the future, interest wanes.
Each minister took part by providing a portion of the worship service:
the call; Old Testament reading; prayers; even an offering where people could suggest what they plan to do in response to a situation that is both a tragedy and an inspiration to courage.
After the service there was even a "coffee hour" for less formal exchanges. In that section, many people expressed their appreciation for the service which, they said, helped them confront their extraordinary emotions.
It was possible to sign on and simply read the service as it unfolded under the guidance of the four clergy. The talented ministries they shared were remarkable. But it was even more comforting and inspiring to read the offerings of prayer and intention coming from others all over the continent -- and even from Sweden!
Most unusual of course was the opportunity to participate with comments, prayers, offerings and hopes of one's own. This could be done not just as the service unfolded, but later -- even now, in fact.
I don't doubt that just a simple service of worship provided by a single minister or layperson, unfolding on the computer screen, would have made for an effective ministry.
But to have four talented and sensitive clergy combine their ministries and then to have people able to share in the same way was to me one of the strongest affirmations yet of the essential "spirituality" of which computer networks are capable.
The word "mission" comes to mind as I write because this was truly an outreach from ordinary places of worship into the marketplace where people -- warm, caring, spiritual beings who nonetheless may not go to church -- were communicating about other things and in other modes.
Now it was possible for anyone to pause and worship -- it was genuinely non-sectarian, non-gender-oriented worship -- and gain the kind of perspective and fresh commitment that is the hope of everyone dedicated to the spiritual development of humankind.
--Bob Cramer, in RFC News, Mon., Feb. 3, 1986.
Updated: September 8, 2003
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