Today is the 15th anniversary of the terrorist attacks against the homeland of the United States on September 11, 2001. On that morning, four passenger airliners were hijacked and turned into instruments of death, killing nearly 3,000 people and causing the collapse of the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York City.

There are two community events that are opportunities to reflect more closely on those terrible and frightening memories today as we commemorate those who were murdered and those who lost their lives as first responders while rescuing others.

The first event is an annual 9/11 memorial concert at Rice University. This year’s “Concert of Hope” will be held this afternoon at 4:00 p.m. in Stude Concert Hall, which is located inside the building that houses the Shepherd School of Music (near the Turrell skyspace). The Rice Chorale and Houston Masterworks Chorus directed by Thomas Jaber will be offering a performance of the Requiem by Gabriel Fauré.

The second gathering is an “Interfaith Service of Prayer, Readings, and Song” this evening at 6:00 p.m. at Christ the King Lutheran Church, which is located at 2353 Rice Boulevard. Representative leaders and faith community members of the Jewish, Christian, Muslim, and Buddhist traditions will participate in this event as our community considers the historic global changes since 9/11 and renews our dedication as a people committed to the healing of both our nation and the world.