September 1, 2011

The Interfaith Center of New York invites you and your faith communities to participate in The 9/11 Ribbons of Hope Project and the 9/11 World Trade Center Floating Lantern Ceremony taking place on the weekend of 9/11.

We also ask your assistance in two ways: finding volunteers to help us in preparing ribbon kits and tying ribbons at the Project , and providing religious observance materials for faith-based organizations to access in developing their own commemorative events for the weekend of 9/11.

The 9/11 Ribbons of Hope Project

"9/11 Ribbons of Hope" is an interactive, community-created art project designed to commemorate the 10th Anniversary of the September 11th attacks by inviting people of all backgrounds, religions, ages and races to tie a ribbon inscribed with a message of hope and healing for New York City.

Just a short walk from Ground Zero, 12 tall mesh panels holding 50,000 ribbons will be installed alongside the Gardens of Remembrance in Battery Park from noon on Friday September 9th until noon on Monday September 12th. All day Friday, Saturday and Sunday New Yorkers and visitors alike are welcome to bring a ribbon and tie it to the panels assisting in the creation of a multi-colored, multi-cultural, tapestry of prayers, wishes, dreams, memories, and celebrations.

We are asking you and your faith communities to help us reach our target of 50,000 ribbons. By logging onto [1]http://prepareny.ning.com/ribbons, you can order ribbon kits for your congregations at no charge. These kits consist of individual packages complete with ribbon, permanent marker, instructions and a map to the site of the 9/11 Ribbons of Hope Project. You can also provide your own ribbons, as we welcome all ribbon types and sizes.

Ribbon collection can happen in two ways. Firstly, you and your congregations may want to visit the site to tie the ribbons on at anytime from noon on Friday September 9th until noon on Monday, September 12th. You can also mail them to one of Prepare New York's partners, Intersections International, 274 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10001 and we will attach them for you.

We are also seeking volunteers to assemble the kits beginning Thursday, August 17th at Intersections International and tying ribbons at the site. If you interested in helping, please contact: Katerina Ragoussi Director of Events and Media, Prepare New York, Auburn Theological Seminary, 3041 Broadway, New York, NY 10027, t: 212.662.4315 c: 917.399.9134 f: 212.663.5214.

The 9/11 World Trade Center Floating Lantern Ceremony
Sunday, September 11 at 6:00 PM
Pier 40 (West Houston Street & West Street by the Hudson River)
6:00 PM to 9:00 PM

The 9/11 World Trade Center Memorial Floating Lanterns Ceremony, in its tenth year, brings a day filled with deep emotion and reflection to an aesthetically serene and peaceful close. As light fades to dusk, and the sun's warmth gives way to the Hudson River's cool breeze, the rhythmic beating of the Japanese Taiko drum signals the beginning of this most poignant and embracing interfaith ceremony led by Reverend Alfonso Wyatt.

Religious leaders of many faith traditions will assemble to offer uplifting messages of hope and peace. Commissioner Fatima Shama from the NYC Mayor's Office of Immigration Affairs will provide greetings and messages from Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Musical performances will be interspersed throughout the program with performances by Japanese and American artists including Taiko Drummer Kaoru Watanabe, Composer Russell Daisey, Soprano Tomoko Shibata, Recording Artist Shinji Harada, and Saxophonist Paul Winter.

The evening closes with the Rev. T.K. Nakagaki leading Buddhist Sutra Chanting and the lighting of the floating lanterns on the Hudson River. Volunteers from NY de Volunteer will place the lanterns into the water, which will then be pulled into the harbor by the kayakers. UNITED SIKHS will provide refreshments. The event is open to the public free of charge.

This inspirational event is largely a volunteer effort of many civic-minded organizations including The Interfaith Center of New York, the New York Buddhist Council, Prepare New York Coalition, New York Disaster Interfaith Services, United Sikhs, NY de Volunteer, the New York Kayak Company, New York City Downtown Boathouse, Long Island City Community Boathouse and September 11th Families for Peaceful Tomorrows.

Interfaith Center of New York