Our Church in NYC

American Airlines Flight 11 flew over our church in Brooklyn just seconds before it slammed into the North Tower of the World Trade Center at 8:45 am on September 11, 2001.

"All circuits are busy," said the operator's voice on the other end of the phone line. There was no way to reach Jean Florival - Pastor of the Brooklyn Friends Church - by phone on that fateful day in September. The Twin Towers had just been attacked and were crumbling to the floor of the financial district in Manhatten, just a few miles away from the church.

At the time, Pastor Jean had his hands full trying to minister to families who had missing relatives. By the time more phone contacts were possible, the people were grappling with both the reality of the attacks and the relief that their loved ones were safe. Pastor Jean and the church leaders stayed close to them through the ordeal.

Subsequent phone calls between Pastor Jean and our Haitian Coordinator William Bertrand, our General Superintendent Dr. John P. Williams, Jr., and myself revealed the events of the day. Three members of the church work in the area of the World Trade Center and were in Manhatten on their way to work at the time of the attacks. When the island was sealed off and when phone lines were overloaded, they had to find shelter until they were able to return homeÑone to two days later.

Prayers for their safety were answered. Then new prayers for the victims and rescuers soon followed. Pastor Jean was among the citizenry that gathered with the mayor and others in Yankee Stadium for the interfaith service on the fourth Sunday of September. Let us remember our Friends in Brooklyn and send them a note of encouragement as they both maintain a strong Christian witness and raise funds for local relief efforts.

Written by Wayne Evans,
Area Superintendent