For Boston . . .

Annie MacNeal at Thursday's Prayer Vigil for Boston

On Thursday April 18, the historical date for President’s Day which is highly celebrated in Boston, Garrett-Evangelical students gathered for a prayer service to lift up those who were affected by the Boston Marathon Tragedy on Monday. Being one of the only students from Massachusetts at Garrett-Evangelical and having many friends who ran in the marathon, organizing this prayer service was much needed. Working with the Dean of Students, Rev. Cynthia Wilson, the Dean of the Chapel, Rev. Anne Ferguson, and a professor and fellow Bostonian, Dr. Mark Fowler, we were able to put together a litany that not only provided prayers, comfort, and a sense of community, but also explained what it meant to call Boston home.

As we gathered in Howes Chapel and shared an opening prayer, I started to feel the sense of love and support that I had felt isolated from, being far away from my family in Massachusetts. Dr. Fowler continued our service of prayer by explaining what Boston meant to him and to other Bostonians, New Englanders, and those who have connections there. He shared that Boston is not just a city or a place, but a sacred home. Boston has this extreme sense of community that is hard to explain to people who have not been there. Dr. Fowler continued by taking out his Boston Red Sox hat and explaining that even Boston sports teams are not just about sports, but are a symbol of hope, solidarity, and community. He then shared the passage from Matthew 5:14-16 which says: “‘You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hidden. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” In Boston, we understand the city built on a hill to be a reference to Boston itself on Beacon Hill.

We continued the prayer service by lighting candles and speaking aloud names of those affected by the Boston Marathon Tragedy as well as others who have been affected by violence in general. We stood in solidarity with our brothers and sisters at Boston University School of Theology and lifted their community up in prayer. With a final word of prayer we concluded the service with words of comfort and embraces filled with love. Dr. Fowler and I turned to each other and both said, “I needed that.” As much as we both long to be home in Massachusetts with our friends and family, it was wonderful to know that we were supported by the Garrett-Evangelical community.

I hope everyone at Garrett-Evangelical, Chicago, and our nation will continue to hold Boston in their prayers in the days ahead and I am so thankful that I have a community here even though I desperately miss my community at home.

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Author:  Annie MacNeal, First Year M.Div. Student from Massachusetts 

Photo Credit: Kyle Reynolds, First Year M.Div. Student