The North Madison Congregational Church is hosting a remembrance service on Sunday, Sept. 11 as part of their effort to honor first responders and area residents who were killed during the Sept. 11 attacks 21 years ago. The somberness of the event will paired with a celebration following the worship service, including a potluck lunch.

Church officials said the congregation wanted to acknowledge the 21st anniversary of 9/11 and also recognize the third year of “an unprecedented global pandemic.” North Madison Congregational Church, also known as the "church at the circle," will launch its 2022-’23 season of ministry with this celebration to honor residents who have supported the Madison community during the pandemic.

NMCC's pastor, the Rev. Dr. Heather Arcovitch, said, "It is a generous gift that our first responders and their families give us each day in running toward our needs and being so faithfully there for us when we need them. The fact that so many of Madison's first responders are volunteers amplifies the profound generosity and love for their neighbor they show when they show up to answer our calls each day."

As an open and affirming congregation of the United Church of Christ, Arcovitch said NMCC's members are particularly appreciative of the commitment of the police department to ensure diverse representation within the force, endeavoring to ensure that all feel safe and welcome in our town. Arcovitch invited all residents to participate and honor local first responders and stay for the food and fun after the service.

“We're all familiar with the Fred Rogers' quote, ‘When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’ In a time when so much seems to be going wrong, it is important to pull together and appreciate what is going right,” said Arcovitch. “Our first responders are not all that is right in our community, and none of them, like none of us, is perfect. But they represent a loving, altruistic intention in our midst to offer care to others when we are in our moments of worst suffering, and that is something to which we may aspire, and from which we may all draw hope. That is something worth celebrating, and we invite our neighbors to draw together to take a moment to simply do just that.”

The worship service will be held Sunday, Sept. 11 at 10 a.m. at the North Madison Congregational Church, 1271 Durham Road in Madison. The congregation will welcome Madison and North Madison's fire, ambulance, and police personnel, and their families for a Blessing of Our First Responders.

There will be a potluck lunch following the outdoor worship service and there will service/emergency vehicles for children to check out.