LITTLETON, Colo. -- The interfaith community met at Clement Park here -- adjacent to Columbine High where this nations' deadliest school shooting occurred one year earlier -- for a public remembrance April 20. Numerous Church members and missionaries participated in the ceremony, titled "A time to remember, a time to hope."
Through music and spoken words, thousands of community members heard messages of faith in Christ, love, hope in the future, letting go and mutual support, delivered by an interfaith choir, local religious and community leaders and an LDS seminary student.Steven Greenwood of the Columbine 1st Ward, Columbine Colorado Stake, was one of two Columbine High youth selected to reflect on the past year.
During his remarks, Steven introduced himself as a member of the Church and expressed how his beliefs had supported him.
"Even though this event has led some of us to question our faith in God, we must remember that God is over all, and never ignores, or abandons any of us," he said, quoting Proverbs 3:5-6. " 'Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.' "
The service was one of numerous private and public remembrances held on the anniversary of the April 20, 1999, attack that left 13 plus the two student gunmen dead in the Denver-area high school.
Rebecca Jensen, interfaith specialist of the Columbine Colorado Stake public affairs committee, participated with the local interfaith alliance to help plan the memorial event.
Sister Jensen volunteered 18 LDS missionaries from the Colorado Denver South Mission to serve as ushers for the event. They wore their missionary name tags and passed out the music and candles and directed those in attendance to the various services on the park grounds.
Numerous Church members also participated in the interfaith choir, which performed at the commemoration event.
Karen Michaelson of the Columbine 5th Ward, Columbine Colorado Stake, said singing in the choir gave her an opportunity to be with people of different faiths who were friendly and warm towards the Church.
It was heartwarming, she said, to know that a large portion of the community believe in Christ and look to Him for hope.