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By JAN LOOMIS, Special to the Daily Transcript
Tuesday, September 10, 2002
The Celebration Church is a new Church of Religious Science in the Del Mar area. Its first board meeting was scheduled and held at 6 p.m. on 9/11 and was chaired by Rev. Roby Warren, its founding minister.
"Our church felt the horror of Sept. 11 in a very personal way," Warren said. "Three young people who were relatives of members of our church or friends of members lost their lives that day."
At first there was a resurgence of attendance and an outpouring of contributions, both in this church and in the other 24 New Thought Churches in San Diego. "People were scared," she said. "Their faith was shaken and they were looking for answers."
In addition, they were also searching for how they could make a difference. She found, however, that the increase in attendance and funding was short-lived. Initially fearing 9/11 was just a temporary interruption in church members' way of life, she said, "Thankfully, I was wrong."
As the year progressed she began to witness great changes in the minds and actions of her members. "The people within our church are seeking answers. There is a deep questioning within the individual about what he or she can do personally to create peace in their lives," Warren said.
She believes the focus switched from retaliation to finding avenues for peace. "Life as a community is being restored as people realize how important their contribution is," she said.
Her church is once again experiencing a growth in attendance. "Our congregants are insisting the church involves itself in the community on a much stronger level," Warren said. She hopes her little church is a microcosm of the change in consciousness that is sweeping the nation.
Regarding the anniversary, she said, "I see healing in the wake of 9/11. Now I see individuals coming together and understanding that how you make peace is by first creating peace in your own life. One individual at a time. One family at a time. One community at a time. One nation at a time. And ultimately, the world, which is really one community after all."
Loomis is a free-lance writer based in Poway.
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