With his head bowed, the Rev. John Handrahan sent a prayer heavenward through the early morning air traffic at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.
“We ask that you give us a lift for all the problems we have on Earth,” said Handrahan, chaplain of Holy Cross Hospital in Fort Lauderdale.
Their prayers said, local clergy opened a new meditation room on Monday at the airport. About 30 clergymen, airport officials and politicians attended the dedication.
It’s been a long time coming. The religious leaders struggled for nine years to open the quiet room, mostly because of church and state obstacles and bureaucratic red tape.
The room is similar to chapels found at several major airports. It is on the second floor of Terminal 2 and holds about 30 chairs.
It has an artistic medallion, depicting hands opening up to the clouds. The room has no religious symbols, although various religious tracts are available.
Interfaith Mediation Room Inc., made up of leaders representing Christian and Jewish denominations, rents the room from the county for $1 per year. Travelers can enter the room daily until the last plane arrives. They can pray, seek quiet, or just relax.
The meditation room is the latest effort between the airport and clergy. During the past year, the airport has beefed up its ranks of clergy who would serve as chaplains in case of emergency. About 12 religious leaders are on call.
— The Chattanooga Singers will perform in concert at 8 p.m. March 12 at the First United Methodist Church, 210 NE Third St., Pompano Beach. Free. An offering will be taken. Call 943-0404.
— St. John’s Christian Church in Pompano Beach will give a Lenten Study at 7:30 p.m. each Wednesday beginning March 1.
The study, Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s The Cost of Discipleship, runs through March 31 at the church, 4213 N. Federal Highway. Call 781-8370.
— Second Presbyterian Church in Fort Lauderdale will play host to a series of mid-week Lenten luncheons during March.
Each Wednesday at noon, the series will focus on an organization in the community. Groups planning to give presentations include Habitat for Humanity and Daily Bread Food Bank.
Lunch costs $4. The church is at 1400 N. Federal Highway.
Call 564-7608.
— The women’s division of the Sunrise-based Jewish Federation of Greater Fort Lauderdale will present a workshop on interfaith relationships at 9 a.m. March 1 at Temple Kol Ami, 8200 Peters Road, Plantation.
Cost is $5.
Call 748-8400.
If you have information for this column, send news items and any photographs to Damon Adams, Sun-Sentinel, 3 SW 129th Ave., Suite 101, Pembroke Pines, Fla. 33027, or call 436-7150.
