Prayer for the mountains

About 75 people gathered in Letcher County on September 11 for an ecumenical prayer service on behalf of Appalachian communities affected by mountaintop removal mining. Participants prayed for healing of mountain communities, safety for miners and their families, and hope through sustainable jobs.

Father John Rausch, a KFTC member from Stanton, organized "The Cross in the Mountainsâ€ along with other faith groups concerned about mountaintop removal. KFTC member Jim Webb hosted the event at his Wiley’s Last Resort in Letcher County, where Harlan County’s Black Mountain, the highest peak in Kentucky, can be seen.

The service followed the 14 Stations of the Cross, which represent stages of Jesus’ death and resurrection. Each "stationâ€ highlighted aspects of coal industry abuse of mountain communities, such as "Corporate greed abuses the people and landâ€ and "Waste pollutes the streams and rivers.â€ Participants carried handpainted white crosses bearing words such as "corporate greedâ€ and "streams polluted.â€

Dr. Hunter Hensley, cantor and professor of music at Eastern Kentucky University, performed his "Requiem for the Mountains,â€ and Samuel Newton performed "Amazing Graceâ€ on the bagpipes.

Various KFTC members participated in the service, including Mickey McCoy (pictured right of cross) of Martin County, Jeff Combs (pictured left of cross) and Russell Oliver of Perry County, and Sister Kathleen Weigand, whose Floyd County church provided food for the event. Visitors also traveled from across Kentucky and from West Virginia, Virginia and Tennessee.

To view a video of the event, click here.

We of various faith communities assemble to pray with residents of the mountains. These communities live with fear caused by the devastation of mountaintop removal. We pray for renewal of human and ecological communities throughout the mountains and for alternative work to bring greater diversity and choice for employment. We pray by raising the Cross of Christ to remind us that Earth belongs to God by creation and to us by delegation, and ultimately God must rule over all human affairs.