Duke Chapel to Hold Interfaith Vigil for Tsunami Disaster

Duke University Chapel will hold an interfaith prayer vigil on Friday, Feb. 4, in honor of the victims and survivors of the Dec. 26 tsunami disaster.

The 5:30 p.m. vigil will include music, prayers in the Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Jewish, and Muslim traditions, candlelight, personal testimony and silence. Participants will gather on the front steps of the Chapel.

"We felt that it was important for the religious communities here at Duke to come together to honor the victims and survivors. Anyone who wishes to reflect, mourn and hear from those whose lives were directly affected by the disaster is welcome to attend," said Craig Kocher, acting dean of the Chapel and director of religious life, who will preside at the vigil. Larry Moneta, vice president for student affairs, will also take part.

Since the disaster, Duke Chapel and Religious Life staff has responded in a number of ways. The entirety of the Duke Chapel Sunday worship offerings from Jan. 2, 9 and 16, totaling more than $14,000, went to support human service organizations providing aid to the tsunami victims. Religious Life groups have organized fundraisers, collected money for and created medical kits to send to South Asia, and faith responses via a special website. The website, accessible from the main Duke website, can be found directly here.