Tree of Life synagogue hosting virtual interfaith covid memorial service

Jewish, Christian and Islamic leaders from across Pittsburgh will participate in an interfaith service March 18, one year to the day after the first covid death in Pennsylvania.

The Tree of Life Congregation will host the service to memorialize the more than 525,000 lives lost across the country since the pandemic began and acknowledge the suffering from the closing of businesses and schools and the disruption of family and religious traditions.

The virtual service, “Covid-19 One Year Later: A Service of Remembrance, Healing & Renewal,” will begin at 8 p.m. and include remarks from Gov. Tom Wolf and religious leaders representing many Pittsburgh communities.

Clergy taking part include Rabbi Hazzan Jeffrey Myers of Tree of Life, Bishop David Zubik of the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh, Rector Jonathon Jensen of Calvary Episcopal Church, the Rev. Vincent Campbell of Ebenezer Baptist Church, the Rev. Karie Charlton of Third Presbyterian Church, Som Sharma of the Hindu-Jain Temple of Monroeville, Imam Chris Caras of the Islamic Center of Pittsburgh, the Rev. Liddy Barlow of Christian Associates of Southwest Pennsylvania and the Rev. Matthew Hawkins of St. Benedict the Moor Parish.

“Grief is communal and a year into the pandemic, I felt it important to create an opportunity for all of us to mourn what has been lost this past year,” Myers said. “Communities of faith have also sustained many people over the past year and I think, amid the grief, we, as religious leaders, can offer words of assurance, healing and hope for the future.”

Members of the public are invited to join the service online here.