One such remembrance is of Jose Ayabarreno, a Columbia Public Safety Officer, who passed away this past spring. Submitted by his coworker Sergio Deynes, the remembrance reads: “Jose left a lasting impression on everyone. He was such a great friend. You are sorely missed.”
You can stop by anytime to read the names and remembrances at the lawn in front of St. Paul’s Chapel.
These memorials are part of a joint project from the Offices of Religious and University Life called “Columbia Reflects,” which has events slated for September 20 and 21, 2021, part of a larger suite of events and gatherings planned to welcome students back to fully reopened campuses for the first time since March 2020. Columbia Reflects offers spaces for reflections, discussions, and opportunities to gather in a spirit of hope, and can be found here.
All day on September 20, there will be a musical reflection installation in St. Paul’s Chapel that Columbians can visit to honor and commemorate the lives lost. From 1:30 to 2:30 p.m., that day, St. Paul’s Chapel will host a multifaith service of music, reflection, and hope with religious life advisers from a variety of traditions who will share readings from their traditions. Angela Owens will perform a selection of African American spirituals, accompanied by Eric Martin.
Also on September 20 and 21, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Columbians are encouraged to stop by Columbia's Irving Medical Center's Haven Plaza and Hammer Lower Level Lobby to write a message of reflection, remembrance, or hope on ribbons. The ribbons will be displayed later as part of a community art project.
If you would like your remembrance to be a part of the installation on the St. Paul’s Chapel lawn, you can submit information here. You can also share your memories on social media with the hashtag #ColumbiaReflects.
