NYC church holding contest to deliver sermon on reconciliation at chapel on 9/11

The World Trade Center looms behind St. Paul's Chapel with its steeple wrapped in scaffolding for repairs, Thursday, June 25, 2015, in New York. The winner of a new competition open to people of all faiths called "The Reconciliation Preaching Prize," will have the privilege of delivering an original sermon on Sept. 11 at the chapel near ground zero. It was turned into a makeshift memorial shrine and became a place of rest and renewal for volunteers and responders, following the terrorist attacks that brought down the twin towers. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews) (The Associated Press)

Visitors pray near the main pew at St. Paul's Chapel, Thursday, June 25, 2015, in New York. The winner of a new competition open to people of all faiths called "The Reconciliation Preaching Prize," will have the privilege of delivering an original sermon on Sept. 11 at the chapel near ground zero. It was turned into a makeshift memorial shrine and became a place of rest and renewal for volunteers and responders, following the terrorist attacks that brought down the twin towers. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews) (The Associated Press)

A youngster look at a memorial of public artifacts on display inside St. Paul's Chapel, Thursday, June 25, 2015, in New York. The winner of a new competition open to people of all faiths called "The Reconciliation Preaching Prize," will have the privilege of delivering an original sermon on Sept. 11 at the chapel near ground zero. It was turned into a makeshift memorial shrine and became a place of rest and renewal for volunteers and responders, following the terrorist attacks that brought down the twin towers. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews) (The Associated Press)

Leaders of a chapel near ground zero that became a sanctuary of consolation after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks are opening two national writing competitions to foster reconciliation.

The Episcopal Parish of Trinity Church will award one prize for preaching and six for storytelling. The winner of the preaching award will deliver an original sermon on Sept. 11 at St. Paul's Chapel.

Trinity's rector, Rev. Dr. William Lupfer, says the idea for the competitions came about because visitors to the World Trade Center site still struggle to make sense of the attacks.

Entries must be submitted between July 1 and Aug. 1. Winners will be announced by Aug. 24. The competitions are open to people of all faiths 18 years and older.