Four Episcopalians and three Jews lead the list of religious figures selected to give sermons, prayers, Scripture readings and blessings at the National Prayer Service at the Washington National Cathedral.
The invitation-only service Wednesday morning, to be attended by the new president and vice president plus members of Congress, the Supreme Court and hundreds of foreign diplomats, will be built around themes of “tolerance, unity and understanding,” according to a press statement released Friday.
Several groups, including Buddhists, Seventh-day Adventists, the Salvation Army and Mormons, were left out entirely.
I was worried when I saw the note above that the Christian faith was one of those which would be left out. Not that I am adverse to having our “older brothers” (in the words of Pope John Paul II) be the ones to bear witness to the Word.
But I was glad to see the Greek Orthodox Church, the Roman Catholics and the Baptists will hold the banner of faith.
Alas; the invitation to the Orthodox was apparently not misplaced. Seriously, if this is going to wind up like the Mayor of San Francisco’s infamous prayer breakfast I would just skip it.
Four Episcopalians will easily represent at least five different religions.
The Salvation Army is probably the most legitimate exponent of doing something for the less-than-fortunate of any Christian organization in the land. I love their motto – “Blood and Fire” – the shed blood of Christ – the purifing power of the Holy Spirit.
Re # 3
[blockquote] Four Episcopalians will easily represent at least five different religions. [/blockquote]
ROFL
In supreme irony, Babyblue is reporting that the microphone was off for all but the last sentence of Gene Robinson’s prayer to the “god of our many understandings.”
Well that’s not very inclusive!
Actually, I’m surprised at how many prominent denominations were left out. Four Episcopalians get a chance to appear in the spotlight (including the notorious +John Chane and the polarizing, female PB), but the list of participants seems not to include any Lutherans, Presbyterians, or Methodists. Huh?? No Pentecostals either. And virtually none from the historic black denominations, like the National Baptists, AME, AME-Zion, or the Church of God in Christ.
I’m really glad to see Andy Stanley on the list, but on the whole it’s a dismal and unimpressive group. And surprisingly spotty and imbalanced in how representative it is of the wide variety of religious groups here in the US. Strange.
David Handy+
Oops, I overlooked one Methodist, the Rev. Kirbyjon Caldwell from Houston, who gave the benediction at the 2001 and 2005 Bush inaugurations, a nice diplomatic touch. But still no Presbyterians or Lutherans that I can see. No one from the Assembly of God either, etc. Very odd.
But really, who cares??
David Handy+
Well,I can see why the AoG were not included. After all, Sarah Palin went to that church. 😉
BabyBlue is incorrect – Gene Robinson’s microphone wasn’t turned off. I was there and heard the entire prayer he prayed.
Apparently it wasn’t the mike, but some of the speakers that were off.
[blockquote]Four Episcopalians will easily represent at least five different religions. [/blockquote]
And none of them Christian. /irony
#3, you’re right on the mark. I am sad to see Orthodox included. Sometimes there are clubs whose invitations you politely refuse.