(ENS) The Rev. Robert Certain, an Episcopal priest who was a former prisoner of war in Vietnam, opened the Republican National Convention evening session on September 2 with prayer.
Certain asked God to “grant wisdom and grace” to President Bush and other U.S. leaders and that the presidential, vice-presidential and other political candidates be granted the “courage to face the rigors of the campaign (and) honesty and integrity to cast a vision of unity, progress and liberty.”
He also asked God to “teach our people to rely on your strength, and to accept their responsibilities to their fellow citizens, that they may put country first, elect trustworthy leaders and make wise decisions for the well-being of our society.”
He wasn’t quite sure how the invitation came about, said Certain. A few years ago, however, he invited Sen. John McCain, slated to be the Republican presidential nominee, to share his “spiritual journey” at a parish meeting in Georgia.
When asked before his appearance what he was prepared to say, Certain chuckled: “I’m an Episcopalian. Of course, I went to the Book of Common Prayer, to the prayers for the nation in the back.”
He was also the priest during Gerald Ford’s funeral who only read the first half of John 14:6. Remember, he didn’t say the “No one comes to the Father except through me” part.
Rev. Certain has a very compelling personal story. Anyone who’s been a POW, even if only for a few months, has served this country admirably.
The situation with St. Margaret’s in Palm Desert however – is that not one of the (many) parishes that have declined in membership? #1’s comment leads me to conclude he’s a bit of a “theology lite” type, the sort of people who are often associated with unhealthy parishes….
So glad to see that he turned to the Book of Common Prayer. That book has helped me so very many times when I have been searching for what and how to talk to God. I have friends, not Anglican, who say we are just reading prayers without being sincere. Boy do I enlighten them. My speech 101 about communicating with The Father. Not being perfect (like them) I have to rely, some times, on historic prayers (even some right out of the Good Book), to communicate. Then I give a big sigh, and let them know how very much I wish I were like them, and always know just what to say……..then I ask them if they ever recite “The Lord’s Pray”. You know the one I mean, where Jesus tells us how to speak to the Father…..teehee
This is the first time I’ve read this much detail about him. Looks like he’s a pretty good guy.
Prior to serving at St. Margarets – Palm Desert, Robert Certain was the rector of Trinity – Yazoo City.
He’s our rector, and he seems to be a good guy. We’re a very conservative parish, and although he was our interim rector, folks asked the bishop to make him permanent, which he did. He gives a great sermon, very uplifting and inspirational, and he’s filled with the Holy Spirit. I have yet to hear anything from him that worries me.
Father Certain is deeply missed at St. Margarets. You are fortunate to have him there in Georgia. I think the Matt. 4:16 flub at President Ford’s funeral has more to do with Bishop Chane and the unitarian/universalist clergy at the Nat Cathedral. Robert Certain is rock solid theologically.
Did he really go to the Book of Common Prayer (any of them)? Or did he go to the 1979 Book of Alternative Services?
As our interim and now settled rector, I too have found Father Robert to be very solid theologically. He consistently preaches the Great Commission as our absolute responsibility as disciples of Christ and minces no words about our salvation coming through Jesus Christ. As an added bonus my kids (9,7 & 5) think he’s awesome!
#1 and #2, Fr. Certain is a close friend of mine and my rector. I have had many theological discussions with him and listened to almost all of his sermons over the last year and a half. He is no theological “lite,” believe me. To answer your specific concern, he will tell you that in this life, no one comes to the Father except through his Son. He will also tell you that what happens to souls after death is beyond his pay grade.
Billy that’s good to hear. I’ll try to make it up to Marietta the next time I have a weekend in Atlanta – the diocese seems pretty thin on orthodox parishes from what I have read.
Chris, #11, we are certainly one of the more conservative parishes … I don’t know every other conservative one, because so much depends on the rector, but there are probably 5-7 who have a reputation as conservative parishes in the 97 parishes in the diocese.. Certainly the Cathedral of St Philip and most of the metro Atlanta churches are fairly reappraising. Many outside the I-285 Perimeter are more conservative. My guess would be that outside the inner-city churches and the Cathedral, most of the laity are pretty conservative in this diocese, but are uninformed or uninterested. We used to say that the political dividing line in most of our churches was the communion rail. (By the way, most clergy, including our bishops, would claim “orthodoxy.”) Come see us!
[i]Baptist Preacher to Episcopalian:[/i] You need to read the Bible and not rely on just hearing it on Sundays!
[i]Episcopalian:[/i] I did read it, preacher, from Genesis to Revelation.
[i]Preacher:[/i] And what did you think of it?
[i]Episcopalian:[/i] I was impressed with how often it quoted the Book of Common Prayer.