PRESS RELEASE from Presidential
Inaugural Committee
FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE
Friday, January 16, 2009
Contact: PIC Communications
Office
Presidential Inaugural
Committee Announces Participants of National Prayer Service Leaders Spanning
American's Faiths to Participate in Interfaith Event
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, as part of an Inauguration for all Americans,
the 2009 Presidential Inaugural Committee announced the spiritual
leaders from the diverse array of our nation's religious traditions who
will participate in the National Prayer Service on Wednesday, January
21st. The National Prayer Service, a tradition dating
back to the Inauguration of George Washington, will be held at the
National Cathedral at the conclusion of the inaugural
activities. The service will include scripture
readings, prayers, hymns and blessings delivered by faith leaders from
across the United States.
"President-elect Obama's faith is a central part of his life and he
will begin the first full day of his Administration with a service of
interfaith prayer and reflection," said Presidential Inaugural
Committee Communications Director Josh Earnest. "The National
Prayer Service, which will embody the themes of tolerance, unity and
understanding, is a worship service for all Americans. "
The National Prayer Service will include a traditional prayer for civil
leaders, a prayer for the nation, a selection by the Washington,
D.C.-based Children of the Gospel Children's Choir, and, for the first
time, feature a sermon delivered by a woman.
Reverend Samuel T. Lloyd III, Dean of the Washington National
Cathedral, will welcome attendees to the event, followed by the
invocation of Reverend John Bryon Chane, Episcopal Bishop of
Washington.
Reverend Otis Moss Jr., Senior Pastor Emeritus, Olivet Institutional
Baptist Church in Cleveland, Ohio will provide the opening prayer,
followed by a prayer for civil leaders delivered by Reverend Andy
Stanley, Senior Pastor, North Point Community Church, Alpharetta,
Georgia.
Scripture readings will be provided by Dr. Cynthia Hale, Senior Pastor,
Ray of Hope Christian Church, Atlanta, Georgia as well as Archbishop
Demetrios, Primate of the Greek Orthodox Church in America, New York
City, and the Most Reverend Francisco Gonzalez, S.F., Auxiliary Bishop
of Washington. Rabbi David Saperstein, Executive Director,
Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, Washington, D.C., has been
asked to deliver a psalm.
Responsive prayers given by six leaders will symbolize America's
traditions of religious tolerance and freedom:
--Dr. Ingrid Mattson, President, Islamic Society of North America,
Hartford, CT
--Rev. Suzan Johnson-Cook, Senior Pastor, Bronx Christian Fellowship,
New York City
--Rabbi Jerome Epstein, Director, United Synagogue of Conservative
Judaism, New York City
--Rev. Carol Wade of the Washington National Cathedral
--Dr. Uma Mysorekar, President, Hindu Temple Society of North America,
New York City
--Rev. Jim Wallis, President, Sojourners, Washington, D.C.
-- Rabbi Haskal Lookstein, Congregation Kehilath Jeshurunm, New York
City
--Pastor Kirbyjon Caldwell, Senior Pastor, Windsor Village United
Methodist Church, Houston, TX
The service will conclude with a prayer for the nation delivered by
Donald W. Wuerl, Archbishop of Washington, D.C., followed by a closing
prayer provided by Bishop Katherine Jefferts-Schori, Presiding Bishop,
Episcopal Church USA and a benediction by the Reverend Wesley
Granberg-Michaelson, General Secretary of the Reformed Church in America
The Presidential Inaugural Committee previously announced that Sharon
E. Watkins, General Minister and President, Disciples of Christ
(Christian Church) will deliver the sermon.
Press for this event is pooled. Attendance is by invitation only
and tickets are required.
For the latest information on the 2009 Presidential Inauguration,
please visit www.pic2009.org.