Filling Out the Inaugural Prayer Service Lineup

The foremost names on the Inaugural Prayer circuit have been Rick Warren and Bishop Gene Robinson. They represent a most divergent picture of American Protestantism. One is a leading Evangelical whose views of homosexuality have been hailed by some as mainstream and pilloried by others as not just anti-gay but downright derogatory. Gene Robinson is simply a divisive symbol for American Protestants, for his is the first openly gay bishop of the Episcopal Church. The number of Episcopalians in America may be diminishing, but the Episcopal Church is as close to being an established church as any in the nation. Consider for a moment that on the day of his Inauguration the President Elect will begin with a prayer service at St. John's Episcopal Church, just across the lawn from the White House (and interestingly enough T.D. Jakes will give the sermon at that private service) and the day after he will attend the national prayer service at the Washington National Cathedral -- it too being Episcopal. So, Robinson is symbolic in his own right.

Of course, I've made some hay about the fact that Obama has chosen my General Minister, the Rev. Dr. Sharon Watkins, to be the preacher at that inaugural prayer service at the National Cathedral.

What we haven't to this point seen is any sign that Obama would utilize folks from outside Protestantism to participate in these activities. Now the word is beginning to emerge as to who else will be on the various programs.

Today we learn that a prayer will be offered by Ingrid Mattson, the first woman president of the Islamic Society of North America. And three Rabbis will pray, one from each of the primary movements within American Judaism -- Reformed, Conservative, and Orthodox. There names are Reform Rabbi David Saperstein, Conservative Rabbi Jerome Epstein and Orthodox Rabbi Haskel Lookstein. In addition, the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Washington, The Most Rev. Donald Wuerl, will also participate.

Here is the complete line up from the Presidential Inaugural Committee website for the by invitation only event (I haven't received mine yet).

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.

Of these named persons, I'll for pride's sake point out that one of the scripture readers, Rev. Cynthia Hale is also a Disciple, and pastor of one of our fastest growing congregations in the Atlanta area.

I still can't find word on whether and where this will be televised -- assuming CSPAN.