First woman to lead inaugural national prayer service
[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/01/11/art.sharonwatkins.disciplesorg.jpg caption="Rev. Sharon Watkins has been selected to lead the sermon at the inaugural National Prayer Service."]
(CNN) - Rev. Sharon Watkins will deliver the sermon at the traditional National Prayer Service on January 21 - a day after Barack Obama is sworn in as president, the Presidential Inaugural Committee announced Sunday.
Watkins - the general minister and president of the 700,000-member Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) - will be the first woman to deliver the sermon at the traditional inaugural event, which takes place at the National Cathedral in northwest Washington, D.C.
"I am truly honored to speak at this historic occasion. ... I hope that my message will call us to believe in something bigger than ourselves and remind us to reach out to all of our neighbors to build communities of possibility," she said in a press release.
The National Prayer Service, according to the inaugural committee, is a a tradition dating back to the nation's first president. The service includes prayers and hymns delivered by various religious leaders.
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This must be to offset the criticism of Obama's pick of that fat cat bigot, Rick Warren.
Apparently she does not support gay marriage...
There should be no national prayer service. Period.
It is time that those of us who seek a return to the separation of church and state stand up and speak out against this ridiculous national prayer "tradition", which has its roots in 20th centurny fundamentalism, NOT constitutional democracy.
I'm truly surprised that there hasn't been an immediate outcry from some group about this selection. "Her hair's too long". "She has a funny smile that may be offensive to someone." "Her estrogen level isn't high enough!" Everybody wants to complain about something but offer no solutions. Instead of crying about who's giving what prayer and when they do it, we need to begin thinking about how to fix the near incomprehensible mess Bush has left in his wake. It's truly amazing how much damage one man can inflict and then have that same man be dismissive of the carnage.
I can't believe that we even have a prayer service. What an offense.
Why is religion, any religion, part of the inaugural ceremony? Why is a presentation by Rev. Watkins and Pastor Warren part of a governmental function? Separation of Church and State – keep your religious beliefs to yourself, and keep them out of government.
Beautiful!!
God bless all Americans.
"National Prayer Service?" Why in the world do we have to clutter things up with endless superstitious blather?
Gods and the scientific method are both the result of ignorance–but the scientific method actually works in alleviating that. Isn't about time the human race leaves behind the silly mumbo-jumbo? And, while we're at it, all the hatred and divisiveness religion brings?
Personally, I have no faith in ministers of any kind although I am a Christian. However, I'm sure she will do a good job.
Wonderful!
This shows how far we've come since the inception this secular nation, not one that is founded on "christian principles". National Prayer Service? Forget negotiations and intelligence and national security, just pray and all will be well, like it was in the dark ages.
"National Prayer Service"?!? How is this not illegal? Seriously–this is like a blatant violation of the Constitution and separation of Church and State!
please put prayer back in our schools, if you look back to all the terrible things that have happened since it was taken out, it would take a complete idiot to not see how things started getting worse for our children after it was taken out.
Prayer service, OMG no. This is going to offend a lot of people. Should we be concerned or what?
I am a member of the Disciples of Christ denomination – it speaks of inclusion, peace, and understanding. Glad to hear about this, especially after Rick Warran.
Now that the Democratic Party got their first black candidate NOW they care about women. I think they lost all credibility when they threw Hillary under the bus.
A regular churchgoer, or a beleiever in God, but does he (Obama) live like one, who is pleasing God, or just any other unbelievers??
The truth is sure coming out now.
It's fantastic that a woman of God will be LEADING the sermon at the Inaugural National Prayer Service! She will be an excellent example for other women in the Body called upon by the Holy Spirit to serve, despite those who think the Spirit cannot and would not call upon a woman in a "leadership role" for Christ.
Change has come indeed. God Bless Obama. Praise God! : )
she looks like a tard