Ecumenical & Interfaith
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Historic days in January

Obama's multifaith choices for worship elicit reactions

In his inaugural address President Barack Obama said, “We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus -- and non-believers. We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every end of this earth; and because we have tasted the bitter swill of civil war and segregation, and emerged from that dark chapter stronger and more united, we cannot help but believe that the old hatreds shall someday pass; that the lines of tribe shall soon dissolve; that as the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall reveal itself; and that America must play its role in ushering in a new era of peace.”

The Chicago Tribune wrote that "never in recent history has there been such a fuss" about the president-elect inviting "God to the inaugural ceremonies." The Tribune notes that some say there was a "departure from an American civic religion to a more sectarian approach" that calls attention to differences, while the Washington Post reported that the January 21 National Prayer Service "had a strongly nonsectarian feel, with many prayers mentioning no deity in particular." Matthew Weiner of New York City's interfaith center wrote in Huffington Post that "we live in a nation that is, however religiously plural, institutionally, or at least civically, framed by Christianity," as shown in such realities as the Christian blessings at the inauguration itself and the locale of the service on the following day.

Conservative rabbi Jerome Epstein commented that Obama and his team "have really looked at this diversity issue in a serious way and have said we don't have to all agree but we've got to band together for the common cause." A Hindu professor of media studies at the University of San Francisco wrote in the Huffington Post that Obama's mention of "some of the world's great religions" in his inaugural speech "can be seen as recognition not just of the people who follow them, but more universally the fact that religion is an immense cultural resource that human beings have used to co-exist, serve one another, and give meaning to the world . . ." But others missed mention of or participation by Buddhists or Sikhs or others.

Jewish rabbi Arthur Waskow was impressed by the prayers said by Christians Rick Warren and Joseph Lowery at the inauguration, as well, and saw that the prayers would resonate with Muslims and Jews. U.S. News & World Report particularly commented on the Warren prayer, saying Warren was trying to be a bridge-builder.

National prayer service broadcast live

At an historic moment in the United States, the National Cathedral hosted the traditional National Prayer Service on January 21, the day after the inauguration. Viewers can still access the webcast of the service on demand at the cathedral web site, where the service leaflet and the full text of the sermon are also available.

Barack Obama selected a broad spectrum of interfaith leaders to lead in the service. It was intended to be "a worship service for all Americans." The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) was represented at this service by the stated clerk, Gradye Parsons, and the General Assembly moderator, Bruce Reyes-Chow.

Sharon Watkins, a U.S. and international ecumenical figure, .preached -- the first woman to ever been honored by an invitation to serve in this role. Watkins is the general minister and president of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), a member of the National Council of Churches (NCC) governing board and the central committee of the World Council of Churches (WCC) who has given service on the WCC's permanent committee for consensus and collaboration.

The distinguished black churchman Otis Moss Jr. (pictured left), a Baptist, offered the opening prayer; and the Episcopal Church's presiding bishop, Katharine Jefferts-Schori, offered the closing prayer. Wesley Granberg-Michaelson, the general secretary of the Reformed Church in America and a key leader in movements toward expanded ecumenism, gave the benediction. One of the scripture readers at the service was Archbishop Demetrios, Primate of the Greek Orthodox Church in America. The Psalm was read by Reform Jewish leader David Saperstein. Responsive prayers were offered by a group that included Ingrid Mattson of the Islamic Society of North America, Uma Mysorekar of the Hindu Temple Society of North America (pictured right), Conservative Jewish rabbi Jerome Epstein, Orthodox Jewish rabbi Haskel Lookstein, and Jim Wallis of Sojourners magazine.

Media commentary included Jewish reporting on the presence of an Orthodox rabbi in a situation that did not conform to the rules of the Rabbinical Council of America and Associated Press article with a headline that sensationalized U.S. government allegations made against the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA).

There was also prayer at the luncheon immediately following the inauguration ceremony, given by Seventh-day Adventist pastor Barry Black, who is the Senate chaplain and was formerly the chief of chaplains for the U.S. Navy.

Watkins' sermon builds links with Muslim letter

Religious leaders send messages to Obama

Among the many messages that have been sent to Obama at the time he begins his presidency, thoughtful letters and statements have gone from religious leaders. Among them:

• The U.S. Conference of the World Council of Churches (WCC) -- inclusive of 34 churches -- has sent a letter pledging not to point fingers at the administration but to "partner with you to help bring about the changes that are so desperately needed." Signers include PC(USA) stated clerk Gradye Parsons, associate stated clerk Robina Winbush, and young adult U.S. Conference member Vanesa Davila-Luciano of the PC(USA).

• The general secretary of the National Council of Churches (NCC), Michael Kinnamon, and the PC(USA)'s coordinator for social policy, Christian Iosso, penned an op-ed piece that is intended to be a message to President Obama based upon the Social Creed for the 21st Century that has been adopted by both the NCC and PC(USA) general assembly, among others.

• Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) prepared a letter to Obama that was signed by church letters, then opened to for signatures by others who wishes to sign. The ecumenical letter calls for the president to provide leadership toward a final agreement that establishes a Palestinian state alongside a secure Israel. On the eve of the inauguration, CMEP issued a further statement asking Obama to take urgent action, given the fragility of the cease fire that resulted from decisions by Israel and Hamas.

• The American Jewish Committee (AJC) provided the Obama transition team with a set of wide-ranging policy recommendations for the new administration.

Muslim groups release peace doves before the Inauguration

On Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, on the day before the Presidential Inauguration, the American Muslim Taskforce on Civil Rights and Elections (AMT), a coalition of 12 major Islamic organizations, released 44 doves, one for each American president. They intended the release to symbolize the American Muslim community’s desire for a more peaceful world and to highlight the key role a president plays in achieving peace based on justice and freedom.

Obama was mindful of Islam in his inaugural address when he said, "To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect."

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