Saturday, January 17, 2009

Let us pray






We are all children of the same universe

They say if you don't learn from history you are bound to repeat it. It is time now for us to unify. We've seen what divisive, negative actions lead to, it is time for us to break away from that. 
In this spirit, here are some interesting facts about the Obama inauguration.
Some full spectrum prayer going on~

Clergy include:

V. Gene Robinson, the first openly gay Episcopal bishop, to lead prayersat Sunday's kickoff for the inauguration at the Lincoln Memorial.
 
• Rev. Rick Warren, a Southern Baptist, who opposes gay marriage, and women's rights, to deliver the invocation. 

• Rev. Sharon Watkins, the first woman president of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), a Protestant group, will deliver the sermon.

• Ingrid Mattson, the first woman president of the Islamic Society of North America. The Islamic Society, is the nation's largest Muslim group.

• Three Rabbis, representing the three major branches of American Judaism, will also say a prayer at the service.
• Reform Rabbi David Saperstein
• Conservative Rabbi Jerome Epstein
• Orthodox Rabbi 

• The Most Rev. Donald Wueri, a Roman Catholic archbishop of Washington, will also lead a prayer. 

Obama will attend a service at St. John's Church, the "Church of the Presidents, as many previous presidents have. 

• The Rev. Joseph Lowery, a Methodist, considered the "dean of the civil rights movement", will give the inaugural benediction.

I have to say, I do like the many faiths approach to the inauguration. 


Since it' Sunday, I'm going to go "gospel" on you. Not in the preaching kind of way, but gospel music. As we are on the cusp of a week that celebrates both the remembrance of Dr. Martin Luther King jr., and the historic presidential inauguration of our country's first black president, it is a time to reflect ~ looking back and forward. 

The journeys that took us to the place we are now, have required some Amazing Grace.



Amazing Grace ~ History



Soweto Gospel Choir~ Amazing Grace

Speaking of Ringing in Change~

Trinity Church in lower Manhattan will be tolling their 12 church bells in what is called a "full peal" which lasts 3 1/2 hours. Wow! I wish I could be there to hear that. 

12 skilled ringers will pull on sturdy ropes in the bell tower to mark the historic occasion right after the inauguration ceremony is complete. 3 1/2 hours of bell ringing!





Change ringing is a way to express joy in the community. "The centuries old method produces a rich and complex combination of sounds with endless tonal patterns that have no recognizable melody."



Let's open our hearts to the change, and call upon a higher power to help us start anew in this country and as a part of the global community. We are going to need all the help we can get. 

Let Freedom Ring!

13 comments:

D.K. Raed said...

it looks like most of the mainstream religions in america will be covered! guess the religious p.c. police are happy. and if it helps to heal some of the divisive anger, then it is good.

loved the bell vids!

Fran said...

I think it goes beyond just appeasing all religions, but breaking the stereotype of a certain brand of religion & the segregation between religions. I think it was Mauigirl who said the Dems are going to have to learn to work together. For a long while, the right wing especially the christian was deemed to be owned by the GOP. They were such a vast disappointment, people abandoned ship.

WE really do have to accept each other's differences- race,color, creed, sexual orientation, all of it to come together & figure out how to save ourselves, our planet & get along. Peacefully co exist.

Anyway, I did not know Amazing Grace has been sung through so many important crossroads in history, and I love the bells. Wish I could hear them live.

Distributorcap said...

call me insane - but this supposed to be a secular nation - there should not be any religious aspect to the inauguration

enigma4ever said...

Great post...
really captured the moment...I love the Bells part...I hope Bells do Ring ALL over the World...( off subject- but when vietnam ended I went and Rang Bells at a church..the BIG bells...a group of us did it...and it was a BLAST...and unforgettable to hang on a HUGE rope and I didn't hear for days...so Worth it....)

But you captured the spirit ...the Soweto Singers and Amazing grace too....

I posted the song "People get Ready" today....because the song is about Faith...and I do think Obama is trying to reach out to ALL faithes, and telling people to reclaim their faith,and I do think the list was chosen with care....But the Rick thing will bother me for a long time......( now picky me- I would have loved to have seen some shamans, a Dali, and even a Quaker Elder and some WIca, and a Unitarian in the Mix....but ce la vie)....

Lowery is the one 6-6 and I heard at Coretta's funeral that rocked it...really stunning...

It's Happening Fran...it REALLY is....Right HERE , RIGHT NOW....

Wow...

( I have been lighting candles and incense all week.....my house smells like a monastery...and I saw the other night on Rachel a group is lighting Sage in DC....yeah....there is alot of Energy Cleansing going on ...Spirits getting ready)

Annette said...

I am hoping someone is not just lighting sage but fumigating...

I love the fact that so many different religions are being represented. I think it has been too long that the GOP has thought they were the ones that OWNED religion. That was one of the things that drew me to PEBO in the first place 4 well almost 5 years ago in 2004, his speech at the DNC.. when he said we worship an awesome God in the Blue states. That touched my heart and I have watched him since. Well, the rest of the speech was pretty awesome too...but just reminding everyone we didn't have to be divided..that was the best part.

And he hasn't changed his message yet. That's the best part. Yes, people have reacted badly sometimes, but he still stays on course no matter what. You have to say that.

Unknown said...

Hey wonder woman, I tagged you with a fun meme that gets both of us away from politics for a brief moment. Check out my blogorama for details ok?

Hugs and keep your powder dry! ;p

Fran said...

D Cap~ Fair enough~re the secular perspective. Not calling you insane- the fact is Presidential swearing in does not require using a Bible, it is the choice of the incoming President. Obama is using Lincoln's Inaugural Bible.

I wish they had ALL religions included in a circle of one big spiritual gathering offering several moments of silent prayer/meditation/reflection together- yes they forgot Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh, Bahai, Shinto, Jainism, Taoism & Zorostrianism, and Confucianism.

In the real world, Faith happens. There have been all kinds of religious wars throughout history, so the idea of coming together, in unity, respecting our differences is an excellent starting place.
I love the fact they have a Reverend from the MLK jr. Civil Rights movement, linking that era to this new horizon.

And no the GOP does not have religion cornered in their political spectrum.
Plus honestly, Bush left this place in such ruins, it is probably going to require some kind of Divine intervention.

Please know I am not selling any brand of religion here ( closing jesus reference in the Amazing Grace history clip). Personally I am somewhere between Buddhist, Unitarian & Quaker, Non Dogma quasi spiritual type.

I embrace the idea that all religions hold a piece of the light & truth, and learning from history, we need to respect each other’s culture & beliefs and find a way to get along in this world.
Amazing Grace is a universal gospel song, that is an amazing story~ Slave trader turned Slave freedom advocate.
Also, the Amazing Grace reference serves as a nice segway to MLK jr. day. He was Baptist Preacher.
MLK jr’s life captured the spirit and essence of Amazing Grace.
In any case, we need all the help we can get, and coming together with many faiths in unison, is a good start. I'd rather we be praying than warring.

E ~ Yes! Bells ringing all over the world... a kind of universal Om. Very cool that you had the chance to ring the enormous bells. Kind of surprised bell ringers don't wear industrial ear protection. Still what a great experience. It was interesting to hear the story & these are the only set of 12 like it in the US. I agree, the net should have been thrown wider, being even more inclusive-- (named a few above too)... Well, maybe next time??? (reelection if he does well??)

It is not just a procedural change, it really is bigger than that. And I do beleve Obama has true leadership qualities, and some kind of inner light.
Cleanse , burn, purge, enlighten
A new day dawns.

LOL re your place wreaking like a monastery!

Annette~ I was thinking they do need special cleansing & purging of the White House before they move in. Fumigation & an Exorcism maybe?
Do they make evil spirit remover?
Yes- Enough with the division & Obama has been steady and calm, good qualities he is going to need.

We are all sooo ready to ring in the change.

Christopher said...

Fran,

Stop by when you can. There's a fresh controversy brewing.

HBO censored the feed today showing openly gay Rev. Gene Robinson.

Of course, since Obama sold the broadcast rights to HBO, and HBO's long history of pro-gay programming, the suggestion is, the decision was a directive from Team Obama.

Annette said...

Fran, I just tagged you!!!!

Mauigirl said...

Fran, thanks for posting the many different religions being represented at the inaugural events. I didn't realize there was going to be this kind of diversity, and I'm glad to see it. While I do agree with DCap that religion and government should be separate, I think that if there is going to be religious aspects of a government sponsored event then the only way to do it is to have a wide variety of religions represented.

Fran said...

Thanks for the update Christopher. Robinsons presence gave balance to the Warren debacle (hate monger at the ceremony in an official capacity).

I recommend fixing it by adding Robinson to the actual ceremony on Tuesday.

I did post his prayer on your blog comments & on my blog.

At least we the people can share his words/prayer.
Maybe this will make it even more popular?

Not liking this direction though.
If you are going to include religion (DCAP pointed out separation of church & state) than should be all inclusive.

Obama's camp needs to fix this. Bring Robinson to the Tuesday invocation. Have him pray first & sit next to Warren. Hallelujah & Amen!!!!!

Fran said...

Annette, I am real limited on time & just got tagged by Dusty.... don't know if it is the same thing, but please don;t take it personally if I don;t get around to it anytime soon.


Maui~ Amen! I like the idea of a large circle of all clergy types just do a massive group prayer, or time of silence, or something to keep it all inclusive and neutral.

Fran said...

Annette, I am real limited on time & just got tagged by Dusty.... don't know if it is the same thing, but please don;t take it personally if I don;t get around to it anytime soon.


Maui~ Amen! I like the idea of a large circle of all clergy types just do a massive group prayer, or time of silence, or something to keep it all inclusive and neutral.