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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
Contact: Elizabeth Mullen |
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CALIFORNIA TO BE HONORED WASHINGTON – California leaders and citizens will be celebrated at a special May 20 worship service at Washington National Cathedral. Pilgrims from the state and natives now living in the nation’s capital will gather at the majestic house of prayer for this event. Californians will play key roles in the service including reading Scripture, bearing communion elements and offering up gifts to the poor. An estimated 200 visitors from the state are expected. As part of its national ministry, Washington National Cathedral offers prayers for the people and leaders of each state annually. The Cathedral, which hosts state funerals and other events of national significance, honors each state with a major observance once every four years. “The National Cathedral Association invites all from California to participate in this special day,” said Vanessa Andrews, director of the National Cathedral Association, which is organizing the event. “Since 1899, when the association was founded, we have recognized that the strength of the National Cathedral is the citizens from across our nation who helped build this place, and who enliven it daily by worshiping here.” The Welsh Choir of Southern California, a San Marino-based choral group that is one of the largest Welsh choirs in the United States, will perform a 25-minute prelude to the 11 am California Day service, drawing on its broad repertoire of sacred hymns and other forms of Welsh music. The Right Rev. J. Jon Bruno of Pasadena, the bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles, will preside at the worship. Traveling groups from St. Paul’s Cathedral in San Diego and from St. James by the Sea Episcopal Church in La Jolla are scheduled to take part, along with members of the California State Society, the organization of Golden State natives now living in Washington. At the Cathedral’s 9 am service, George Mitrovich, president of The City Club of San Diego, will be featured as guest preacher. The City Club of San Diego has been recognized as one of the leading public forums in the nation. Mitrovich, a noted writer and former president and board member of the Ecumenical Council of San Diego County, has delivered sermons at many of the leading churches in the West. Following the service, the National Cathedral Association will host the coffee hour reception for all visitors. Afterwards, Cathedral guides will lead guests on special tours of the cathedral, the sixth-largest in the world. The tours will highlight references to California such as the St. Cecilia Processional Organ that was designed and built by James R. Garner of Crestline, and the Frohman Memorial Bay, which pays tribute to Philip Hubert Frohman of Pasadena, the Cathedral’s architect from 1921 until his death in 1972. “As a national house of prayer for all people, the Cathedral opens its doors to all. On May 20, we especially welcome California citizens as we honor their contributions to our nation,” Andrews said. “California State Day will be an energetic celebration of the role the state plays in the life of the Cathedral and our nation.” The National Cathedral Association, the organization of friends of Washington National Cathedral, has 14,000 members from many denominations in every state and around the world. Its regional volunteer leaders in California are Susan Hayes of Rancho Santa Fe, Mary P. Kinsey of Chula Vista, Bill Latham of Modesto, Nancy Wells Ypma of Costa Mesa and Barbara Colbert of Torrance.
ATTN PRINT MEDIA: An account of the celebration and photos from the event will be available on May 21. If you desire e-mail transmission of this account and/or photos sent as JPEG attachments please contact Elizabeth Mullen at the number above. Available on the web site are print-quality photos of Washington National Cathedral (you may also click “News” then “Photos for Print” at www.nationalcathedral.org.) | |