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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
Contact: Elizabeth Mullen |
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FLORIDA TO BE HONORED WASHINGTON – Florida leaders and citizens will be celebrated at a special June 17 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. Floridians will play key roles in the service including reading Scripture, bearing communion elements and offering up gifts to the poor. An estimated 100 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 Florida 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 Indialantic Chamber Singers, from Brevard County, will perform a 25-minute prelude to the 11 am Florida Day service, drawing on its broad repertoire of sacred hymns and other traditional and contemporary choral works. The Right Rev. Dabney Smith of Sarasota, bishop coadjutor of the Episcopal Diocese of Southwest Florida, will preside at the worship. Following the service, the National Cathedral Association will host a reception for all visitors. Afterwards, docents will lead guests on a special tour of the cathedral, the sixth-largest in the world. The tour will highlight references to Florida, such as the coats of arms of the Episcopal cathedrals in Orlando and Jacksonville that are carved on half-bosses in the cathedral ceiling, and the Florida state seal that is incorporated into a needlepoint wall hanging in the Memorial Chapel. “As a national house of prayer for all people, the Cathedral opens its doors to all. On June 17, we especially welcome Florida citizens as we honor their contributions to our nation,” Andrews said. “Florida 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 Florida are Betsy Latiff of Crystal River, Mrs. Pidge Boyles of Gainesville, John Townsend, Jr., of Orlando, Martha Hallowes of Jacksonville, Janice May of Jacksonville, and Dr. and Mrs. Carl Stockton of Sarasota, and Joanna Wragg of Key Biscayne.
ATTN PRINT MEDIA: An account of the celebration and photos from the event will be available on June 18. 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.) | |