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For Immediate Release FLORIDA TO BE HONORED AT WASHINGTON NATIONAL CATHEDRAL SPECIAL WORSHIP SERVICE TO CELEBRATE STATE’S TIES TO RELIGIOUS LANDMARK WASHINGTON -- Florida religious leaders, state residents and natives now living in the nation’s capital will celebrate the state and its people at special worship services and celebration September 21 at the landmark Washington National Cathedral. More than 300 Floridians are expected at an 11 a.m. service, making it one of the year’s major events at the national house of prayer. Florida natives will play key roles at the worship, as well as other events scheduled for that day. The Rev. Fred Morris of Orlando, executive director of the Florida Council of Churches, will deliver the sermon as guest preacher at Florida State Day. Morris will address the congregation from the historic Canterbury Pulpit, where the Rev. Martin Luther King delivered his final Sunday sermon. The Right Rev. John W. Howe, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Central Florida, will serve as chief celebrant, assisted by the Right Rev. Leo Frade of Miami, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Southeast Florida. As part of its national ministry, Washington National Cathedral offers prayers for the people and leaders of each state annually. The landmark cathedral honors each state with a major observance once every four years. “As a national house of prayer for all people, the cathedral opens its doors to all,” said Vanessa Andrews, director of the National Cathedral Association. "Florida State Day will be an energetic celebration of the role the state plays in the life of the cathedral and our nation.” Andrews noted one of the most popular features of the cathedral is the “Space Window,” a stained glass on the south side of the nave that commemorates America’s space explorations and contains a lunar rock donated by the crew of Apollo 11. The Hyde Park United Methodist Church Chancel Choir of Tampa will perform the prelude to the Florida service. “We have sung at St. Paul’s in London and Duomo in Italy but this will be more meaningful,” said choir director Nancy Callahan. “This is ours, our national cathedral.” Floridians will participate in the service’s opening procession and will bear communion elements and offer up gifts to the poor. Florida’s universities will be represented by alumni groups. The state flag will be placed on the chancel steps in the cathedral for the following week to further mark Florida State Day. Other events during the day will contain Florida flavor. The Rev. William H. Stokes, rector of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Delray Beach, will preach at the cathedral’s 9 a.m. service. Also, the Indialantic Chamber Singers will perform a prelude to the 4 p.m. service. Following the 11 a.m. service, the National Cathedral Association will host a reception for all visitors. Afterwards, docents will lead guests on a special cathedral tour highlighting where Florida is represented in the cathedral glass and stone. The National Cathedral Association, the organization of friends of Washington National Cathedral, has nearly 13,000 members from many denominations in every state and around the world. Its regional leaders in Florida are Betsy Latiff of Crystal River, John S. Townsend Jr., of Orlando, Pidge Boyles of Gainesville, Martha Hallowes of Jacksonville, Janice May of Jacksonville, Vernon Burnidge of Naples, Dr. and Mrs. Carl Stockton of Sarasota and Joanna Wragg of Crystal River. # # # ATTN PRINT MEDIA: An account of the celebration and photos from the event will be available on September 22. If you desire e-mail transmission of the account and/or photos sent as JPEG attachments please contact Steven Gotfried at the number above. Also, print-quality photos of Washington National Cathedral are available on our Website, www.nationalcathedral.org. Click on "Cathedral News." |