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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Major Event Celebrates Louisiana at Washington National Cathedral State Religious Leaders Preside at Service Attended By 100+ Louisianans WASHINGTON — About a hundred Louisianans were led in worship and celebration by prominent religious figures from the state at a special service held March 17 at Washington National Cathedral. Pilgrims from the state and dozens of natives who live in the Washington area took part in Louisiana State Day, designated by Washington National Cathedral as a day to recognize the people and leaders of the Pelican State. The Right Rev. Charles E. Jenkins III, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana, presided at the cathedral’s 11 a.m. service. About 600 other worshipers joined the celebration The event, which coincided with St. Patrick’s Day, was marked by good cheer. Bishop Jenkins read a proclamation by Louisiana Gov. Mike Foster noting contributions that state residents have made to Washington National Cathedral, including their willingness “to gather in any place and at any moment to ‘pass a good time together.’” “Citizens of Louisiana believe that their presence at such gatherings can add a measure of spontaneity and zest appropriate to our great state’s heritage and culture and character,” the governor’s proclamation read. Bishop Jenkins later observed with a smile that, as a Louisiana celebration, the state day event was akin to a “toned down fais-do-do” the Cajun communal dance. He also pointed out the Lenten vestments worn by the service celebrants were purple and gold, the colors of Louisiana State University. “And add in the green of St. Patrick’s Day and you have the Mardi Gras,” he said. With the nation at war and segments of the citizenry dealing with economic hard times, Bishop Jenkins spoke seriously of the value of people gathering at a national place of worship on occasions such as Louisiana State Day. “It reminds us of the transitory nature of some things and the permanent nature of other things, like the fellowship of one another and of God,” he said. The Rev. Dr. Chris Andrews, pastor of the First United Methodist Church of Baton Rouge, delivered the sermon. On a day when the gospel reading was of Jesus resurrecting Lazarus, Rev. Andrews discussed the power of words to generate hope and to lift spirits when spoken by people to one another with conviction. “We are not here today to be disappointed,” Rev. Andrews said. “Those who find their hope are those who know something of the aliveness of Jesus Christ and his grace and his gospel. What makes us alive is the ability to hear great words and to speak great words.” Rev. Andrews afterwards described the experience of preaching in the cathedral, the sixth-largest in the world, as “wonderful and humbling.” Washington National Cathedral is “a house of prayer for all people,” he said. “This is a place in the stitching of the tapestry of the nation where the knot is made. It holds the threads together. It creates a national ethos we need to be a people.” Washington National Cathedral, in seeking to fulfill its outreach mission, sets aside one major state day each month. The Very Rev. Nathan D. Baxter, the cathedral dean, welcomed the Louisianans. “The mission of this cathedral is truly to me not just a national house of prayer for all people but a place where people can come together and feel spiritually welcome,” he said. “To see you here, making the effort to come and share with us, says to us you feel that spirit of welcome.” "We brought the spirit and joie de vivre of the Bayou State to this Cathedral today," said Ray Foote, director of the National Cathedral Association and a native of Alexandria, La. "I am proud to see dozens from my home state here to celebrate with us the many ways Louisianans have contributed to this sacred place and to our nation. Generations of people from Louisiana have sustained this national house of prayer for all people and for that we are thankful." Louisianans played key roles throughout the service. Bobby Pyush Jindal, a Baton Rouge native who serves as assistant secretary for planning and evaluation at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, read Scripture, as did Duke Shackelford, a National Cathedral Association member from Bonita. Ed Miller of Baton Rouge, who works in Washington as a representative of Louisiana State University, carried the state flag in the service processional and placed it on the chancel steps where it will remain for a week to further recognize the state. Carl and Barbara Fuglein of Slidell, Dr. Thomas and Susie Quaid of Baton Rouge and Rosemary Pinkard of Lake Charles carried gifts to the altar during the service offertory. After the service, the National Cathedral Association hosted a reception in the Pilgrim Observatory Gallery for Louisiana visitors. Dean Baxter and cathedral staff presented pins signifying National Cathedral Association membership to Bishop Jenkins and his wife Louise; Dr. Andrews and his wife Gloria; and Bobby Jindal and his wife Supriya, and their 10-week-old daughter Selia. Following the reception, guides conducted special tours, pointing out to Louisianans how their state is represented in the stone and glass of the cathedral. The National Cathedral Association has over 13,000 members from many denominations in every state. ATTN PRINT MEDIA: If you desire e-mail transmission of this account and/or photos sent as JPEG attachments please contact Carrie B. Tydings at the number above. Also, print-quality photos of Washington National Cathedral are available on our Website, www.cathedral.org/cathedral. Click on "Cathedral News." |