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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
Contact: Elizabeth Mullen |
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SOUTH CAROLINA TO BE HONORED WASHINGTON – South Carolina leaders and citizens will be celebrated at a special July 15 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. South Carolinians will play key roles in the service including reading Scripture, bearing communion elements and offering up gifts to the poor. An estimated 150 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 Cathedral invites all from South Carolina 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 Árpád Darázs Singers, of Columbia, combined with other singers from other churches and choral groups from across the state, will offer a 25-minute prelude to the 11 am South Carolina Day service, drawing on its repertoire of sacred hymns and other traditional and contemporary choral works. The Right Rev. Dorsey F. Henderson, Jr., of Columbia, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Upper South Carolina, will preside at the worship. The Rev. Canon William Barnwell, a South Carolina native who serves as canon missioner of Washington National Cathedral, will deliver the sermon. Nell Barr, of West Columbia, will read Scripture and will be recognized as the longest-serving regional volunteer leader of the National Cathedral Association. Following the service, the Cathedral will host a reception for all worshipers and 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 South Carolina, such as the coats of arms of the Episcopal cathedral in Charleston that is carved on a half-boss in the cathedral ceiling, and the South Carolina 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 July 15, we especially welcome South Carolina citizens as we honor their contributions to our nation,” Andrews said. “South Carolina 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 leaders in South Carolina include Bobbi J. Kennedy of Columbia, an NCA trustee.
ATTN PRINT MEDIA: An account of the celebration and photos from the event will be available on July16. 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.) | |