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Contact: Elizabeth Mullen |
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WISCONSIN CELEBRATED WASHINGTON – The people and leaders of Wisconsin were elevated in prayer on February 11 during a special worship service held at Washington National Cathedral. The event drew roughly 600 worshipers to the cathedral’s 11 am service, including visitors from Wisconsin and natives of the state who now live in the Washington area. People from the Badger State played major roles including reading Scripture and delivering gifts to the altar during the service offertory. The Cathedral, which has hosted state funerals and other events of national significance, focuses on an individual state one Sunday each month, inviting church and civic leaders and worshipers of all faiths to raise their communities in prayer. The Rev. Steve Huber, Washington National Cathedral’s vicar, welcomed the Wisconsin visitors, and said he was thankful for the state’s support of the Cathedral’s missions. “You help us in our ministry not just in this city but to the nation,” Huber said. “You help us to be a voice across the country through your generous spirit, so your partnership is very important to us.” The Rev. Canon Howard Anderson, warden of the Cathedral College, delivered the sermon, based on the Gospel passage of St. Luke that recounted the Sermon on the Plain where Jesus preached to multitudes that the poor shall inherit the kingdom of God. Anderson said the gospel showed that Christ’s message was almost revolutionary, “offering a way for common people to experience God” at a time when they were regarded with disdain by the higher classes. “His way is not just for the fulltime professionals, or the intellectuals or the professionally religious, or even for the particularly pious,” Anderson said. “It was for everybody, particularly those who did not think they had a chance—the tax collectors, the publicans, the Roman centurions and those whom life had beaten down. “And that is true no matter how beat down we are, how depressed we are, how without hope, how absolutely uninspired or common we are,” he said. Wisconsin visitors played key roles throughout the service. U.S. Rep. Tom Petri read Scripture. He said the Cathedral “provides a focus for people to come and participate with some of their fellow citizens in a service of worship.” Erik Oksala, director of federal-state relations for Gov. Jim Doyle, carried the Wisconsin flag into the service and placed it on the chancel steps where it was to remain for a week in further recognition of the state. Margaret and Paul Irwin of Middleton, Brian Perschon of Pewaukee, Brian Latus of Milwaukee and Dr. Dale Kastberg, chair of the National Cathedral Association volunteer committee from Delafield, delivered gifts to the altar during the Offertory. The National Cathedral Association, the friends organization of the Cathedral coordinates Major State Days services to celebrate and recognize the people of each state. Afterwards guides led cathedral tours highlighting references to Wisconsin including the state seal that is represented on a needlepoint wall hanging in the War Memorial Chapel, and needlepoint kneelers in St. John’s Chapel honor Frederick Jackson Turner and Frank Lloyd Wright.
ATTN PRINT MEDIA: 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 (“Photos for Print” under “News” at www.cathedral.org/cathedral). | |