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Attn: Religion Writer MAJOR EVENT CELEBRATES CONNECTICUT AT WASHINGTON NATIONAL CATHEDRAL WASHINGTON — Connecticut residents from more than a dozen communities were enlisted into key roles at a major event August 17 marking Connecticut State Day at Washington National Cathedral. More than 150 worshipers from the state, including religious leaders, led the celebration at the national house of prayer. The Rev. Dr. Stephen J. Sidorak, Jr., executive director of the Christian Conference of Connecticut, was featured as guest preacher. In a sermon that challenged President Bush on terrorism, he said the Bush administration’s policy to employ military power to pre-empt U.S. adversaries was born of an “oversimplified world view” that pits good against evil. “Lamentably our anxiety over terrorism has led to extremism in policy,” Sidorak said from the Canterbury Pulpit, where the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King delivered his final Sunday sermon. The Christian Conference is a Hartford-based organization of 15 Catholic, Protestant and Orthodox denominations in the state. Sidorak, who is a United Methodist minister, said Bush’s policies have contributed to mounting worries among Americans. “Our nation’s policies cause us exceeding anxiety because we recognize they could bring about the very thing they seek to avert — the use of weapons of mass destructions and worldwide war,” he said. “Much of the anxiety that afflicts our living of these days probably can be attributed to the misplaced trust we put in the self-righteous, militaristic, kingdom-building tendencies of our own nation, seeking a security only God can grant,” Sidorak told the congregation of 750 worshipers. Washington National Cathedral, in seeking to fulfill its outreach mission to all faiths, sets aside one major state day each month. The National Cathedral Association organized the Connecticut event, inviting religious and political leaders and parishioners from around the state to take part in the 11 a.m. service. The National Cathedral Association has more than 13,000 members from denominations in every state. Sidorak said in an interview his sermon took root in a speech Bush delivered at Washington National Cathedral on Sept. 14, 2001, three days after terrorists destroyed the World Trade Center. The president vowed then “to answer these attacks and rid the world of evil.” “I was deeply offended when I heard the president of the United States in this cathedral arrogate unto our nation the kind of prerogratives that belong to God,” Sidorak said. He said he organized his address with help from William Sloane Coffin, noted civil rights and peace advocate. The Right Rev. James E. Curry, Bishop Suffragan of the Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut, led the service. The visitors were welcomed by the Right Rev. A. Theodore Eastman, Vicar of Washington National Cathedral. The 35-member Heritage Chorale of New Haven performed a 20-minute service prelude. Choir director and founder Jonathan Q. Berryman said the spirituals selected for the event were part of the group’s repertoire, adding it was a challenge to perform a cappella in a large cathedral. During rehearsal early Sunday, Berryman coached the choir to reach within for strong sounds that would resonate. “Today you are going to SING!” he exhorted. Afterwards he proclaimed himself satisfied. “They did very well,” he said. Connecticut residents played key roles throughout the service. Diana Grubbs of Branford and Valerie Mead of Stamford, regional leaders of the National Cathedral Association, read Scripture. Randall Brown of Manchester, Christine Martoccio of Pine Meadows, Edward Cape of West Hartford, Mary Gray of Guilford and Shirley McGarry of Manchester carried gifts to the altar during the offertory. Acolytes representing Episcopal parishes in East Berlin, Ansonia, Pine Meadows, Hartford, Glastonbury, Northford and Stamford participated in the service-opening procession, carrying colorful banners and placing them to the side of the altar. Ken Evans of Putnam carried the Connecticut flag in the opening procession. The flag was to remain on the chancel steps for a week in further recognition of the state. A reception followed the service, sponsored by the National Cathedral Association. Bishop Curry and Rev. Sidorak were presented pins signifying NCA membership. Afterwards, guides offered special tours, pointing out to Connecticut visitors how their state is represented in the stone and glass of the cathedral, the sixth-largest in the world. # # # Office of Public Affairs August 18, 2003 ATTN PRINT MEDIA: If you desire e-mail transmission of this 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.cathedral.org/cathedral. Click on "Cathedral News." |