At inaugural prayer service, a message of renewal and ‘repairing the breach’
The service featured prayers and sermons from some of Donald Trump s biggest religious critics. Doug Emhoff, from left, Vice President Kamala Harris, President Joe Biden, and first lady Jill Biden bow their heads in prayer during a virtual Presidential Inaugural Prayer Service, in the State Dinning Room of the White House, Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
January 21, 2021
WASHINGTON (RNS) Dozens of faith leaders participated in a virtual edition of the interfaith National Prayer Service hosted by the Washington National Cathedral on Thursday (Jan. 21), gathering digitally for a service that articulated a spiritual endorsement of diversity, healing and “repairing the breach.”
Bishop William J. Barber II, the co-chair of the Poor People’s Campaign, preaches a homily as part of the Washington National Cathedral s virtual presidential inaugural prayer service on Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021. | Screengrab: Facebook/Greenleaf Christian Church DOC
Bishop William J. Barber II, the co-chair of the Poor People’s Campaign, warned President Joe Biden and others listening to the Presidential Inaugural Prayer Service Thursday against issuing “simplistic calls for unity. The progressive leader called for repentance of “policy sin.”
The day after the inauguration, as with past transitions of power in the United States, the Washington National Cathedral hosted the National Prayer Service, also called the Presidential Inaugural Prayer Service.
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From left: Darion Newkirk, 17; USF student, Tara Kok, 35; Josie Caglianone, 30; Charles Norfolk, 12; Trevor Lucas, 11 and Parker Shuler, 12 dig for mulch being used at the St. Pete Youth Farm s MLK Day of Service on Monday January 18, 2021. [ BOYZELL HOSEY | Times ]
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From left and walking forward members of the St. Pete Youth Farm: Anaya Graham, 15, Jade Hinton, 16 and Makai Smith, 14 carry soil on their MLK Day of Service on Monday January 18, 2021. The students were part of a contingent of volunteers brought together to continue the work associated with building out the urban farm located on property just behind the Enoch Davis Center in St. Petersburg, Fl. [ BOYZELL HOSEY | Times ]
Joe Biden and Kamala Harris have selected Barber, a fiery preacher and anti-poverty activist, as one of several Black clergy to bless their incoming administration.
The Rev. William Barber II to headline interfaith inauguration prayer service
Patti LaBelle and Josh Groban will offer musical performances. The Washington National Cathedral on June 12, 2015. RNS photo by Sally Morrow
January 19, 2021
WASHINGTON (RNS) The Washington National Cathedral will host a virtual iteration of its traditional interfaith worship service the day after Joe Biden’s inauguration, with activist and pastor the Rev. William Barber II preaching the sermon.
The gathering, a long-standing inaugural tradition, will be hosted by the Rev. Randy Hollerith, the cathedral’s dean, and Bishop Mariann Budde, the Episcopal bishop of Washington.
“This Cathedral is a House of Prayer for All People and a sacred space where America gathers in moments of deep significance, and we are honored to welcome the nation to pause, give thanks and seek God’s help in the hard work ahead,” Hollerith said in a press release. “We thank President Biden, Vice Presid