Will Obama's new church be the Washington National Cathedral

[DCBob]

A Church for the Obamas
By Sally Quinn
Saturday, November 22, 2008; Page A15

Along with the speculation on what kind of puppy Sasha and Malia will choose, where the kids will go to school (it's Sidwell Friends), and, oh yes, who will be appointed to the White House staff and the Cabinet, the matter of where the Obamas will choose to worship is drawing a lot of interest in Washington and elsewhere. I would like to recommend Washington National Cathedral. The cathedral sits atop a hill overlooking all of Washington. It is an extraordinarily imposing structure whose beckoning towers can be seen from nearly every point in the city. It is also "The" National Cathedral. It's the place where, in recent years, presidents have gone for the inaugural prayer service the day after being sworn in, where ex-presidents are mourned at their death, where presidents and Americans as a people congregate during moments of crisis, as they did after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. "The reality is that the cathedral serves as a sacred space for the nation," says Sam Lloyd, dean of the cathedral. "A place the nation looks to in critical times."

Washington National Cathedral also transcends politics and even the separation of religions. Though nominally an Episcopal church, it welcomes everyone. It is at once deeply Christian and deeply interfaith. The Episcopal Church has a long history of inclusiveness. The first black bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, John Walker, presided there. Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori, the first female presiding bishop in the Episcopal Church, was inducted there. And Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson of the Diocese of New Hampshire was the first openly gay bishop in Christendom.

more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/21/AR2008112102649.html?hpid=opinionsbox1
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I agree. It fits Obama nicely. Beautiful building and grounds as well.

[TexasProgresive]

1. That would be a strictly polictical move

Since the Obamas formerly worshiped in a United Church of Christ congregation that had many black people I don't think they would find high church episcopalian worship quite to their liking. I like to believe that the Obamas are genuine people and would not worship where it is political expedient.

[CTyankee]

2. I hear what you are saying but from what I know about the UCC they probably wouldn't

be too bothered. I like the idea, actually. However, I don't know about the ritual. I get the feeling that the National Cathedral is not what they call High Episcopalian (bells and smells, as my Episc. friend calls it!).

Anyone know anything about a suitable Washington UCC church?

[TexasProgresive]

4. Looking at this service bulletin for a typical Sunday

I would say that it is not low church- I could be wrong but it looks like most of my Catholic brethren would be able to follow it for the most part. Really close to a Catholic Mass.
http://www.nationalcathedral.org/pdfs/HE081116.pdf

Edited to add:
Here's a picture of worship at the First Congregational United Church of Christ in DC that has a completely different look then the National Cathedral.It is much less formal and liturgical.

http://www.fccuccdc.org/

[Posteritatis]

6. What's the difference between 'high' and 'low' church anyway? (nt)

[TexasProgresive]

10. It is a matter of form

Here is an explanation that puts it into words.

"Low Church" is a neutral term that simply describes a type of worship that does not follow a prescribed order of service, that does not follow certain liturgical patterns, and does not make use of developed ritual, ceremony, or worship accouterments like vestments. From Webster's Dictionary: "Low Church (1710) tending esp. in Anglican worship to minimize emphasis on the priesthood, sacraments, and the ceremonial in worship and often to emphasize evangelical principles." By contrast: "High Church (1687) tending esp. in Anglican worship to stress the sacerdotal , liturgical, ceremonial, traditional, and Catholic elements in worship."

So the two terms simply describe attitudes, forms, or theologies of worship. Those traditions that follow more priestly models, ranging from Catholic to Anglican, or those that tend to follow a more liturgical form of worship in which the service is structured around a Theology of Word and Table, ranging from Lutheran to some Methodists, are considered "high church." Many of the American-born traditions or those that reacted to the formality of other traditions, such as the Quakers and Puritans, adopted a “low church” approach to worship in which spontaneity was emphasized in matters ranging from prayer to sermons.

The differences between these two approaches to worship emerged from the Protestant Reformation. Many commonly understand the Reformation to be a theological revival (from the Protestant perspective) or a schism within the church over theological differences (from the Catholic perspective). While that is certainly true on one level, those theological differences were interwoven with other issues, including the nature of worship. While the Protestant confessions that emerged from the Reformation dealt with the theological issues, they also attempted to define the church in distinction from Catholic practices of worship that were seen at best as improper and at worst as heretical.

http://www.cresourcei.org/lowhighchurch.html

[JerseygirlCT]

13. Smells and bells or happy clappy, lol! nt

[Posteritatis]

17. Thanks! (nt)

[JerseygirlCT]

14. From what I understand, a UCC service could be

whatever the congregation wants it to be.

Here in CT, they are almost always Congregational churches, which says it clearly: the decisions are made at a congregational level.

I could be wrong - being an Episcopalian myself, not UCC.

[Critters2]

9. This UCC would be bothered. Members of the UCC went out on a limb

to defend the Obamas and Trinity when the Clinton campaign was attacking our faith. It would be a shame if they joined a staid, safe place like the "National Cathedral" :puke:. I'd recommend Plymouth UCC, an African American congregation.

[DCBob]

3. Perhaps but the WNC is different.

There are many who attend who are not members and/or not Episcopalian and many politcal types attend. Sure it would be partly political but it's a safe, well-respected fine house of worship here in DC. I think they would be happy there.

[DavidDvorkin]

5. That damned building ought to be demolished

It should never have been built in the first place. What an affront it is to one of our founding principles.

Okay, to be fair, the problem isn't the cathedral but the Congressional charter that was given to it and it's unofficial position as some sort of national house of worship.

[Critters2]

8. Exactly. This nation should not have a "national cathedral" nt

[DavidDvorkin]

11. Its, not it's

Shame on me.

[Critters2]

7. It would be a shame if they left the UCC. And this country has no business having a

"national cathedral". There are plenty of UCC congregations in Washington for the Obamas to choose from. I heard him speak at General Synod in 2007. It was clear that he loves the UCC and considers it his home. I'm sorry Jeremiah caused such problems, but I think the Obamas think of themselves as UCC. I hope so, at least.

[rvablue]

12. Who cares where they go. All I care about is that they will actually practice

their faith unlike the fake Christian cowboy who is now in office.

Bush with his fake ranch and fake religion....uhhh.....can anyone show me a picture of them going to services in the last year....don't think so!

[Waiting For Everyman]

15. Good security. Middle of the road.

It would be a good choice for now.

[Perky]

16. I am inviting him to attend our ethnically diverse church in Northern VA

But I suspect He will stay in the City,

He may have a hard time finding a Church that suits his family, I can't imagine he would attend a church that was not ethnically diverse... particualrly after he got so hammered about Trinity,