We knew her first
Many Oklahomans, particulary Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) members, are proud that former Bartlesville pastor Sharon Watkins is poised to become the first woman to preach at the National Prayer Service at the National Cathedral come Jan. 21.
The service will be attended by the new president, vice president and a host of other clergy, dignitaries and lay people.
I interviewed Watkins in July 2005, right after she was elected to lead the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada. She was the first woman to lead that 700,000-member group.
Watkins, 54, was still pastor of Disciples Christian Church in Bartlesville when I talked to her.
I learned that she has diverse background.
She is an Indianapolis native (which is where the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) headquarters are located) and daughter of an ordained Disciples pastor. She graduated from college with a degree in French and a degree in economics.
After college she took a volunteer position as a Disciples adult literacy missionary to Zaire (now Congo).
She was ordained as a Disciples pastor in 1984.
Here’s what she had to say about being the first woman to lead her denomination:
“In a church process like this, you want it to be a process of discernment about who God is calling. At each step along the way, I had to reflect harder and pray harder to be sure within myself that I would be ready and willing to move forward.
“At this particular time, given my background, this is who God is calling. It’s a very exciting time for our church. The fact that I’m a woman is just part of the timing.”
(STAFF PHOTO BY DAVID MCDANIEL The Rev. Sharon Watkins, then pastor of Disciples Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), stands in the Bartlesville church’s sanctuary in July 2005.)
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
Pre-inauguration prayer and prep
I have two interesting bits of news to share about the upcoming presidential inauguration of Barack Obama.
The Christian Defense Coalition has been issued a permit to conduct a pro-life vigil and display along the parade route during the event set for Jan. 20.
The group plans to display 25 large signs on Pennsylvania showing the development of life from conception until birth.
“It is critical that moments after Barack Obama takes the oath as the 44th President of the United States he drive by a visible reminder of those who will have no voice or rights in his administration,” the Rev. Patrick J. Mahoney, the coalition’s director, said in a news release.
“While millions will be celebrating along the Inaugural Parade route, we will be speaking ‘truth to power’ and calling for justice and equality for all Americans.”
Meanwhile, Mahoney participated in a prayer service today that included anointing the doorway Obama will pass through on his way to the platform to be sworn in. The Rev. Rob Schenck of Faith and Action also participated in the service.
“Anointing with oil is a rich tradition both in the bible and in the history of the U.S. Capitol,” Schenck said in a news release.
“Oil symbolizes consecration, or setting something apart for God’s use. George Washington used oil during the dedication of the U.S. Capitol. We used oil today to set apart the walkway and doors that will be the literal right (sic) of passage for Barack Obama as he ascends to the highest office in our land.”
(AP PHOTO: People walk past scaffolding used to support bleacher seats along Pennsylvania Avenue at Freedom Plaza in Washington on Jan. 3. The location is part of the parade route to be used for the inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama.)
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
