Bishop Schol's letter to Barack Obama

Dear President Elect Barack Obama,

Peace and Grace in the name of our Creator.

The United Methodists of the Washington, D.C. Region congratulate you and give thanks to God for your election as the 44th President of the United States. We believe God has called you for such a time as this to bring hope and change that will further peace, justice, prosperity and healing within our nation and world. We pledge to pray for you and to work with you for the good of our nation and the world.

United Methodists in the Washington Region have already begun to pray for you during this time of transition and we are committed to pray for you throughout your presidency. We also believe that your election represents change our nation seeks and the inauguration will attract one of the largest outpouring of people our nation's capital has ever seen. As United Methodists, we are preparing radical hospitality for those coming, particularly for the large numbers of youth and young adults that we believe will travel to Washington, DC.

Our plans for the inauguration weekend call for:

Sunday services in our churches throughout the Washington region on the theme: "A Rebirth: A New Spirit" based on Ezekiel 11: 19-20 "I will give them one heart, and put a new spirit within them; I will remove the heart of stone from their flesh and give them a heart of flesh, so that they may follow my statutes and keep my ordinances and obey them. Then they shall be my people, and I will be their God."
Opening our more than 40 United Methodist churches in Washington, DC as a place for groups to stay or for warmth
Organizing a weekend of service as well as food and blood drives, through the more than 600 churches in our Washington region
Hosting prayer services for you, our nation and the world
Hosting youth and young adult choirs from across the nation to sing throughout the area and a concert on the weekend as part of a prayer service

Attached is a further description of our plans.

As we serve our Creator, we are called to serve you and your family. There are many congregations of all denominations within Washington, DC that you will find to be places that will minister to you and your family's spiritual needs. There are several outstanding pastors and spiritual leaders of all faiths who are equipped to provide spiritual guidance for you, your family or your staff while you serve in our nation's capitol. A listing of United Methodist churches is attached. Our congregations would be glad to welcome you, your family, your staff and their families to be part of our communities of prayer and service. Your message of personal responsibility and social justice are important United Methodist themes.

Today, we want you to know that we care about you and your family during this time of transition, that we are ready to serve, and that we are praying for you. Please feel free to contact me personally with any ways that we can support you.

God is with you and may the blessing of God Almighty grant you strength, peace and joy.

Bishop John R. Schol