Inaugural Interfaith Prayer service for Governor-elect Jim McGreevey

I am a Roman Catholic nun. And when I read this passage and prayed over it. The whole life and the years I have no James McGreevey jumped right off these pages. Because I know commitment when I see it. I know it. Very well when I see it. Throughout the years I've known our governor elect. He has been a man who has been in love with the poor. We know what he did and haven't now. We know what he has done to want the time for the marginalized and those who didn't have a voice. Became their voice in politics in the township where ever it was needed. He became the face of those who didn't have a voice and were poor and needed homes and needed housing. So I am so confident. As I walk and I see a man I am deeply in love with. Almost as much as Deena. Walk in today

to government. And I just want you to know. That. Today all here with you and supporting you. But it doesn't stop here. I want you to know that in the challenges and the blessings of the future. For all of you and for your family especially. Love you. Bless you. We support you and we're there for you any time day or night if ever you need us because you've been there for us. We love you deeply. And now it's my honor and distinct privilege to introduce to you Governor elect James McGreevey. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Josh.. Rashe. Thank you very much. This is as close as I've ever come to Princeton. But. For a one of a hundred points of my essay today is. The reverend clergy to this magnificent combined choir. To all my friends who shared with me their insights their faith and their support of my fellow New Jerseyans. To our community to our family.

You are the source of my strength. You are the strength of my life. I am the most. Frustrated a Baptist preacher. Monsignor don't limit it to a pope. But today I think back on the man whose birthday it is he charged us to let us rise up with greater readiness and with a greater determination and let us move on in these powerful days. These days of challenge to make America what it ought to be. We have an opportunity to make America a better nation.

That was the charge of Dr. Martin Luther King. And it is wholly appropriate on this day this ignore rule day to engage in this ecumenical religious service. Our great nation was premised upon a belief. In the Almighty God and a faith in His providence and his love for all people. The Declaration of Independence specifically sets forth the foundation of American politics. Based on a fundamental belief that we are endowed by our creator with certain unalienable rights. What was John Fitzgerald Kennedy in his inaugural address. Stress that fundamental belief in declared the world is very different now. And yet this same revolutionary beliefs for which our support are still around the globe.

The belief that the rights of man come not from the generosity of the state but from the hand of God. We thank you Lord. We thank you for this great nation a promise. United States of America this great enterprise for good for decency in the world whose alumina splendor reflects. The core belief in a loving caring and just creator. What was Thomas Paine who wrote in commonsense. But where is the king of America. And Paine said I'll tell your friend he reigns from above. But especially now after the terrible events of September 11th. We need to be close to the Almighty to ask him for strength and sustenance.

To bow our heads in reverence. And to beseech Him for His guidance. Protection and shield. We remember the words of the Psalmist. I will lift mine eyes unto the hills from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord who made heaven on earth. And so today we continue that quest we continue to be committed for justice a justice indivisible. As Dr. King wrote in his letter from the Birmingham jail. Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever one directly effects indirectly. And when George Washington was inaugurated as the first president in New York.

He went that day to pray at St. Paul's Chapel. To give thanks and homage to God. Same polls. Right off of Broadway stood of late in the shadow. Of the Twin Towers. We continue to need prayer because as evidenced by Washington's request. The battle between good and evil continues today and we continue to beseech Almighty God for his strength for courage and faith. And it is that revolutionary spirit are founded upon our belief in God that still shines through the many churches synagogues mosques and temples throughout New Jersey and these United States. My friend. John Page in the letter to Thomas Jefferson. Two weeks after the signing of the Declaration of Independence wrote. God preserved the United States. We know the race is not to the

swift nor the battle to the strong. He asked Do you think an angel rides in the world when and directs the storm. My friends today we call upon the blessings of Almighty God for that angel still rides in the whirlwind and is protecting America and its freedoms today. May almighty God bless this great Nation her state and her people and all that we do as a community. In these next four years. Thank you and God speed. Feels. Will. The. Governor elect McGreevey on this day Martin Luther King's birthday. If

he were here he would say to you your call to be governor. So Governor the great people of New Jersey as Michael Angelo painted as Beethoven composed music as Shakespeare wrote poetry. He would say Jim govern so well that all of the host of heaven and earth will pause and say Here is a great governor who did his job well and now on with the benediction is the Reverend Darrell Armstrong. Shiloh Baptist Church Trenton New Jersey. So the two are God our Maker our Creator and heaven and earth. Governor let me grieve in this family on behalf of Shiloh Baptist Church and your friends there and all of the churches in Mercer County. We certainly pray God's blessings upon you.

And now in a show of unity brothers and sisters why don't we grab your neighbor's handbag and let us about before our God in heaven. Eternal God of creation and of life. And our water from everlasting to everlasting. Thou art odd but the author of creation the redeemer of humanity the sustainer of life and the finisher of offing. Look favorably and not upon this fine servant James E. McGreevey the governor elect of this great state. Help me God to know how to go out and to come in before your people as you did for Abraham and Moses. David and Solomon Deborah and Esther Mary and Moss the Peter and Paul. Granting him divine wisdom knowledge

discernment and understanding to govern your people with a righteousness and justice. Anoint him afresh O God and consecrate him to thine service. Bless the diverse people of faith of this state. Men and women of churches and mosques and temples in assemblies and gatherings from north to south. Help us all God to do justice to love kindness and to walk humbly with he and God as religious leaders of this state help us to stand up. By this governor elect. To encourage him and to lovingly admonish him as the prophet Samuel and Isaiah and Jeremiah did and God in the end help us to give a son glory. And now on to him who is able to keep us from falling and to present us faultless before his presence with exceeding joy to the only wise God our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord

be all glory Majesty dominion and power both the now and forever more. I let all of God's children say together a man. And a man. This concludes our interfaith prayer service. However the celebration continues. I will choir and singing. Will you put your hands together as we dance continual blessings. Our governor and he led James McGrady. I was.

Happy. In you. You. Know. When I was. Young. As for.

Absolution. When. We met. Yeah. Yeah. This is Marie Dinoire you've been watching and live coverage of the original interfaith prayer service. Which is just coming up. I'm joined by Father Geoff believe the diocese. Of. Fatherly during the past nearly two hours we heard a vast variety of voices here. What do you make of the selection of speakers and the overarching theme in.

The speakers and the remarks in the prayer. Reminded me very much of the great diversity that exists within New Jersey Christians Catholics Muslims Jewish people whom. All coming together. To ask. God's blessing. On this leader. When the people have chosen to serve us for the next four years. Their message. And the prayers. That can help them strong and courageous. In this. Post-9 11 period when there's a lot of uncertainty. Among people and families about what the direction of our country and our our state our civilization our society is all about. But there was a real sense. In. Morten's true. Compassionate leadership. On to recognizing. The important place of the. Poor and the marginalized. In society. You mentioned to me during the service the significance of the senior boil.

Candy. For months you know Drew as a recognized leader of not only Catholics but of all people living in Camden. Monsignor is there day in and day out ministering and reaching out to people who have nowhere else to turn and he does it very well and has done it for many years. He's a real icon for many of us. What about the town. This entire service there was beautiful performances by the combined choir of New Jersey but there was also a lot chargeable dance. What did you make of what did you observe in the spirit of Bess will the tone. What most caught my eye was the fact that it was really an intergenerational representation of people people of various races and various religious traditions. But young people and old as well. There was a place in this pursers for many people. It was a substantial program probably one of the most substantial interfaith into religious programs I've ever witnessed.

We had applied 32 different speakers it was quite comprehensive. Correct. Everybody pretty tight time schedule. What about the selection of the place where they held the service the Princeton University Chapel stunning Gothic structure. What do you make of that selection. Princeton University is really one of those how low institutions within the United States it is recognized as a leader in the educational market and it's a place where people of all faiths pray Weekly. And so it's very appropriate that the governor elect chose that location in the capital county of Marshall County. But close close to Middlesex County close to its home of Woodbridge. OK. Father Jeff Lee from the Diocese of Trenton thank you so much for joining us this morning. This is Marie de Noir and you've been watching the inaugural interfaith prayer service at Princeton University. That wraps up our coverage of this inaugural event and dance coverage of today's inauguration will continue at 11:30 this morning when we bring you

live coverage of the inaugural ceremony and the swearing in of James McGreevey as New Jersey's 50 first governor. I'm Marie Dinoire. Thanks for joining us.