On the Collaboration of Church and State

I am happy to share a personal message and experience with you in this posting. New York State Supreme Court Justice, the Honorable Phillip R. Rumsey, invited me to participate in a naturalization ceremony, at the Cortland County Courthouse on February 23. He asked me to give the Prayer of Invocation.

It was a wonderful ceremony. 34 persons from 21 countries took the oath of allegiance to the United States. There were people from China, South Korea, Taiwan, Russia, the Ukraine, India, Sri Lanka, France, England, Poland, Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, Greece, Jamaica, and several other countries who became citizens. There were representatives from the Federal, State, County, and local governments present. The President of SUNY Cortland, Eric Bittlebaum, gave a stirring address in which he told the story of his maternal grandparents, both of whom escaped pogroms in Poland and found their way to Ellis Island in 1919.

My invitation came because Justice Rumsey is a member of the Homer Congregational Church UCC. Also taking part in the ceremony was Gary Harrington, a Deacon of the church. James McKenna, a member of the confirmation class of the church for whom Justice Rumsey is serving as mentor; James’ mother, Kathy, and Marie Rumsey, members of the church, were present also.

And, here is the prayer that I offered.

Naturalization Ceremony
Cortland County Courthouse
February 23, 2007

Prayer of Invocation

Gracious God, we come before you today with joyful hearts as we celebrate the decision of these persons to become citizens of the United States of America. It is a momentous decision. Each one who makes it, who will take the vows of citizenship, has a unique story. Each has come from another place. Each has memories of a homeland, of family and friends, of a life left behind. Each has hopes for a new life in the United States. Bless each one with the knowledge and gift of your presence, of your grace and of your love.

We declare proudly that this country is based upon the principles of one nation under God with liberty and justice for all. Indeed these principles remind us of all those who have gone before, who believed that you have given each of us the right to rule ourselves. We do so without the rule of monarchs or dictators. It was and continues to be an amazing experiment in self-rule.

We ask for your help in promoting our mutual liberty and justice for the sake of the common good. Bless us in the pursuit of our national ideals: that everyone may experience equal access to the peaceful and abundant life that you provide; that everyone may understand the duties of citizenship in balance with the privileges; that we may continue to seek to make this a nation that you will recognize as living “under God”.

Holy One, we thank you for your presence with us today. Not that you are ever absent. But today we rejoice that your presence is especially evident to us. Finally, we pray in the spirit of the hymn, that as you have been “our help in ages past,” that you will continue to be “our help for years to come.” Amen!


Rick