Reverend Douglas Fisher
Grace Episcopal Church
Millbrook, NY
Sponsor: Rep. Rep. Scott Murphy, (D-NY)
Date of Prayer: 09/22/2010
One Minute Speech Given in Recognition of the Guest Chaplain:
Mr. MURPHY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and thank Father Doug Fisher from Millbrook, New York, for serving as the guest chaplain today for the House of Representatives.
For over 10 years, Father Doug has served as the rector of Grace Episcopal Church, which is located in the 20th District in Millbrook, New York. Previously, he served as the Episcopal Chaplain at the United States Military Academy at West Point, and he continues to correspond with many of the graduates who are serving their country throughout the world.
Father Doug has been a leader for our community in difficult times, serving on the board of directors of Rural and Migrant Ministry. Grace Church is known throughout Dutchess County for its many outreach programs, including its food pantries, service and support groups for the unemployed and underemployed, its AA groups, its nursery school. He has brought together people of diverse socioeconomic, cultural, racial, and religious backgrounds to promote dialogue, social justice, and hope.
On behalf of the 20th Congressional District and my colleagues in this House, I thank Father Doug for his work on behalf of our community and for his invocation here today.
Opening Prayer Given by the Guest Chaplain:
Gracious God, these elected leaders of our Nation gather this morning in anticipation of your guidance. They want to do what is right and good and holy. They want to be an inspiration to Your people in a trying time. Fill them with Your creative, dynamic Spirit.
Outside these walls Your people – among them immigrants, the unemployed, the brave men and women of our Armed Forces – live in hope of wise decisions from this body. Indeed Your whole creation itself is profoundly affected in so many ways by what happens here. Compassionate God, enlighten us, show us Your will, and give us the courage to fulfill it.
At the end of this day, may the United States of America be closer to being a light unto the nations, a beacon of hope in this world. Living God, we ask your blessing upon this nation and its people. Amen.
To learn more about Members who have sponsored a Guest Chaplain, please visit the Congressional Biographical Directory