Chaplain Christilene Whalen
Acting Command Chaplain, Naval Air Station Patuxent River
Patuxent River, MD
Sponsor: Rep. Steny Hoyer, (D-MD)
Date of Prayer: 12/08/2010
One Minute Speech Given in Recognition of the Guest Chaplain:
Mr. HOYER. I welcome Christilene Whalen, a member of the United States Navy Chaplain Corps. She led us in prayer today. She serves at the Naval Air Station in Patuxent River in Maryland, where she ministers to sailors, military families, and, I might add, the greater community in which I have the privilege of living.
She is a native of the county in which I live, St. Mary's County. She went to school at Great Mills High School and went to study at Harvard Divinity School. After serving in the ministry for two decades, she joined the Navy as a chaplain 2 years ago. Today, she is proud to serve so closely to the community where she grew up.
We thank her, as Members of the House of Representatives, not only for gracing us today with our opening prayer, but also for her service to her country and to her community. We thank her for the guidance she provides to our men and women in uniform. And we thank her for her words of inspiration to the House today.
Lieutenant, we appreciate your being with us.
Opening Prayer Given by the Guest Chaplain:
Almighty and Everlasting God,
We are reminded to acknowledge You in all that we do; and then You will direct us and You will guide us.
So God, as we recognize your presence and power in the details of today’s activities, discussions, and resolutions, we ask that you empower this body of men and women with wisdom grounded in compassion for your people;
Enlighten them with thoughtful insight as they struggle with the effects and the consequences of life changing decisions;
and encourage them with words of honesty, truth, and integrity spoken by collegiate members of this United States Congress.
God, we thank You for the diligence of each Representative, and the labor of every staff member, and the faithfulness of every participant and professional today. Continue to bless them as they do the work of Your great nation.
Now God, shower each one of us with a double portion of Your grace and mercy;
Let your warm and abundant blessings flow in such a way, that this 111th Session of Congress may experience the sweetness of your joy.
To God Be The Glory! Amen.
To learn more about Members who have sponsored a Guest Chaplain, please visit the Congressional Biographical Directory