Reverend Dr. Leslie Callahan
St, Paul's Baptist Church
Philadelphia, PA
Sponsor: Rep. Marcia Fudge, (D-OH)
Date of Prayer: 11/29/2012
One Minute Speech Given in Recognition of the Guest Chaplain:
The SPEAKER. Without objection, the gentlewoman from Ohio (Ms. Fudge) is recognized for 1 minute.
There was no objection.
Ms. FUDGE. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to welcome Dr. Leslie D. Callahan to serve as our guest chaplain today. I have known Dr. Callahan since she was a toddler and am proud to say that she is the dedicated senior pastor of St. Paul's Baptist Church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, its first female leader in 119 years.
Dr. Callahan is a religion scholar who received her bachelor of arts in religion from Harvard University/Radcliffe College, a master of divinity from Union Theological Seminary in New York, and doctor of philosophy in religion from Princeton University.
A native of Gary, West Virginia, and resident of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Dr. Callahan has been publicly preaching since the age of 19. She is noted for her dynamic preaching and teaching gifts and as a minister who plays a major role in shaping the future of the African American church. She is the mother of 2–month–old Annabelle, or Bella.
Reverend Callahan's character is captured in her favorite scripture from Psalm 27:4:
One thing I desired of the Lord, that I shall seek; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord and to seek God in God's temple.
Opening Prayer Given by the Guest Chaplain:
Gracious God, we offer thanks for the joys and challenges of self–government, which this House and the whole Congress symbolize.
In a world ravaged by violence, political and domestic, we enter gratefully the sanctuary of these Chambers for peaceful deliberation for this Nation's good. Even in the spaces of deep disagreement may these debates be seasoned with mutual understanding. May Your presence as liberty, love, and justice walk up and down and, yes, even between these aisles. Remind everyone of the sacredness of the trust of their constituents and the hope of all our citizens.
At day's end, may all affected by their decisions be confident of their good faith. At the end of the term, may the reelected redouble their efforts for the common good and those retiring find satisfaction in having done their duty. In the name of all that is holy and good.
Amen.
To learn more about Members who have sponsored a Guest Chaplain, please visit the Congressional Biographical Directory