Reverend M. Davies Kirkland
Dulin United Methodist Church
Falls Church, VA
Sponsor: Rep. Don Beyer, (D-VA)
Date of Prayer: 06/13/2017
One Minute Speech Given in Recognition of the Guest Chaplain:
Mr. BEYER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Pastor Dave Kirkland, who led us in the opening prayer. Pastor Kirkland is appointed as the pastor of Dulin United Methodist Church in Falls Church, Virginia, where he has been the pastor for the last 17 years.
Previously, he was appointed to Del Ray United Methodist Church in Alexandria, Virginia, for 6 years and associate pastor at Asbury United Methodist Church in Harrisonburg, Virginia, for 4 years.
Dave's passion in ministry is related to the great Commandment: to love God with all your heart, soul, and mind, and to love your neighbor as yourself.
This is articulated in preaching, raising money, and good deeds
performed by the congregation through reaching out to the lost and the least.
A highlight of this ministry of hope at Dulin: over 60 homeless
persons each Sunday morning are served a breakfast, attend a worship service, and are given toiletries and assistance cards to purchase items at Giant Food.
Dulin is engaged in several local ministries, such as Homeless Shelter, Homestretch, Rebuilding Together, and Meals on Wheels; and he also supports a child rescue center in Sierra Leone.
Mr. Speaker, I am honored to welcome Pastor Dave today to the House of Representatives, and I personally thank him for offering the opening
prayer.
Opening Prayer Given by the Guest Chaplain:
Gracious and loving God, we offer thanks for this day that You have given us, a day full of new beginnings, opportunities, and potential for our country.
We ask Your blessings upon these Representatives, their staffs, and all here who work through government to serve people of varied traditions, faiths, and races.
Give them guidance and strength as they debate, deliberate, and make difficult decisions on laws which will govern our country.
Give them patience and civility to listen compassionately, to show respect for each other, and to work together for the common good.
And, O God, give them hope. For though the path may seem perilous and the hurdles high, may hope sustain these public servants that they might accomplish the more perfect union that our forebears dreamed of: a more perfect union of justice, freedom, and liberty for all.
I pray this in Your Almighty name. Amen.
To learn more about Members who have sponsored a Guest Chaplain, please visit the Congressional Biographical Directory