Senior Pastor J. Heinrich Arnold
Bruderhof Church Communities
Rifton, NY
Sponsor: Rep. Patrick Ryan, (D-NY)
Date of Prayer: 04/18/2024
One Minute Speech Given in Recognition of the Guest Chaplain:
Mr. Speaker, I rise to welcome and thank today's guest chaplain, Pastor Heinrich Arnold, representing the Bruderhof community in New York's 18th District.
Over a century ago, the founders of the Bruderhof were exiled from Germany for their refusal to fight for the Nazis. They eventually found refuge and freedom here in America.
Today, the Hudson Valley is proud to be the home to almost half of the worldwide community of Bruderhof members. They have continued their practice to lead a much simpler life, focused on family, faith, and selfless service, and their example has served and inspired our entire community.
Pastor Arnold's leadership extends far beyond his role as senior pastor for the Bruderhof communities. He also serves as chaplain for our Ulster County Sheriff's Department and as a teacher at the Woodcrest Elementary School. He has dedicated his life's work to speaking about forgiveness and reconciliation through the Breaking the Cycle of Violence program. His efforts in over a dozen countries and right in our own community have been remarkable to follow.
At a time where our country faces such great division, I am thankful for Pastor Arnold and the entire Bruderhof community for presenting this prayer today, blessing our government as we prepare to make critical decisions in the days to come.
I ask all of us to recenter ourselves and work together on these critical issues laid out before us. As the Bruderhof believe, when you truly love your neighbor as yourself, peace and justice become a reality.
Opening Prayer Given by the Guest Chaplain:
Lord our God, we lift up thanks and praise to You this day, for the beauty of this Earth, Your creation, for people of all lands and cultures, for our country and Nation, its founding values defending human dignity, liberty, and justice for all.
We pray for all the Members of this House of Representatives and for all who walk and work these storied Chambers, hallways, and offices of our government, all servants of the people, and of You our God.
Grant them wisdom, patience, understanding, determination, and hearts of love and self–sacrifice in order to make good law, uphold the Constitution, and legislate for the flourishing, unity, and strength of our people and country; to lead all nations in efforts of justice, peace, good will, and generosity to neighbors and even enemies.
Forgive us our faults, and heal our fractured world. This we pray in Jesus' name. Amen.
To learn more about Members who have sponsored a Guest Chaplain, please visit the Congressional Biographical Directory