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United Methodist pastor gives benediction at inauguration

Jan. 20, 2005	 News media contact:   Kathy  Gilbert * (615) 7425470*
Nashville {04050}

NOTE: Photographs and video are available at http://umns.umc.org.

A UMNS Report
By Kathy L. Gilbert*

United Methodist Pastor Kirbyjon Caldwell asked for God's blessing on
George W. Bush's family and administration during the president's Jan.
20 inauguration ceremony in Washington.

As he did in Bush's first inaugural ceremony in 2001, Caldwell gave the
benediction after the president's address.

In his prayer, which closed Bush's official swearing-in, Caldwell
focused on thanksgiving, rallying Americans together and providing
"equal opportunity for all, including the least, the last and the lost."

After the prayer, Bush, also a United Methodist, embraced Caldwell. A
self-described "spiritual supporter" of Bush, Caldwell is pastor of
Windsor Village United Methodist Church in Houston.

"As we conclude this 55th inaugural ceremony, we conclude it with an
attitude of thanksgiving, thanking you for protecting our borders
because, as the psalmist says, unless you guard the territory our
efforts will be in vain," Caldwell said.

"Deliver us from the evil one and the near appearance of evil," he said.
"Give us clean hearts, clean agendas, clean priorities and programs and
even clean financial statements."

Laura Bush, a lifelong United Methodist, held the historic "Washington
Bible" as her husband took the oath of office. The same Bible was used
by George Washington and several other presidents, including Bush's
father.

Standing with Bush as he took the oath of office was another United
Methodist, Dick Cheney, who was sworn in as vice president.

In his inaugural address, Bush emphasized freedom and liberty.

"We will persistently clarify the choice before every ruler and every
nation: The moral choice between oppression, which is always wrong, and
freedom, which is eternally right."

He said the survival of liberty in America increasingly depends upon the
survival of liberty in other countries.

"We will go forward with complete confidence in the eventual triumph of
freedom. Not because history runs on the wheels of inevitability; it is
human choice that move events. Not because we consider ourselves a
chosen nation; God moves and chooses as he wills. We have confidence
because freedom is the permanent hope of mankind, the hunger in dark
places, the longing of the soul."

# # #

*Gilbert is a United Methodist News Service news writer based in
Nashville, Tenn.

News media contact: Kathy L. Gilbert, Nashville, Tenn., (615) 742-5470
or newsdesk@umcom.org.

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United Methodist News Service
Photos and stories also available at:
http://umns.umc.org