Presidential Inaugural Committee and Washington National Cathedral Announce Virtual Presidential Inaugural Prayer Service
Then-President Biden to Join Interfaith Leaders for 59th Inaugural National Prayer Service on Thursday
Bishop William J. Barber II to Deliver Homily, Josh Groban, Patti LaBelle, The Clark Sisters to Perform
WASHINGTON — Today, the Presidential Inaugural Committee (PIC) and Washington National Cathedral announced the Virtual Presidential Inaugural Prayer Service on Thursday, January 21, at 10:00 AM ET. Then-President Joe Biden will join the virtual event hosted by the Washington National Cathedral, and the service will be livestreamed at https://bideninaugural.org/watch and https://cathedral.org with closed captioning and ASL provided.
The diverse program will include prayers, readings, blessings, and hymns from interfaith leaders, celebrated artists, and other inspiring voices who will come together to mark the beginning of a new national journey that restores the soul of America, brings the country together, and creates a path to a brighter future.
“The National Prayer Service is an important tradition for our nation and for President Biden, who has always been a man guided deeply by his faith. The program announced today will honor the role of faith in our country, and provide a moment to reflect on the unprecedented challenges we face, as we enter this new American chapter of healing to beat the pandemic, build back our economy better, and unify our country,” said PIC CEO and Delaware State University President Dr. Tony Allen.
The customary interfaith service, which dates back to the first inauguration of President George Washington, will be entirely virtual this year to engage Americans safely. Bishop William J. Barber II will deliver the homily, and the program will feature remarks from leading religious voices representing all walks of life and musical performances from Josh Groban, Patti LaBelle and The Clark Sisters.
“This Cathedral is a House of Prayer for All People and a sacred space where America gathers in moments of deep significance, and we are honored to welcome the nation to pause, give thanks and seek God’s help in the hard work ahead. We thank President Biden, Vice President Harris and all our leaders for beginning this work in prayer as we strive to become the people God calls us to be,” said the Very Rev. Randolph Marshall Hollerith, dean of Washington National Cathedral.
Additional participants in the service include:
• The Right Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde, Diocesan Bishop, Episcopal Diocese of Washington
• The Very Rev. Randolph Marshall Hollerith, Dean, Washington National Cathedral
• His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros, Primate of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
• Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum, Senior Rabbi, Congregation Beit Simchat Torah
• Rabbi Sharon Brous, Senior Rabbi, IKAR
• Jonathan Nez, President, Navajo Nation
• Phefelia Nez, First Lady, Navajo Nation
• The Rev. Jim Wallis, Founder and Ambassador of Sojourners
• Sr. Carol Keehan, Former President and CEO, Catholic Health Association
• The Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III, Senior Pastor, Trinity United Church of Christ
• Dr. Debbie Almontaser, Senior Advisor, Emgage NY and President, Muslim Community Network
• Imam Azhar Subedar, Imam, IACC
• The Rev. Dr. Alexia Salvatierra, Assistant Professor of Mission and Global Transformation, Fuller Theological Seminary
• Barbara Satin, Faith Work Director, The National LGBTQ Task Force
• Anuttama Dasa, Global Minister of Communications, International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON)
• Valarie Kaur, Sikh American Activist, Author of “See No Stranger”
• The Rev. Dr. Gregory Knox Jones, Senior Pastor, Westminster Presbyterian Church
• Bishop Vashti McKenzie, African Methodist Episcopal Church
• The Rev. Dr. Paula Stone Williams, Author and Pastor, Left Hand Church
• The Rev. Fred Davie, Executive Vice President, Union Theological Seminary
• The Rev. Robert W. Fisher, Rector, St. John’s, Lafayette Square
• The Rev. Dr. Yvette Flunder, Presiding Bishop, The Fellowship of Affirming Ministries
• Emma Petty Addams, Executive Director, Mormon Women for Ethical Government
• The Rev. Dr. Cynthia L. Hale, Senior Pastor, Ray of Hope Christian Church
• The Rev. Dr. Jeffrey Kuan, President, Claremont School of Theology
• First Lady Robin Jackson, Brookland Baptist Church
• The Rev. Dr. Jacqui Lewis, Senior Minister, Middle Collegiate Church
• The Revd. Canon Rosemarie Logan Duncan, Canon for Worship, Washington National Cathedral
• The Rev. Robert W. Lee, Pastor, Unifour Church
• Sr. Norma Pimentel, Executive Director, Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley
• Jen Hatmaker, NYT Bestselling Author, Podcast Host, and Speaker
Over the course of five days of programming, “America United” inaugural activities will honor our traditions while safely allowing more Americans than ever before to participate from their own homes. These activities include, “United We Serve,” a National Day of Service on January 18, Martin Luther King Jr. Day; a nationwide COVID-19 Memorial to Lives Lost on January 19; and the official Inaugural Ceremonies, a wreath laying on Arlington National Cemetery, and a “Parade Across America” on January 20. The events will culminate with the “Celebrating America” program. The PIC will also install an extensive public art display — a “Field of Flags,” which will cover the National Mall up to 13th Street — to represent the American people who are unable to travel to Washington, DC.
Additional details about these and other inaugural activities will be released in the coming days. For the latest updates on inaugural programming and activities, visit bideninaugural.org.
