Sinkford Participates in Interfaith Service Welcoming Deval Patrick as Massachusetts Governor

William Sinkford

Deval Patrick

Photos by Deborah Weiner/UUA.

(Boston, January 4, 2007) In Boston's historic Old South Meeting House, the first African American president of the Unitarian Universalist Association joined spiritual leaders from across Massachusetts in prayerfully welcoming the state's first African American Governor. An interfaith worship service, held on the morning of the inauguration of Deval L. Patrick as the seventy-first governor of the Commonwealth, brought together leaders from more than thirty faith traditions for worship and song. A stirring homily was delivered by the Rev. J. Peter Gomes, Senior Minister of Harvard University Memorial Church in Cambridge.

In his remarks, directed to Patrick, Gomes said, "We exist under a constitution ascribed by John Adams. You will take the oath of office on a bible held by his son, our sixth president. There is a great expectation for this Commonwealth on this day... it is one of those rare opportunities for which people have been called to rise to meet it. I hope you feel the joy in this room and the sense of expectation that accompanies it. You can not do this alone, you will need a lot of help. And that is one reason why all these clergy are here. To pray for the Commonwealth and its citizens. To pray for courage. To help sustain you in what we know will be lonely and difficult moments…"

Responsive prayers were led by Rev. William G. Sinkford and others. Using the traditional text adapted for this part of the service, Sinkford said, "O God, bless the leaders of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, that we may be a people at peace among ourselves and a blessing to the nation. To those who seek and work for peace, give courage and honor, hope and strength; that by word and example they may call forth your reconciling love and with your aid, achieve your desire of justice and peace."

The invitation-only event, attended by more than fifty other members of the clergy and those who will lead the state government, included officials from the United Church of Christ, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Conservative and Reform Judaism, the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts, the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston, the Islamic Council of New England, the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Boston, the First Church of Christ, Scientist, and others.

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