A President's Message

Last week President Barack Obama addressed the annual National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, DC. I believe his message was very important.

At one point he observed that no major world religion has as its central tenet hatred of others. That very positive observation is something to keep in mind as we move forward. It certainly is important here in the inner city.

I found the President's call for "a living, breathing, active faith" extremely refreshing.

Action is essential.

Practice trumps debate.

Improving life and expanding opportunity forms the basis of our mission. And, we do all that we do every day because of our living faith.

Can we, as our new President asked, "allow God's grace to occupy that space that is between us?"

If we do, our faith will exhibit a power to change the world.

The "sermon" is well worth your time.



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Couincil on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships

President Obama spoke Thursday morning at the National Prayer Breakfast about his plans for the Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships. A good summation report can be found in The Los Angeles Times article here, complete with a short video of the President's remarks.

The President's new Council continues the work of President Bush's Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives

The new Director of the Council will be Joshua DuBois, a 26-year-old Pentecostal minister who headed the President's religious outreach during the campaign. The 25-member council will advise the President on policy development and the coordination of public engagement with faith-based and neighborhood groups working on the front lines to improve communities and lift people out of poverty.

It's a good start!

What do you think?

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