Innauguration of President Birge Spiritually Celebrated at the Cathedral of the Pines

by Sheila Vargas
edited by Ashlee Medeiros

The Cathedral of the Pines held a community interfaith prayer service on Sunday April 18 to celebrate the inauguration of President James Birge.

The service included prayers and chants from many different religions. These included a Zuni Sunrise chant by the director of the Power of Breath, Jeremy Youst, a greeting and prayer from Quaker, Ms. Margaret Hawthorne and a prayer from the Catholic tradition by Sister Mary Katherine Birge from the Sisters of St. Joseph and sister of Dr. Birge.

“It was really interesting to see all of the different religious figures wishing Dr. Birge and the university well,” said sophomore Allison Palmer.

(photo: sheila vargas)

Other leaders who spoke had religious affiliations in Judaism, the United Church of Christ, the Nipponzan Myoji, Muslim, and Christianity.

There was a good turn out of about 30-40 people as Reverend Bill Beardslee, the Associate Director for Student Involvement and Interfaith campus ministries, took the podium to begin the service. Besides prayers and chants the poem “To Be of Use” by Marge Piercy was read to the crowd by the presidents’ daughter Caitlin Birge.

Sophomore Kelsey Keegan reflected on the service afterward by saying, “There could not have been a more perfect setting to spiritually inaugurate our newest president than at our own local sanctuary the Cathedral of the Pines.”

“I am always amazed at what happens when human beings look at and engage with each other in a common purpose,” said Beardslee. “This Interfaith service astounded and humbled me as each participant from very diverse faiths shared their greetings and prayers for the President and the University. I only wish more of the Franklin Pierce Community could have experienced the energy and good will present in that room!”

Judy Tomlinson who is the Chair of the Cathedral Board of Directors and the Business Development and Community Relations Manager at Franklin Pierce also took the podium informing new comers to the Cathedral of its history and purpose.

To learn more about the upcoming services at the Cathedral of the Pines email Bill Beardslee at beardsleeb@franklinpierce.edu.