President Barak Obama is the first chief executive to host a traditional Passover dinner in the White House. As he did last year, the President will tonight again preside at an intimate traditional “Seder” (pronounced Say’-der) meal with the First Lady, their daughters and a few staff members and friends. “Seder” means “order” and refers to the orderly way in which special foods are used in the telling of the story of the miraculous Hebrew Exodus from Egypt. Some consider it ironic that this president would be the trailblazer in bringing the signature Jewish observance into life in the executive mansion because he has one of the worst relationships with Israel, the Jewish state.
President Obama isn’t the only study in presidential religious irony. George W. Bush, the “evangelical” president, was the first to host and maintain an annual White House “Iftar” (pronouncedIf’-tar’), the celebratory night-time feast that breaks the daily fasts held during the observance of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.
For more on Passover, see my HEADLINE story to post at our website later today. Better yet, join me for a Passover Seder tomorrow night, Tuesday, March 30, 7:30 PM, at our ministry center across the street from the Supreme Court. (Where I don’t think they hold either a Seder or an Iftar, but the Chief Justice does hold an annual Christmas carol sing!)
Just a little aside: Many older and ancient Christian communities refer to the Easter season as “Pasqua,” (Italian) or Paskha (Greek), both of which are translations for the Hebrew word for Passover, “Pesach.” It was, of course, the Passover meal that Jesus celebrated with his disciples in the Upper Room, which is commonly called The Last Supper. St. Paul also refers to Christ as “our Passover.” (1 Corinthians 5:7)
Have a blessed Passover!
Rob +
Tags: obama, passover, seder, white house
Posted in News |
Now that I have your attention, I’ll say, well, sort of . . .
Today, from the very same podium on the very same stage in the very same room where in January I called the nation to pray for an end to abortion in America, President Obama called lawmakers to pass a health care bill that will be a huge financial stimulus for the abortion industry…
to read full post click here!
Tags: Barack and Michelle Obama, barack obama, Evangelism, faith and action, Healthcare, Healthcare Reform, Prayer Before Politics, Prayer in 2010, pro-life, religion, religion and politics |, Religion and Public Policy, rev. rob schenck, rob schenck, white house
Posted in News |
Chief of Program Peggy Nienaber represented Faith & Action at a recent all-day White House conference on Faith Based and Neighborhood partnerships. The invitation-only meeting was held in the elaborate Eisenhower Executive Office Building immediately next to the White House. The facility is accessible only through the White House gates.
Peggy participated in the discussion surrounding recommendations presented to the President by a special advisory council. The group was appointed to explore ways the White House can continue to work with faith-based organizations on efforts like Mr. Obama’s Responsible Fatherhood Initiative. Last year, on the 100th anniversary of Fathers’ Day, the President wrote in an article for Parade Magazine,
In many ways, I came to understand the importance of fatherhood through its absence — both in my life and in the lives of others. I came to understand that the hole a man leaves when he abandons his responsibility to his children is one that no government can fill. We can do everything possible to provide good jobs and good schools and safe streets for our kids, but it will never be enough to fully make up the difference.
That is why we need fathers to step up, to realize that their job does not end at conception; that what makes you a man is not the ability to have a child but the courage to raise one.
Faith & Action is working to reinforce the President’s admonition, particularly on his point that the job of fathers, “does not end at conception.”
Peggy Nienaber also used the conference as an opportunity to present the President’s point man for the Responsible Fatherhood program, Rev. Joshua DuBois, with a signed copy of a book by long-time Faith & Action supporter Pastor Kenneth Barney of the renowned New Antioch Baptist Church of Randallstown, Maryland.
Tags: faith based initiative, joshua dubois, new antioch baptist church, pastor kenneth barney, peggy neinaber, randallstown, rev. rob schenck, white house
Posted in News |
“CHRISTIAN LADY CLEANED FOR 6 PRESIDENTS”
Posted by Rob Schenck
If you’re as tired as I am of negative stories on the rancorous partisan rivalry that characterizes so much of Washington, DC, check out the link below to lift your spirit. Oddly, it’s an obituary, but the Scripture says, “The memory of the righteous will be a blessing . . .” (Proverbs 10:7) This woman’s memory surely is that. The longer I’m on Capitol Hill, the more I learn to look in the least likely places to find the most powerful people. Oh, and the next time I’m assailed for praying over the furniture around here, I’ll just point folk to Miss Emma Daniel Gray. I’m sure this lady’s “prayers over the chairs” saved our Republic from more than one disaster! You’ve got to read this: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/06/20/AR2009062001661.html .
Tags: bush, carter, faith & action, faith and action, johnson, miss emma daniel gray, nicon, president, proverbs 10:7, reagan, rob schenck, white house
Posted in News, Uncategorized |
Tags: barack obama, faith and action, missionary, outreach, politicians, president Obama, rev. rob schenck, rob schenck, the prophet ezekiel, white house
Posted in Congress, Elected Officials, Rob Schenck Checking In, Video, barack obama |
