Summer Speaker Series (Adult Classes): Rev. Dr. Margaret Kibben

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Zoom link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87391794908

Speaker: Rev. Dr. Margaret Kibben, Chaplain, United States House of Representatives
Title: Prayer in the House: The History of Legislative Prayer

Since 1789, each legislative day, both the United State House of Representatives and the US Senate, convene with prayer. Given the divided religious (and political) opinions that have existed since the founding of the United States, it may seem incongruous, if not unconstitutional, that a public display of faith would be given such prominence in the halls of Congress.

As with most things ceremonial, there is a history that surrounds this practice, a history worth considering before determining the rightness or wrongness of the ongoing tradition. Even something as seemingly benign as prayer is not exempt from historical controversy, but in fact, the enduring debate over the role of prayer in Congress is reflective of the constant tension we as a nation have been managing since its inception.

It behooves us, both as compatriots and communities of faith, to explore both traditions and conditions that have played a significant role in our country’s understanding of and commitment to the separation of Church and State. This lecture is intended to open the windows to history and the doors to discussion.

Margaret Kibben is the Chaplain to the House of Representatives. She is a dynamic spiritual leader and strategic-level consultant with more than thirty years of experience in enhancing the resiliency and well-being of the organizations she serves. Prior to this new position, Margaret served as Lecturer in the School of Engineering at The Catholic University of America.

As Chief of Chaplains for the U.S. Navy, she served as a trusted advisor to senior military officers on leadership development, providing a unique, pragmatic perspective in how personal and professional value systems translate both within their command and throughout the world. She holds a deep belief that the integrity of each leader affects the health, welfare, and capability of an organization and guides executives on instilling a culture in their organizations that supports enterprise goals.

Margaret grew up in Warrington, PA where she was confirmed in the Presbyterian Church. She earned her B.A. from Goucher College in Towson, MD and her M.Div. and D. Min. from Princeton Theological Seminary, where she serves as President of the Alumni Council and is a member of the Board of Trustees. Margaret also holds a Master’s Degree from the Naval War College in National Security and Strategic Studies.

Margaret has been stationed all over the world, from Quantico, VA and the Naval Academy in Annapolis, to Turkey, Norway and Afghanistan.

Summer Speaker Series
What is the future of Christian community? As the world comes to grips with the impact of the pandemic and quarantine, exacerbated by increased polarization, what does that mean for the followers of Jesus Christ? Each Sunday this summer we’ll hear about an important aspect of our life together—as the Christian community and as Christians in the larger community context in which we live our daily lives. We will meet in person in Stone Fellowship Hall, 9:45-10:45 am, beginning Sunday June, 18 through August 27. We will also take advantage of technology to enable both remote attendance each week, as well as to have one or two remote speakers join us from across the country.