President Bush ‘Proud to be a Methodist’
President George W. Bush is “proud to be a Methodist,” at least according to comments he made to the United Methodist bishops who met with him on Tuesday at the White House
President George W. Bush is “proud to be a Methodist” - at least according to comments he made to a group of visitng United Methodist bishops at the White House on Tuesday.
Five United Methodist Church (UMC) bishops had made a 10-minute pastoral visit to Bush, a fellow Methodist, and presented him with a Bible signed by the denomination’s council of bishops.
According to Bishop Peter Weaver, president of the council who headed the visit, the meeting opened doors for future conversations and work with the White House.
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"We believe ... that some doors have been opened," Weaver later reported to the Council of Bishops, according the United Methodist News Service. The council is planning to meet May 1-6 in Washington, DC.
The private meeting had two purposes - to let the President know that Methodist bishops are praying for him, and to continue building on a fruitful relationship with the White House in regards to justice, peace, and hope.
In that light, the bishops had a moment of prayer with the president.
“He was eager to have prayer,” said John Schol of the Washington D.C area of Bush. “We joined hands in a circle and prayed together.”
According to Weaver, the bishops also discussed ways to find solutions to common problems such as AIDS in Africa.
In retrospect, Weaver said Bush was “very cordial, very friendly.”
“He was interested in things we were doing in the United Methodist Church,” Weaver explained. “At one point, he said, ‘I’m proud to be a Methodist.’”
Others in the delegation were: Bishop Janice Huie, president-designate of the council; Bishop Ernest Lyght, council secretary; and Charlene Kammerer of the Richmond (Va.) Area.
Following the brief pastoral visit, the President met in a larger gathering with leaders of the Episcopalian, United Church of Christ, American Baptist, Disciples of Christ and Presbyterian traditions.
