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September 13, 2003
Statement of the Rev. Woodie W. White, Bishop
Indiana Area of The United Methodist Church
On the death of Governor Frank O'Bannon (1930-2003)
Saturday, September 13, 2003
Statement
With Hoosiers across this great state, we
grieve with Judy O'Bannon and her family on the death of her beloved
husband and our gracious Governor Frank O'Bannon.
As bishop of the O'Bannon family, my
prayers and my sympathies go to Mrs. O'Bannon, her family and to our
United Methodist congregation at Corydon, the O'Bannon's home
congregation. I have greatly appreciated the deep commitment and loyalty
Governor and Mrs. O'Bannon have given to their faith and their church.
Our Governor was a man beloved and respected
by ordinary citizens, members of government regardless of party
affiliation, and those of great influence and power.
The United Methodist Church and its more than
1,300 congregations across the State of Indiana extend our sympathies to
the O'Bannon family.
There are these times in life when difference
-- political party -- race -- ethnicity -- social and economic
status -- are transcended and the community finds a common bond in such
shared concerns in its corporate grief.
Prayer
Please join me in this prayer in your homes
and congregations.
O God, we come with anxious minds, troubled
spirits, and aching hearts. We have been so suddenly reminded of our
human frailty and that the gift of life on this earth is not forever.
We now offer our prayers for our friends,
loved ones and colleagues in the O'Bannon home. We pray for your
wholeness in our brokenness, knowing that you care for both the living
and the dead.
We offer thanks for those with skilled hands
and informed minds who attended the governor this week in his illness.
We pray for comfort for Mrs. O'Bannon, her
family, loved ones and colleagues.
Dear God, be with us all in the days ahead.
Be with our state officials, especially those who must now assume new
tasks and responsibilities. We pray now for your servant Joseph Kernan
who now takes the responsibility of leading our state as Governor.
Increase our faith, strengthen our resolve that we may be found faithful
whatever the future holds.
For Governor O'Bannon, his leadership and
witness we give you thanks. And in all things, we affirm that God is
good, all the time. All the time, God is good. In the name of our risen
Lord we pray.
Amen.
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