Loading...Bishop Baxter offered the invocation for this event at the invitation of Governor Edward Rendell.
Bishop Nathan D. Baxter offered the invocation for the annual Capitol Christmas Tree lighting ceremony on Dec. 8 in the Capitol Rotunda in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
Baxter was invited to speak by Pennsylvania Governor Edward Rendell.
"While I have been invited on a number of occasions to offer prayers in the White House and both Houses of Congress, it was a special honor to be invited by my governor to offer public prayers for the people of my home state," said Baxter.
The occasion honored the rescue of the 33 Chilean miners who were trapped underground for 69 days following a cave-in at the San José copper-gold mine in the Atacama Desert near Copiapó, Chile. Three Pennsylvania companies were critical to the rescue operation: one designed the drill, another served as the drilling company and the other specially prepared the food and designed packaging which fed the trapped miners.
The tree-lighting theme, "Home for the Holidays," was accentuated by Chile's global drama of tragedy, faith, international effort and finally, hope realized. The presence of diplomatic and political officials from Pennsylvania other countries such as Chile, Mexico and Israel, which were directly involved in the rescue, spoke richly of hope, diversity and common commitment.
"For years I have found a special vocation in offering public prayers for occasions which draw together culturally and religiously diverse communities," said Baxter. "In an age when many describe themselves as 'spiritual' rather than religious it is a way to speak to the spiritual character of issues or occasions for which people may gather. Over the years I have been amazed by the healing and inspiration people have noted regarding a given prayer."
Approximately 300 people attended the ceremony, including students from the St. Stephens Episcopal School, Harrisburg, and Jaime Ravinet, Chile's minister of defense, who helped push the button to light up 600 bulbs on the 21-foot tree, which was donated by the family-owned Crystal Spring Tree Farm in Mahoning Township near Lehighton. Ravinet was assisted by Pennsylvania Governor-elect Tom Corbett and his wife, Susan.
