WASHINGTON – Rev. Dr. Douglas D. Gerdts, pastor of First & Central Presbyterian Church in Wilmington, served as the guest chaplain and led the Senate in its opening prayer on Thursday morning. U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) invited Rev. Dr. Gerdts to be a guest chaplain.  

(Opening prayer of Rev. Dr. Douglas Gerdts on the Senate floor, as delivered on September 20, 2012)

Holy God, little can be said that doesn’t add to the cacophony of prayer that arises from humanity. Surely from this august chamber the volume and intensity is at times deafening. Yet these, O God, are servants of the people and of you. And so like Solomon we pray, “"Here's what we want: Give us a listening heart, so we can lead your people well, discerning the difference between good and evil. For who on their own is capable of leading your good people?" Who indeed, O God.

Our prayer this morning is quiet and simple: Instill wisdom and compassion, the quest for peace and the drive for justice, the humility to recognize our ignorance and the grace to welcome another’s point of view, and the awe of the responsibility conveyed upon us and the gratitude to relish our part in shaping the future. Most of all, let us never think that we travel this road alone. For who on their own is capable on their own of leading your good people? Amen.

(Remarks by Senator Chris Coons on the Senate floor, as delivered on September 20, 2012)

I rise today to express my gratitude to Leader Reid, to Chaplain Black, to all of us in the chamber and my gratitude to the Reverend Doctor Doug Gerdts. It is my honor and privilege to welcome him to our chamber this morning as one of Delaware's strongest and finest faith leaders. Reverend Gerdts leads the congregation at First and Central Presbyterian Church in Wilmington. Each time I join with him on Sunday mornings, I'm both uplifted by the stirring music, I’m challenged by his passionate sermons and I leave engaged for the week rooted in my faith and moved forward by his words and by his leadership.

But Reverend Gerdts' leadership extends far beyond the walls of his church, and touches those most in need in our community. The church literally opens its doors every Saturday welcoming in homeless Delawareans, and also welcoming in school children who need smaller class sizes and better instructions to succeed. I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Reverend Gerdts more than a dozen years. In my own service in county government, he chaired our diversity commission and he helped lead the charge for equality and civil unions in Delaware last year. He has made a real and lasting contribution to our community. He and his wonderful wife, Walle, are part of what makes Delaware a great place. As he shared with us in his prayer, he is exactly the sort of person who, through a listening heart, has become a powerful and effective servant leader of faith in my home community.

My thanks to the chaplain for allowing guest chaplains and my thanks to Reverend Doug Gerdts for his faith and leadership.

###