What Church Should Obama Attend?

Since Obama seems to have been channeling Abraham Lincoln for a long time - Foundry United Methodist Church

For almost two centuries, the church has been home to presidents, members of Congress, and others in public service. President Abraham Lincoln became a Life Director of the Methodist Missionary Society, and President Rutherford Hayes attended Foundry nearly every Sunday during his term. President Franklin Roosevelt and Prime Minister Winston Churchill attended a special service at Foundry on December 25, 1941. President William Clinton and his family attended regularly.

Rev. Dean Snyder (after Clintons left DC):
"As pastor of Foundry United Methodist Church, I renew my pledge to lead services that recognize and honor gay and lesbian persons in committed relationships. I will continue to seek to do so in such a way that does not violate denominational rules of the United Methodist Church, even though I strongly disagree with them."

Rev. Dean Snyder - Don't Use Wright To Polarize - March 25, 2008
http://tinyurl.com/2xdyd2

"The Reverend Jeremiah Wright is an outstanding church leader whom I have heard speak a number of times," Snyder wrote. "He has served for decades as a profound voice for justice and inclusion in our society. To evaluate his dynamic ministry on the basis of two or three sound bites does a grave injustice to Dr. Wright, the members of his congregation, and the African-American church which has been the spiritual refuge of a people that has suffered from discrimination, disadvantage, and violence. Dr. Wright, a member of an integrated denomination, has been an agent of racial reconciliation while proclaiming perceptions and truths uncomfortable for some white people to hear. Those of us who are white Americans would do well to listen carefully to Dr. Wright rather than to use a few of his quotes to polarize."

And in a recent New York Times article, even he acknowledged that some in his congregation were aghast at Wright's remarks.

"During staff meetings this week at his church," the Times reported, "Snyder said he noticed the rising awareness among some African-Americans of white Americans, he said, 'who don't understand the history of black people in this country and the role of the black church as a prophetic voice, and that in church you can say things that you couldn't in larger society.'"

Several United Methodist pastors spoke out in defense of Rev Wright.

I hope the Obamas will continue to be part of our denomination. That being said, I expect they may attend (join?) either First Congregational UCC, which is near the White House, or Peoples UCC, an amazing African American congregation (their building were designed to emulate African huts yet incorporate Western religious styles) not far from the White House. It is unwise to judge any denomination by a single pastor/preacher. We have been here a very long time (our ancestry includs the Pilgrims) and represents a household of faith that embraces change, honors tradition, and holds relationships with God dearly. They would do well to stay with us.