President Bush receives top award from United Methodist group
12/19/2003 News media contact: Tim Tanton · (615) 742-5470 · Nashville, Tenn. By the Rev. J. Richard Peck* WASHINGTON
(UMNS) - President George W. Bush received top honors from United
Methodist Men Dec. 17 for his statements of faith and his call for the
nation to be in prayer following the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11,
2001.
The award, certifying the president as a member of the
Society of John Wesley Fellows, was presented by Gilbert Hanke, national
president of United Methodist Men, which sponsors the award through its
foundation.
Hanke was elected to this volunteer position in
2000. He is a speech/language pathologist in Nacogdoches, Texas, working
for Nacogdoches Medical Center and Stephen F. Austin State University.
After
presenting President Bush with a plaque, Hanke asked and received
permission to offer a prayer. "Being the Christmas season," Hanke said
later, "our prayer included a request for 'peace on earth and good will
to all.'"
The presentation ceremony followed a decision made two
years ago when United Methodist Men from the South Central Jurisdiction
wanted to find a way to express their appreciation to Bush for his
actions after the 9-11 tragedy.
Bush is the 426th person to
receive the award making him a member of the Society of John Wesley
Fellows. Its sponsor, the United Methodist Men Foundation, was created
in the early 1980s to ensure that scouting ministries (Boy Scouts, Girl
Scouts, Campfire and 4-H) would always be a focus of the denomination.
The foundation now supports scouting, evangelistic ministries, a prayer
line and other men's ministries.
"The John Wesley Award is given
to clergy, laymen and laywomen who have demonstrated their commitment to
Christ and their understanding that this faith affects every aspect of
their daily life," said the Rev. Joe Harris, top staff executive of the
Commission on United Methodist Men in Nashville, Tenn. "The recognition
of President Bush as a John Wesley fellow emphasizes the significance of
this award and honors him for his daily walk with Christ."
During
Hanke's 10-minute visit in the Oval Office, Bush gave him a tour of
some of the furnishings, beginning with the desk made famous in a photo
of young John Kennedy Jr.
The president also spoke about the
hymn, "Charge to Keep I Have," by Charles Wesley, John Wesley's brother,
and showed Hanke a framed piece of calligraphy with the words of the
hymn that hangs under a painting of the same name. The hymn was sung at
his inaugurations as governor of Texas and president.
"And now I
have this award named for John Wesley," Bush told Hanke. "Thank you so
much for coming all the way from Texas to give me this."
Hanke
told Bush that he was the first president to receive the award. "How
many Methodist presidents have there been?" Bush asked.
"I don't know, but you're the best," Hanke replied.
"Right answer,' the president fired back.
Bush,
a member of the Highland Park United Methodist Church in Dallas, sent
his greetings and best wishes to the citizens of Nacogdoches, a city he
has visited several times.
# # #
*Peck is a journalist and consultant for United Methodist Men.
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