United Methodist Bishops Congratulate President Bush on Reelection Victory

Council of Bishops of The United Methodist Church

Bishop Roy I. Sano, Executive Secretary

100 Maryland Ave. NE

Washington, D.C. 20002

(202) 547-6270

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Nov. 4, 2004



Contact: Stephen Drachler

(615) 742-5411 office

(615) 456-4710 cell

United Methodist Bishops Congratulate President Bush

on Reelection Victory;Following 200-year Tradition,

Bishops Sign Bible for U.S. President

ST. SIMONS ISLAND, Ga. Bishops from President Bush's denomination today congratulated him on his reelection to a second term and offered to work with him "to build bridges of understanding."



Meeting at Epworth by the Sea, a United Methodist retreat center, the group of 130 bishops from the U.S., Africa, Europe, and Asia, released the following statement:

Council of Bishops

The United Methodist Church Congratulates U.S. President George W. Bush



The Council of Bishops of The United Methodist Church offers its congratulations to U.S. President George W. Bush as he assumes the presidency for a second term. We thank Massachusetts Sen. John F. Kerry for the gracious way he has accepted the voters' decision. The Council represents 11 million United Methodists in the United States, Africa, Europe, and Asia.



Our prayers are for President Bush, his wife, Laura, and their family, and for Sen. Kerry, his wife, Teresa, and their family, after the tightly contested presidential race.



We pledge to work with President Bush to build bridges of understanding that we pray will lead to overcoming the gulfs that divide the nation and the world.



In every nation, where free elections are held, they create crossroads of opportunities. This year's U.S. election is no different. The election process reflected the nation's concerns about moral values, economic well-being, and national security. It is of no small consequence that these are also worldwide concerns growing out of our understanding of Christian faith.



We will continue to keep our brother in Christ, and fellow United Methodist, President Bush, in our prayers. We look forward to building a constructive relationship with him as we shape a world where we do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with God.



Bishop Peter D. Weaver, President

On behalf of the Council of Bishops

Nov. 4, 2004

Epworth by the Sea, St. Simons Island, Ga.

Following a 200-year tradition of giving a signed Bible to each U.S. president, the bishops then began signing a leather-bound Bible, which will be presented to President Bush. President Bush is a member of Highland Park United Methodist Church in Dallas, Texas.