Minister chosen for inaugural sermon

WASHINGTON, Jan. 11 (UPI) -- The Rev. Sharon Watkins, U.S. president of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), will deliver the sermon at the National Prayer Service, officials say.

The Jan. 21 event will cap President-elect Barack Obama's inauguration activities. Watkins will be the first woman to give the sermon at the event, held at the National Cathedral in Washington, the Presidential Inauguration Committee said in a statement posted on its Web site Sunday.

"I am truly honored to speak at this historic occasion," Watkins said. "My prayer when I preach is always that God will use me to bring a Gospel message that is uplifting and appropriately challenging to those who hear it. I hope that my message will call us to believe in something bigger than ourselves and remind us to reach out to all of our neighbors to build communities of possibility."

The National Prayer Service will include prayers, readings and hymns delivered by religious leaders spanning a diverse array of faiths, the committee said.