Churches Vie to Attract The Newest First Family

"I don't remember that kind of excitement," said Mary Finch Hoyt, former press secretary for Rosalynn Carter. The Carters attended First Baptist Church of the City of Washington D.C., the faith home of several previous presidents. "After the initial questions about what being 'born again' means were answered satisfactorily, their religion and worship habits were more or less taken for granted," Hoyt said.

Some ministers say they have been told that the Obamas won't make a decision until January. The Obamas have not moved to a new church in Chicago since leaving Wright's church, and the transition team isn't saying whether they have chosen a church here -- or if they've begun the search.

But plenty of others are weighing in.

Denominational leaders are getting into the act, pointing out how their faith's beliefs line up with Obama's.

Bishop John School, who heads the Baltimore-Washington Conference of the United Methodist Church, sent Obama a list of local United Methodist churches.

"Our congregations would be glad to welcome you, your family, your staff and their families to be part of our communities of prayer and service," his letter said. "Your message of personal responsibility and social justice are important United Methodist themes."

The United Church of Christ, the denomination of Obama's former church, United Trinity Church of Christ, is in the running, too. UCC General Minister and President John Thomas dropped Obama a note three days after the election "offering the hospitality of our congregations in Washington as places of nurture, sanctuary and encouragement."

Churches that have hosted former presidents aren't far behind. First Baptist Church of the City of Washington D.C., at which five previous presidents have worshiped, has offered itself for a pre-inaugural service or as a church home for the Obamas, said Dennis Lambert, church administrator.

In his letter, Luis León, rector of St. John's Church, Lafayette Square, an Episcopal church just steps from the White House, pointed out that every president since James Madison has attended St. John's at least once during their administration.

"We, of course, would be delighted if he chose to attend here," Leon said.

Churches haven't hesitated to use their political connections. Among others, Foundry United Methodist, spiritual home of the Clintons, has used members with connections to the Obamas as conduits.

"We have attempted to communicate to both the incoming administration and also to those newly elected to Congress that we see part of our mission to be a spiritual home for people serving in our government," said the church's pastor, the Rev. Dean Snyder.

Many churches are stressing their community activism and social-justice outreach to a president whose professional background includes such involvement. New York Avenue Presbyterian is touting its involvement with Washington Interfaith Network and its community organizing, Westmoreland has pointed out its social outreach and Calvary is promoting its "faith that matters."

It isn't easy hosting a president. Aside from extensive security sweeps, church members are generally limited to entering through one door, often leading to lines, and must go through metal detectors and submit to those Secret Service pokes through handbags and other bags.

And given the attention to Wright's fiery sermons when they were posted on YouTube, some ministers have worried about the scrutiny over what they say ending up part of the national dialogue.

Nonetheless, said Lynch, "It's prestigious to have [the Obamas] attend -- it's such a historic presidency -- which outweighs the significant challenges and difficulties."