“Unity” is the theme nationwide for this year’s annual National Day of Prayer commemoration, which will take place from noon to 12:40 p.m. on Thursday, May 3, outside the City-County Building, 311 Hauss Square at Spring St. in downtown New Albany. (In case of inclement weather, the event will be moved to the Salvation Army gym at 2300 Green Valley Road.)
The public is invited to attend the brief program of music, Scripture reading, and prayer involving a variety of groups within the community. This year’s theme is from Ephesians 4:3 ... “making every effort to keep the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace.”
The commemoration is scheduled for the convenience of attending during the lunch hour with time to spare. Seats will be provided. Officials with the sponsoring Salvation Army of Southern Indiana encourage people to invite family, friends, co-workers, neighbors, church members, and others to the event, which is in its 67th year across the country and is always at noon on the first Thursday of May.
LOCAL PARTICIPANTS
Attorney Allan Hoffer, Salvation Army board member, will give the opening prayer, and the Rev. J. Michelle Washington of Jones Memorial AME Zion Church will read Scripture.
Carman Hammond, music minister at Graceland Baptist Church, will provide a vocal solo with guitar and will lead the crowd in “God Bless America”, the event’s signature closing.
Mayor Jeff Gahan and Salvation Army Maj. Angie Pennington will welcome guests and introduce those who will briefly pray, representing these segments of the community:
Churches--The Rev. Bruce Kischnick (Grace Lutheran)
Media--Shannon Kaiser (WLKY-TV)
Non-Profits—Mike Donahue (Local Missions Pastor/Southeast Christian)
Business—Bryan Haag (Owner/Chick-fil-A of Clarksville)
Healthcare--Dr. Candice Olund (Optometrist/Focus Eye Care)
Arts--Sally Newkirk (Executive Director/The Carnegie Center for Art and History)
Education--Sharon Jones (Director of Student Programs and Cultural Responsiveness/NA-FC Schools)
Social Services--Mike Stauffer (Local Outreach Ministry/Northside Christian)
Government/Civil Service—Dale Orem (Former Jeffersonville Mayor and NFL Official)
Military--Vince Reker (Veteran Marine/Commandant for Southeast Indiana Marines)
Incarcerated—Floyd County Sheriff Frank Loop
TIMELY OPPORTUNITY TO GATHER
The convenience of gathering during part of the lunch hour, the central location, and the involvement of a variety of churches and people are strengths of the event, according to Roxanne Haley, Salvation Army business administrator.
“When adults, young people, and children from different backgrounds attend and pray, it makes a strong statement that our community stands together when our culture needs God most,” she said.
The Salvation Army offers an array of services to residents of Clark, Crawford, Floyd, Harrison, Scott, and Washington counties.
For additional information, call 812-944-1018.