Assistant superintendent speaks at event

News-Herald Staff Writer Dave Komer recently covered National Day of Prayer observances in Taylor. This is his report.

Almost 200 people turned out for a National Day of Prayer observance at the Cameron G. Priebe Municipal Plaza recently, including Taylor School District Asst. Supt. Teresa Winnie, who spoke at the event.

A cadre of religious and city leaders took turns at the podium leading prayers for unity, peace and wisdom for the city and the world during the one-hour program.



The UAW Region 1A Honor Guard attended, as well as Gilead Baptist Church musical duo Jack Smith and Craig Brown. The two performed the national anthem and “God Bless America” to open the ceremonies and sang “God of the City” at the end of the program.



Prayers were offered for the country, President Barack Obama, America’s armed forces, life, marriage and moral issues, housing, business and the economy, and for state leadership and Gov. Rick Snyder and first responders, among others.



Featured speakers included Pastor Philip Nissley of the New Hope Assembly for God; Pastor Cliff Molnar of Victory Ministries; Bishop Gary Harper of Greater Grace Temple; Pastor Thomas Downs of Gilead Baptist Church; Pastor John Reilly of Beacon Baptist Church (he’s also the school board president); Linda Linden, director of Guiding Hands Pregnancy Refuge; John Carter, the Taylor Housing Commission’s executive director; City Council Chairwoman Cheryl Burke; Bishop J. Andre of Heritage Park Church of God; Pastor Ryan Bettinger of Northline Baptist Church; Pastor Bill Fix of Journey of Hope Community Church; and Jeremy Waechter, head of the Taylor substance abuse prevention task force.



Winnie spoke, praying to strengthen the school district’s administrators and students.



“In addition to educational knowledge and nutritious food for students, that the spiritual part would be fed with your word,” Winnie said. “Although our public institution cannot accommodate you, God, we teach from your word.”



The Rev. Leo Sabourin of Saint Constance Catholic Church prayed for the news media, arts and entertainment and unity.

“We are assembled here in the presence of God because we are one nation under God,” he said. “As a key community Downriver, we stand together. It matters not what culture, color, language, whether under the roof of a church or the blue sky. It matters not; we are children of God.”



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Contact Staff Writer David Komer at 1-734-246-0866 or dkomer@heritage.com. Follow him on Facebook and @DavidKomer_NH on Twitter.