NDR Media Coverage

York Daily Record

7 May 2004

Prayer Finds Inspiration
The Monument Controversy in Hanover Added to the Resolve of Some Residents

by Scott Paida

One symbol of faith might be under fire in Hanover, but that only served to make another one on display Thursday evening that much stronger.

Many of the 30-35 people who attended Thursday evening's National Day of Prayer gathering in the borough square said the controversy over the Ten Commandments monument in Wirt Park has actually turned out to be a positive for the local Christian community.

"It's been a blessing," said the Rev. Kevin Orewiler, pastor of the Foursquare Gospel Church. "Controversy brings people together."

"It did exactly the opposite of what they (the monument's detractors) were hoping would happen," said Hanover Mayor Margret Hormel, who recited Abraham Lincoln's 1863 "Call to Prayer" at the gathering. "They were hoping it would just be taken out and be done with, but it's united a lot of people."

Worshipers, however, made sure not to let the monument situation overshadow the real reason they came out Thursday — to pray.

"Prayer changes things," said Heidelberg Township resident Larry Gise.

Bertie Miller, an 81-year-old member of Orewiler's congregation, said she was praying for a more moral society.

"As a nation, we need to get back to God," Miller said.

After Miller read part of the Lincoln passage, those who had gathered broke into smaller groups of three or four for their own individual prayers.

Hanover resident Chip Stephens said he prayed for the nation, its leadership and police and firefighters.

He said the modest turnout doesn't reflect on the worshipers' spirit Thursday.

"It's not really about numbers," Stephens said. "It's just about looking for unity in the people."

The Hanover event was one of 38 held simultaneously throughout the county on Thursday evening.

York's Continental Square was shut down for 30 minutes so that people could pray, and Dallastown, Spring Grove and West York boroughs were also among those holding gatherings.

Other events were held throughout the area during the daytime hours.

Churches throughout York County were open at noontime for prayer.

The York Rescue Mission also hosted a prayer gathering and continental breakfast Thursday morning.

Mission spokeswoman Kathy Jones said representatives from at least 11 local churches attended.

A board member for the York-based group Pennsylvania Nonbelievers Inc., which serves atheists, agnostics, freethinkers and secular humanists, said the group doesn't begrudge worshipers being able to do that Thursday.

But Carl Silverman said the group does take issue with Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell issuing a National Day of Prayer proclamation and not a "Day of Reason" proclamation.

"We respect religious freedom," Silverman said. "What we had a problem with was government endorsing belief over non-belief."

Abe Amoros, a spokesman for the governor, defended Rendell's position.

"Basically, the governor feels strongly that given the times and circumstances we find ourselves in today, a day of prayer seems to be in order," Amoros said. "The governor feels strongly that every day should be a day where reason reigns supreme, and he doesn't feel it's necessary to have a special day for reason."

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