Day of Prayer Observed at Towanda

Adults and children bow their heads in prayer in front of the Bradford County Courthouse in Towanda on May 4 (top). Participants included students from St. Agnes Elementary School (above) and North Rome Christian School (below).

Photos and Story by Rick Hiduk

Students from two religion-based schools in Bradford County upheld tradition on the National Day of Prayer by gathering on the courthouse steps in Towanda on Thursday for a program that combined prayer, songs of praise, and speeches by local religious leaders and dignitaries.

In the course of the 45-minute event, coordinated by Nancy Schrader (below), prayers were offered for the Nation and the Federal Government; state, county and local leaders; teachers and children; U.S. Armed Services; law enforcement and emergency personnel; communities, churches, and clergy; and for personal renewal and moral awakening.

Key speakers and prayer leaders included Bradford County Commissioners Doug McLinko and Daryl Miller; Rep. Tina Pickett; Rev. Rachel Stahle of Towanda Presbyterian Church; U.S. Army veteran Thomas Elliott; Bradford County Sheriff C.J. Walters; Rev. Rob Wuethrich of Bentley Creek Wesleyan Church (below); Michael Kilmer of Bradford County Pennsylvanians for Life; and Magisterial District Judge Timothy Clark.

A prominent feature of the annual event, which organizers estimate has been taking place for at least 25 years, is the involvement of children – namely students from North Rome Christian School (NRCS) and St. Agnes Elementary School in Towanda.

NRCS administrator Lee Ann Carmichael credited Lisa Hurst (below at keyboard), the school’s praise and worship director, and third grade teacher Melissa Wandell for collaborating to select songs that both elementary and high school-age students would enjoy performing. The 130 youths delighted audience members with renditions of “Me Without You” and “Heal This Land.”

The latter tune, Carmichael noted, tied in nicely with the prayer by Michael Kilmer (below) that preceded it.

Approximately 60 St. Agnes pupils from grade one through six participated in the Day of Prayer under the direction of Sue Christian and her husband, Joel, who accompanied the children on guitar. They performed “Siyahamba” and “The Lord of the Dance,” the latter moving the crowd to sway and sing along.

I believe that prayer changes things,” said Nancy Schrader, who has conducted the program for about nine years. “I believe that we need to pray and ask the Lord to change things.” In the face of moral decay and crime, she added, “We need to be a prayerful people.”

Skies were a bit on the gloomy side on Thursday, but it has never rained on a Day of Prayer in Towanda, said Schrader, who followed in the footsteps of former event coordinator Jeanne Cook.

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