
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, May 12, 1993                   TAG: 9305120050
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-4   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: PAUL DELLINGER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: PULASKI                                LENGTH: Medium

PRAYER OBSERVANCE FILLS PULASKI COUNTY BOARDROOM

In Pulaski, a lot of people turn out for governmental meetings of the Pulaski County Board of Supervisors.

And even more show up, although many would rather not, for Pulaski County General District Court.

But still more will voluntarily come together to pray.

At least they did Thursday during a National Day of Prayer program in the Board of Supervisors' meeting room in the County Administration Building.

When the supervisors meet there, and when General District Court used to be held there, not all of the approximately 80 seats would be filled. But, for the prayer day service, more chairs had to be brought in and even then people were lined up against the walls and overflowing into the hallway.

The Rev. Phil Taylor from Dublin Baptist Church welcomed the crowd to the 40-minute program starting at 12:20 p.m.

"It's not like we have a shortage of things about which to pray," said Taylor, who helped organize a similar program last year.

The Rev. Stanley Armes, from Pulaski Presbyterian Church in America, headed this year's program and also provided a prayer for law enforcement.

Other leaders included the Rev. Don Sizemore, Dublin Pentecostal Holiness Church, leading a prayer for the family; Frank Kelly, a layman, a prayer for churches; the Rev. Don Weaver, Bob White Boulevard Church of God, a prayer for the educational system; and the Rev. Gordon Shinn, Heritage Church Assembly of God, a prayer for legislators and government officials.

The Rev. C.R. Conner, First Pentecostal Holiness, even led a prayer for Christian impact in media joined by Southwest Times Publisher Billy Smith and representatives of Pulaski's two radio stations.

It had been the Southwest Times last fall that suggested editorially and on its sports pages that people attending Pulaski County High School football games spontaneously pray "The Lord's Prayer" before each game.

School officials had substituted a general thought for the day for the traditional pregame prayer, which had been led over the public-address system, after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled last June 24 that such school-sponsored prayer was unconstitutional.

But the court has nothing against voluntary prayer. And, in Pulaski County, there obviously are plenty of volunteers.

by CNB