On September 23, a community prayer breakfast, sponsored by the Canora Ministerial Association, was held at the Canora Legion Dugout to honour and pray for the mayor and town council.
Rev. Brett Watson, who served as host for the event, said the direction to honour and pray for government comes from the Bible, in Romans 13. Watson said its good to remember that the members of local government are real people, and in need of support.
“They don’t get paid much, they just get the good feeling of helping their neighbours. We need to pray for them regularly as they work for us.”
The meal was catered by Candace Doogan, and the blessing before the meal was given by Rev. Dwaine Senechal.
The music was provided by Larry King of Yorkton, who performed two songs written by well-known songwriter Chuck Day: Handful of Weeds and Low Enough.
The guest speaker, Walter Farquharson of Saltcoats, spoke out of his experiences as a minister and as a person who has many years of involvement in municipal government and a variety of community organizations and projects.
Farquharson said a prayer breakfast serves a variety of important functions.
“Reminding us that we live as people privileged to live in a democracy and that we have inherited a form of government that understands that good government seeks the well-being of all peoples and a careful stewardship of planet earth and earth’s resources.
“A careful stewardship of human resources means opportunity for all to contribute to the building up of a healthy and health-giving society, and for all to share in that which calls to account all government actions, economic systems, social groupings, individual actions and beliefs that impact others for good or ill.
“Such gatherings as this are also intended to show that people of faith have much in common, and much in common also with people who do not see themselves as people of faith – at least in any commonly understood way.”
Farquharson emphasized the importance of giving thanks for those who step forward to offer their service, skills and ideas in municipal government and life, and to pray God guides them and gives them wisdom, a sense of justice and mercy, as well as creative and enabling energy.
Farquharson shared his thoughts with those in attendance on the call to build creative and welcoming communities, and the interaction between civic live and life as a people of faith and religious commitment.
He said that too often, politicians are unfairly criticized. Voters can sometimes lose sight of the humanity of those in government, that they’re people too. But he said there’s also a real danger of the reverse happening, and those in government failing to treat residents like real people. Seeing the others’ humanity is always a combination of ability, art and grace. He said a good time to be reminded of this is at events such as community prayer breakfasts.
One of the most challenging times facing any municipal government is budgeting, said Farquharson.
“Budget times need to be times of saying “What are the pros and cons of doing this? Of doing this now? Of doing this in this particular way? What are the pros and cons of not doing
this?
“New questions arise, questions such as ‘Who is advantaged by this budget? Who is disadvantaged? Who gains? Who loses? Who is hurt? Who is sidelined (and often it is who is sidelined again)? Whose voice is heard? Whose is not heard?’”
Farquharson illustrated these points with a Bible story from Mark 12:38-44.
“In His teaching Jesus was saying: ‘Beware of the scribes who like to walk around in long robes, and like respectful greetings in the market places, and chief seats in the synagogues and places of honour at banquets, who devour widows’ houses, and for appearance’s sake offer long prayers; these will receive greater condemnation.’
“And He sat down opposite the treasury, and began observing how the people were putting money into the treasury; and many rich people were putting in large sums. A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which amount to a cent. Calling His disciples to Him, He said to them, “Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the contributors to the treasury; for they all put in out of their surplus, but she, out of her poverty, put in all she owned, all she had to live on.”
Farquharson went on to compare the building of communities to the tending of a garden or an orchard. The work is done with loving care. It is all about nurture and shaping, and about the pruning away of that which is no longer fruitful so that the garden or orchard becomes fruitful. Part of that pruning occurs when members of communities hold each other accountable, and they are willing to be held accountable.
“The image of God, the intention of God, the love of God, is to be seen in us and in the communities we seek to build.”
In her response, Mayor Gina Rakochy was grateful for the support that was so apparent throughout the event for the municipal leaders of Canora.
“Thanks to town council; I couldn’t do it alone. Thanks to the Canora Ministerial Association for putting on this community prayer breakfast. And thanks to our residents for their support and for remembering Canora is a great place to work and play.”
Rev. Franklin Emereuwa closed the prayer breakfast with a prayer and benediction, which included thanksgiving for the freedom to gather in God’s name.
“We believe You are here today and we call for Your blessing on our mayor and our councillors. Bless them and their families, and help them in their struggles. Bless the good people of Canora. May we continue to be agents of your love, peace and unity. Amen.”
