National Day of Prayer Observance is Thursday
ASHLAND, Ky. – The 23rd Annual National Day of Prayer Breakfast and Service will be held 8 a.m. Thursday, May 2 at the Highlands Museum and Discovery Center, fourth floor, 1620 Winchester Ave. The theme for this year’s event is Love One Another, echoing the command of Jesus in John 13:34 to “Love one another. Just as I have loved you.”
The National Day of Prayer event is hosted by King’s Daughters Medical Center, Our Lady of Bellefonte Hospital and the City of Ashland. There is no charge for the event, but reservations are required. Those wishing to attend may register by calling (606) 833-2273.
The National Day of Prayer is of the American heritage. Since the first call to prayer in 1775, when the Continental Congress asked the colonies to pray for wisdom in forming a nation, the call to prayer has continued through our history, including President Lincoln’s proclamation of a day of “humiliation, fasting, and prayer” in 1863. In 1952, a joint resolution by Congress, signed by President Truman, declared an annual national day of prayer. In 1988, the law was amended and signed by President Reagan, permanently setting the day as the first Thursday of every May. Each year, the president signs a proclamation, encouraging all Americans to pray on this day. Last year, all 50 state governors plus the governors of several U.S. territories signed similar proclamations.
The Rev. Scott Hill will welcome guests and deliver the blessing. Christ Temple Choir will perform the National Anthem, with the Call to Worship delivered by Marshall Tyson. Local leaders will deliver prayers for the seven pillars of community influence:
- MILITARY: Ashland City Manager Michael Graese retired as a colonel from the U.S. Army after 33 years of service. Beginning his career with the Kentucky National Guard, Graese’s career included extensive experience in air defense artillery and installation (city) management. He served as a Garrison Commander at Fort A.P. Hill, Va., and Fort Jackson, S.C., and Executive Officer (Chief of Staff) to the three star general responsible for 156 garrisons worldwide.
- GOVERNMENT: State Rep. Danny Bentley is in his second term of Kentucky’s General Assembly. He is a member of the Appropriations & Revenue Committee; chair of the budget subcommittee on Health & Family Services; and a member of the Local Government Committee.
- FAMILY: Todd Young has served as director of The Neighborhood for the past four years and, for the past three, as director of the Ashland Community Kitchen. He and his wife of 33 years have two adult sons, two beautiful daughters-in-law and two grandsons.
- BUSINESS: Ginny Anderson is a national certified, licensed professional clinical counselor and CEO of Ramey-Estep Homes. She was instrumental in the creation of Ramey-Estep’s outpatient branch, Re-Group Behavioral Health. She is an advocate for children and families serving on local and statewide committees and is vice chair of the Kentucky Chapter of the Children’s Alliance
- EDUCATION: Coach Jason Mays, currently assistant principal at Ashland Middle School, has coached basketball for nearly 20 years, serving as associate head coach at Valdosta State and Kentucky Wesleyan College. He assumed responsibility for Ashland Tomcats Basketball in 2018.
- RELIGION: Renee Parsons is director of Hope Central, a non-profit ministry that serves as the development arm of The Neighborhood. A commissioned missionary in the Kentucky Baptist Convention, she has served in the ministry for 23 years.
- MEDIA ARTS: Jeromy Sutherland started his media career more than 20 years ago. Eventually returning to his roots, Sutherland was responsible for converting his hometown radio station to a contemporary Christian format. Today, he is executive producer and co-owner of My Town TV, a digital media company, in Ashland.
Father Livinus Uba, an extern priest with the Catholic Diocese of Lexington and interim pastor at Holy Family Church, will deliver the benediction.
