Uniontown petitions refer to various needs
As America celebrated National Day of Prayer Thursday, Fayette County residents affirmed their own belief in God and offered petitions for government, media, education, churches and the family. “It’s a privilege to speak to God, to gather together to lift up our country,’ said the Rev. Terry Collins, pastor of Chalk Hill, Sugar Loaf and Sansom Chapel United Methodist churches, who served as master of ceremonies for the 13th annual National Day of Prayer Breakfast in Uniontown.
About 90 people attended the 6 a.m. breakfast in the social hall of Cherry Tree Alliance Church, where Nick Cook, pastor of Abundant Life Church in Uniontown, carried a pro-life message as the keynote speaker. He asked those attending the breakfast to become part of a community-wide effort to open a local Care Net Crisis Pregnancy Center.
“I believe God is charging us to band together to see this crisis pregnancy center become a reality,’ said Cook, who noted a public meeting on the center was first held March 31 at the Uniontown Public Library. On Thursday, he urged local churches to become involved.
Cook showed videos that included a thankful mother and father whose son was born premature but managed to survive and how a teenage mother found compassion and help from a pregnancy center and her parents.
“God is calling us to take action,’ said Cook. “The foundation has been laid. We’re off to a good start. … Here is a chance for committed Christians of the community to save lives.’
An information sheet explained Care Net is a national organization devoted to equipping, promoting and developing a network of pregnancy centers across North America. Their centers offer practical, emotional and spiritual help for women and families facing crisis pregnancies, the paper stated.
The information sheet also said the center would offer free pregnancy tests, information on pregnancy options (including adoption), sexually transmitted diseases and abstinence education, a library of books and videos on parenting, adoption and abortion as well as gently used baby clothes, diapers and formula, a 24-hour nationwide hotline, Bible studies for men and women, peer counseling, post-abortion counseling and prayer, Bibles and a salvation message.
Jamie Tressler of Faith Bible Church in Connellsville led singing at the breakfast while local pastors offered prayers.
The Rev. Ken Van Sickle of Meadow Run Church in Ohiopyle prayed for government.
“Strengthen and guide the people whom we have elected,’ he said.
The Rev. Dewvaul Tracy of Beulah Baptist Church in Smithfield prayed for the media.
“We ask you forgive those in the media for their lack of knowledge and insight,’ he said.
The Rev. Bonnie Hartley of Laurel Hill Presbyterian in Dunbar prayed for education.
She said, “As education is measured by test scores these days, we pray that educators and administrators might keep children’s best interests at heart.’
The Rev. Cheryl Dennis from Oak Hill Baptist Church in Smithfield prayed for churches.
“Your churches are a gift, and it’s a blessing to us to be a part of a church family and a privilege to serve in that church,’ she said.
The Rev. Jack Herman of Cherry Tree Alliance prayed for families and reminded people to think about their neighbors in saying, “Forgive us for not caring for one another as we should.’
A few hours later, a National Day of Prayer gathering in Marshall Park was kicked off at 10 a.m. by the Rev. Elmer “Buzz’ Hall, pastor of Solid Rock Ministry-Faith-Hope-Love, a Uniontown church that hosted the event for the third year.
“Good morning. Isn’t this a wonderful day? God has given us a beautiful day in the park,’ Hall said from the stage where musical groups would perform throughout the day.
As part of the kickoff, Joe T. Joseph from American Legion Post 51 in Uniontown conducted a flag ceremony, carrying a flag with Fayette County Commissioner Chairwoman Angela M. Zimmerlink across the area to be planted in front of the stage. The two then took the stage, with Zimmerlink leading everyone in saying the Pledge of Allegiance.
“I’m very proud of the things you are doing in Uniontown,’ said Joseph, urging people to bring their children to the event after school and expressing dismay that prayer is no longer allowed in public schools.
Uniontown Mayor Jim Sileo, a former teacher, also spoke of a need for prayer and offered praise, noting, “There are more good people in this country than bad and thank God for that.’
Zimmerlink told those gathering, “I hope people realize you don’t just pray today – you pray everyday.’
Prayer also can be a comfort.
Uniontown Councilman Joe Giachetti said he prayed a lot when his son was in Operation Desert Storm.
Hall prayed on the stage for each speaker when they had finished and he invited Ron Bock of Lemont Furnace and a member of Free Spirit and Butch Mosako of Smithfield and a member of Choz’n 1’z to offer remarks. The men arranged for music for the gathering.
Mosako said, “Uniontown needs a good hand from Jesus.’
Bock said, “When things are down, look around. You’ll find someone worse off than you, and then you’ve got to pull him up.’
Cook followed Hall as part of a series of pastors from the Uniontown Area Clergy Association to offer prayers throughout the day at Marshall Park. The gathering was scheduled to last until 8 p.m. with free food, children’s activities, music and prayer.
Several events also were scheduled in Connellsville while First Baptist Church in Fairchance kept its sanctuary open all day and Morning Star Baptist Church in Newell hosted a service at 7 p.m.