As about 75 community members from various walks of life gathered this morning for the Town and Tower Community Prayer Breakfast, they were representative of the theme: There is strength in diversity.
“We may differ in theology, polity or doctrine, faith practices or beliefs, but we have come together today, embracing those things that make us unique and sharing a common experience through prayer. There is strength in that,” said Maj. Leslie A. Janovec, chaplain of the 14th Flying Training Wing of the Columbus Air Force Base and guest speaker for the 11th annual community prayer breakfast.
“I think the theme of diversity that the speaker adhered to was very needful and very timely,” said Cliff Reynolds, principal of West Lowndes High School.
Today”s political climate calls for people to choose conservative or liberal, he added, but there are opportunities for both sides to learn from each other.
“Regardless of what camp a person subscribes to, there is a little of the message we can all subscribe to,” Reynolds said. “It was a message of unity, because we are all God”s children.”
Sonic Johnson, chief of public affairs for CAFB, saw Janovec”s message as a positive take on the differences of national lawmakers. Valuing diversity, those difference are actually a strength, he said.
“A lot of people like to think of Washington”s diversity as our weakness,” Johnson noted.
“I thought it was wonderful,” said Nancy Carpenter, interim director of the Columbus Convention and Visitor”s Bureau. “It is important for us to understand our diversity of circumstance and background and pull together as one. … We need to hold hands and move forward.”
According to attendees, the prayer event was motivation to do just that.
“It was a very fine gathering of people of different faiths coming together to express their love for God and what he means to our lives and society,” said Bob Ross, a retired Army veteran.
Bob Ross attended the event with his wife, Lou Ross, a retired nurse.
“I think it was great community unity we had here with the Air Force base, he community of Columbus and the clergy,” Lou Ross said. “I thought it was really nice, where we came together to pray for our community, our university and our country.”
Aside from praying for the community and government leaders, the event also served as a reminder to respect diversity and embrace it.
“I believe it boils down to respect for different opinions, different beliefs or different practices,” Janovec said. “When we respect one another, we draw strength from it. … We might have to risk sometimes, to respect differing viewpoints or practices — be it cultural, theological or political. But when we allow ourselves to do so, and when we see others for who they are, we are strengthened. There is strength in diversity. … It”s a good thing. It”s a great thing. It”s a God thing.”
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