Faith groups are beginning round-the-clock prayer vigils at the state Capitol in Harrisburg today, praying for an end to Pennsylvania's budget crisis, according to an announcement by the regional conference of United Methodist churches. Read it at the jump.
Here's the text of the announcement as it appeared in my inbox:
As Pennsylvania enters its 11th week of a statewide budget crisis, faith groups are beginning round-the-clock prayer vigils at the state Capitol in Harrisburg on Tuesday, Sept. 8.
Stephen Drachler, executive director of A United Methodist Witness in Pennsylvania, urges United Methodists - clergy and lay - to join in prayer for an end to the standoff between some legislators and Gov. Edward Rendell. The Capitol vigil will begin at noon and is hoped to continue 24-hours-a-day.
At the same time, vigils are planned at the legislative offices of members of the House-Senate conference committee that has been charged with reaching a compromise.
"It is abundantly clear the answer to this crisis must come from God," Drachler said. "Prayer works. We believe prayer moves immovable objects, and opens closed hearts. This budget crisis has become an immovable object that is hurting people all over Pennsylvania. Too many of the people involved in this have closed their hearts to the plight of innocent people across the state."
The vigils are being coordinated by an interfaith coalition, which has demanded legislators and Gov. Edward Rendell begin non-stop negotiations to end the crisis.
Because of the budget crisis, Rendell has cut off vital human services funding to hundreds of thousands of sick and elderly Pennsylvanians, and stopped providing money to the state's school and colleges.
The legislative leaders whose offices will be the site of vigils are:
Rep. Dwight Evans, Philadephia; Rep. Todd Eachus, Hazleton; Rep. Sam Smith, Punxsutawney; Sen. Dominick Pillegi, Media; Sen. Jay Costa, Pittsburgh, and Sen. Jake Corman, State College.
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