Presenters at the 2012 Nevada Prayer Breakfast. PHOTO: Stephan Fuelling
RENO, Nev., April 24—Leaders of various religions and denominations participated and read prayers for the good of the state at the annual Nevada Prayer Breakfast held in Reno today, where the welcome address was read by Nevada governor Brian Sandoval.
Rt. Rev. Sean Savoy, MC of the 2012 Nevada Prayer Breakfast. PHOTO: Stephan Fuelling
Sandoval said that prayer was important and added that Nevada had pulled through various tragedies with the help of faith and prayer.
Governor Brian Sandoval speaking at the 2012 Nevada Prayer Breakfast. PHOTO: Stephan Fuelling
Mary Cooper accepting posthumousVisions Award on behalf of her late husband, Onie Cooper. PHOTO: Stephan Fuelling
Organized by the Nevada Clergy Association with the theme “A Future Together,” the event also gave Vision Awards to Reno area religious leader and civil rights activist the Reverend Onie Cooper posthumously and retired priest of Saint Anthony Greek Orthodox Church Father George Bratiotis.
Father George Bratiotis, recipient of a 2012 Vision Award. PHOTO: Stephan Fuelling
Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, President of Universal Society of Hinduism, speaking on the occasion, stressed the need of taking religion seriously as it was the most powerful and pervasive social force. A more inclusive and broader understanding of religion was needed, he said, and added that dialogue would bring us mutual enrichment because we are all headed in the same direction.
Rajan Zed speaking at the 2012 Nevada Prayer Breakfast. PHOTO: Stephan Fuelling
Other speakers at this interfaith event held at the Atlantis Casino Resort and Spa included Gene Savoy Jr., President of Nevada Clergy Association; Charles T. Durante, Pastor of Saint Teresa of Avila Catholic Community in Carson City; Stefani Schatz, Rector of Trinity Episcopal Church; Sean Savoy, Chancellor of International Community of Christ; Myra Soifer, Rabbi Emerita of Temple Sinai; Rafik Beekun, Board Member of Northern Nevada Muslim Community; Maria Sheehan, President of Truckee Meadows Community College; Nicholas F. Frey, area public affairs director of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; Jikai’ Phil Bryan, Priest of Reno Buddhist Center; Neal T. Anderson, Minister at Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Northern Nevada; William C. Webb, Pastor Emeritus of Second Baptist Church; Meredith Cahn, Rabbi of North Tahoe Hebrew Congregation; Sister Patty Riley of St. Mary’s Hospice; and Evon Yakar, Rabbi of Temple Bat Yam of South Lake Tahoe.
Rt Rev Gene Savoy Jr addressing the gathering at the 2012 Nevada Prayer Breakfast PHOTO Stephan Fuelling
Shepherd’s Bells, directed by Toni de Salvo; and Orfeo Men’s Choir, directed by Jennifer Tibben; presented musical numbers.
Shepherd's Bells performing at 2012 Nevada Prayer Breakfast PHOTO Stephan Fuelling
Nevada Prayer Breakfast is a gathering of citizens—as well as civic, business, and community leaders—who wish to pray on behalf of the State and bring the spiritual resources of the community together to bear on issues that face Nevadans.
PHOTO Stephan Fuelling
From the online article written by Stephen Child posted at upiu.com.