Decorah Human Rights Commission to possibly weigh in on National Day of Prayer observance planned for Decorah

The Decorah Human Rights Commission has scheduled a community comment session for 7:00 p.m. Monday in Nansen Room of the Luther College Student Union to discuss "Christian-only messages."

The meeting comes in response to Easter greetings on the Winneshiek County Sheriff's Office's Facebook page (see separate story) and to plans to hold a National Day of Prayer observance Thursday, May 2nd, at 12:00 noon in front of the Winneshiek County Courthouse.  After those plans were announced and National Day of Prayer organizers said only Christians would be allowed to publicly lead prayers, Decorah resident Shirley Vermace questioned, "Why can't all faiths in Winneshiek County be invited to offer prayer on this National Day of Prayer?"

Winneshiek County Sheriff Dan Marx, Decorah City Administrator Chad Bird, Winneshiek  Medical Center Chief Medical Officer Dr. Robert Flinchbaugh, Calmar Mayor Keith Frana, Decorah farmer Dan Beard, decorahnews.com owner Paul Scott and two ministers--Pastor Don Holmertz from Decorah Covenant Church and Pastor Doug Bryce from the Christian Life Center are among those invited to give a prayer.  City Administrator Chad Bird stated, "I am not an organizer of the event, nor have I been involved in coordinating any aspect of the event other than my agreeing to offer a prayer."  Sheriff Dan Marx stated, "I'm praying as myself on behalf of law enforcement."  Both said they would not be representing their agencies.

Vermace says she has defended the right of people to speak at the event, so long as they don't speak as civic leaders in their roles as civic leaders.  She says she is bothered by the fact that no clergy members from local Lutheran, Catholic, Methodists or UCC churches were asked to speak.  She concludes, "It would be so uplifting and moving to see an all faith day of prayer in our area."  National Day of Prayer local organizer Steve Kelsay says he's been in contact with those churches and has invited them to what he describes as a "non-denominational, non-political event."

The Decorah Human Rights Commission could be asked Monday night to write a Letter to the Editor in support of an all faiths prayer observance.