National Day of Prayer Celebration: May 5

The public is invited to participate in the annual National Day of Prayer celebration, Thursday, May 5, from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., sponsored by the Interfaith Roundtable of Kauai.  The event will take place at the County of Kauai Moikeha Building Rotunda, 4444 Rice Street in the Lihue Civic Center (the round building at the intersection of Rice Street and Kuhio Highway).

The program features musical performances by the Sacred Earth Choir, as well as prayer offerings from representatives of a diversity of religions and spiritual traditions.  Mayor Bernard Carvalho, Jr., as well as Joanne Yukimura, Office of the County Council, are expected to attend.

Admission is free.

The Interfaith Roundtable of Kauai (IROK) includes representatives of Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Bahai, Brahma Kumaris, Eckankar, Happy Science, Center for Spiritual Living, Fellowship of the Inner Light, Christian Mysticism, New Thought/Unity, Yoga, among others, and welcomes all religions, spiritual paths and spiritual education organizations.

The National Day of Prayer has deep historical roots in this country, having been declared in 1775 by the Continental Congress in forming a new nation.  It was later recognized by first President George Washington in 1789.  In 1952, the Congress passed a bill proclaiming National Day of Prayer.  And on May 5, 1988, President Reagan signed into law official recognition of the first Thursday in May annually as the National Day of Prayer.

Founded in 2005, the Interfaith Roundtable is celebrating its 11th anniversary this year.  IROK meets monthly, normally on the last Friday at 12 noon at Lihue Hongwanji Temple, 3-3530 Kuhio Highway, Lihue.  For more information go to www.InterfaithRoundtableofKauai.org, or email interfaithroundtableofkauai@yahoo.com

If anyone requires an auxiliary aid, such as a sign language specialist, to assist them in taking part in the service, please contact Jeffrey Pears at 634-9992 or interfaithroundtableofkauai@yahoo.com.

Immediately following the Interfaith Roundtable ceremony, a second service celebrating the National Day of Prayer, sponsored by the Kauai Island Ministries, will begin at 10:30 a.m. and run to 12:30 p.m. at the same location.