CHARLEVOIX — Although the jurisdiction of the Northwest Michigan Department of Health is health care, at the last board of health meeting on October 3, a number of citizens spoke out on the issue of health care. pray.
Earlier this year, as newly elected and re-elected board members took office — made up of two commissioners selected by their peers from Antrim, Charlevoix, Emmet and Otsego counties — a “summoning” point at the agenda was created, adding a specific time of prayer. at the start of each board of health meeting.
Since that inception, the designated religious recognition has generated very vocal public opinion, according to Board of Health Chairman and Charlevoix County Commissioner Scott Hankins, who says many people have contacted him over the past few months to this effect. subject.
![At the Northwest Michigan Department of Health Board of Health meeting on October 3, several citizens gave their opinions on the time for public prayer each month.](https://www.petoskeynews.com/gcdn/authoring/authoring-images/2023/10/04/NPNR/71060845007-pray-2558490-1280.jpg?width=660&height=440&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Until last month, the invocation was decidedly Christian in nature, with a volunteer commissioner asking for guidance and blessings. However, at the September 18 board meeting, in response to public pressure, Hankins held this invocation as a “moment of silence” that individuals of all religious faiths can use as they wish.
At the Oct. 3 board meeting, Antrim County Vice Chairman and Commissioner Jarris Rubingh, who was in charge in Hankins’ absence, led the invocation once again in a manner Christian.
A total of seven citizens took the podium to speak during public comments at the Oct. 3 meeting. None of them spoke about health issues, all commented on their opinion on the council’s public prayer.
The Rev. Ryan Donahoe, of the Petoskey Presbyterian Church and president of the Northern Michigan Interfaith Common Ground, was the first to comment.
“I come again to politely ask that, instead of offering a Christian prayer to open your meeting, to perhaps take a moment of silence to respect people of all faiths in our community,” Donahoe told members of the board of directors.
He then invited all those present “since you have prayed for our Christian prayer” to hear a prayer from our “Sikh brothers and sisters”. Sikhism is classified as an Indian religion or Dharmic religion along with Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism, according to Wikipedia.
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Larry Correll of Gaylord was next to speak. He commented that the United States is “predominantly Christian” and encouraged the board to pursue Christian invocation.
“We have been a country of “we the people.” When we look at our history, it has been overwhelmingly Christian,” Correll said.
He cited the Declaration of Independence’s “three references to God” and the justice system’s use of “so help me, God” promises. Larry’s wife, Amy Correll, also spoke in favor of the Christian-oriented prayer time.
Stephanie Jacobson of Otsego County also called for continued Christian invocation, citing a University of Houston study in which the Bible was the most referenced book in the creation of government documents.
Luann McKinney of Milton Township, Antrim County, spoke in favor of a more generic moment of silence, saying, “God has many names…you can have a moment of silence where everyone can honor who he wants. »
At the time of publication, no changes have been made to the Board of Health invocation process. Hankins added that “no one is obligated to pray” at the start of board of health meetings.
Joshua Chamberlain, a Charlevoix County commissioner and board member, says he doesn’t understand why the board’s time is taken up with religious discussions.
“We’re supposed to be talking about health care and we’re sitting here talking about religion,” Chamberlain said.
Asked about the relevance of the meeting’s prayer, Rubingh – the board member who first offered the invocation – said: “There are some people who are dealing with very big problems that the Department of Health is trying to to resolve, such as drug addiction and abuse. …it seems like asking God to help us try to help these people is a great place to start. »
Otsego County Commissioners Henry Mason and Jonathan Turnbull could not be reached for comment prior to publication.
— Contact journalist Annie Doyle at (231) 675-0099 or adoyle@charlevoixcourier.com.