Friday, May 5, 2017

National Day of Prayer at Boston State House in the Great Hall

National Day of Prayer was observed in the Massachusetts     State House May 4th at noon

 

  Emcee was Rev. David Hill
 Rep. de Macedo



 Teen Challenge Men's choir
 Sister Hien Vu. Boston College
 Rev. Arlene Hall, Deliverance Temple Worship Center
 Praying for Racial Reconciliation with Rev. Chuck Wilmer, Jubilee Family Outreach
 Praying beyond these walls, north, south east and west.
 A flag for each town in the Commonwealth...351
Pastor Paul Jehle gave a historical account of the town of Ipswich, birthplace of American Independence in 1689 when Governor Andros jailed a pastor who protested taxation without representation. Cotton Mather wrote about it and his words were echoed in our Declaration of Independence. Rev. Jehle of Plymouth gave one of his informative tours after the prayer time concluded. 

Representative Keilo Orrall sponsored the event along with Rep. Vinny de Macedo and Sen. Linda Forry

There was a luncheon following at Park Street Church. 

                                       Beacon Hill

We walked though a few streets on Beacon Hill just steps from the State House looking for a home for Ladybug Tours, a walking tour of Beacon Hill and the State House based upon Rev. Doctor Jehle's research which deserves replication. I've overheard too many tour guides making stuff up.
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 Playground
 Plumber's salvage in window

Louisburg Square where the rich and famous live, sometimes.

                                          The  Potshards of Job     ...Ps 79

I've gone in to the Statehouse to pray, to observe and write as a columnist, and to participate in the process of sausage making, as they refer to crafting legislation. Yes we are supposed to have a voice and we are invited to Public Hearings on the many bills that could become laws and effect our lives such as gay marriage, assisted suicide or abortion rights for your pre-teen, should the school want to guide her through abortion without even telling you. Transgender rest rooms; forcing your daughter or son to share their locker room with someone who merely feels like a certain gender that day. So now the confused rule and those who are not must not complain or they could suffer fines and jail time.

Massachusetts has a very poor rating in transparency. Most people don't have the time or energy to keep up with their legislator's shenanigans on Bacon Hill. Did you know that they just voted themselves a 40% pay raise making them the highest paid state reps and senators in the nation? How does that compare with your pay raises? And the Urban Institute rated all 50 states a pension report card and one state got an F...guess who...Massachusetts! This is seen by many as a "Ticking Time bomb" of public employee benefits.

The public sector makes sure they are first at the trough. Teachers Unions fight for Common Core which parents don't want because it will downgrade our students with a one size fits all curriculum sold to us for profit. Follow the money. 

                                                                                                      Free Sailing in Boston Harbor!






But there is good news in Boston too! Look what was offered in Boston Harbor for free by the Boston Sailing Center. We took the opportunity to enjoy the 100th Day of the new administration on April 29th. Thanks to our volunteer Skipper Morrell and ships mate Sarah.( I will upload video on my Youtube account)



On the rose Kennedy Green Way there is labyrinth for contemplation; some kids with balloon hats were enjoying the day.
While bikers take their chances on the dangerous streets of Boston we enjoyed an outdoor cafe called The Living Room which has a view of the Customs Tower across from Christopher Columbus Park.

I learned from Pastor Galina that Boston was nicknamed "Beantown" because about a hundred years ago many ate beans on Shabbat (the day of rest which in those days Christians and Jews both observed) They could cook the beans the day before in an earthen pot, leave them in the oven and they would still be warm the next day. Shabbat starts at sundown on Friday. Shabbat Shalom!