Whether you know it or not, today is National Day of Prayer, instituted in 1952 by a joint resolution of Congress and then President Harry S. Truman.  Held each year, and this is the 36th, is the Rochester Area Prayer Breakfast.  Today, it was celebrated in glorious form by nearly 900 people who heard the gospel, listened to choir music, and were inspired by the words of Reverend Faith Fowler, Executive Director of Cass Community Social Services (CCSS) in Detroit.  

I have emphasized the word, WORDS, because that was the focus of Reverend Fowler’s message; how we use words in our everyday interactions.  I did not come to the conclusion that she was saying our choice of words should be those that might be defined as “politically correct”, but rather to recognize the power of the words we choose and to think about how they will impact the listener(s).  And I could never do justice to the way that Reverend Fowler conveyed that message today, but I can use the following powerful video in the same way she did this morning.  I think this video speaks volumes about what we say and how it is received.  Many blessings to all who are reading this blog today.

Tom Tanghe, City Manager