Religious activities in Capitol a daily occurrence during session

[rug]

Terence Corrigan, Independent Record

Pastor Matthew Trewhella delivers the fifth annual Election Sermon in the Rotunda of the Montana Capitol Sunday, Jan. 4. To his left is Steve Wagner, with the Covenant Community Church of Whitehall, who selected Trewhella to deliver the sermon.

January 11, 2015 6:00 am • ALEXANDER DEEDY Independent Record

A sermon delivered at the Capitol by an outspoken pastor on the Sunday before Montana’s 2015 Legislature convened stirred controversy, but it is far from the only religious activity in the Capitol during the legislative session.

Representatives take turns offering an invocation at the start of session each day in the House. In the Senate, a dedicated chaplain offers a prayer every day after the session is convened and before the Pledge of Allegiance.

The Senate President appoints the chaplain, and for six sessions Pastor Keith Johnson of Life Covenant Church in Helena has held that position. Father Jerry Lowney, a priest with the Diocese of Helena, has also recently held the position.

Johnson’s character and his availability to elected officials and Capitol workers was praised by numerous sources.

http://helenair.com/news/local/religious-activities-in-capitol-a-daily-occurrence-during-session/article_e88a9ad4-848a-5060-8714-c0aa756f2680.html

[Fumesucker]

1. The spiritual burden of wealth and power must eventually become overwhelming

No wonder so many of our politicians are such devout people.

[LiberalAndProud]

2. I'm curious about the controversial sermon.

I am imagining an ultra-conservative Pat Robertson protege, and wondering why such a thing should be allowed. As for paying the chaplain, it seems like he's doing the job he's been hired to do even if, in the strictest sense of the law, you're not supposed to use state funds for these things.

Gotta go along to get along, right?