Ayrshire Councillor Hugh calls for prayer meetings

Jul 18 2008 by Stuart Wilson

PRAYER meetings are set to be introduced for councillors in South Ayrshire.

Leader Hugh Hunter, pictured right, has proposed monthly gatherings to pray for the work of the council.And they could even roll in ministers, priests and rabbis to lead elected members in moments of reflection.The council want to follow the example of Holyrood and Westminster by praying before meetings.Mr Hunter insisted: “For those that want to, praying for the work of the council can only be a good thing.“As councillors we have responsibilities to the public and we must take those seriously.“At Westminster they start with prayers and Holyrood open with what’s called a time of reflection.“We’re just at the talking stage at the moment but this is something we’re definitely looking at.”Councillors are being asked to come forward and declare an interest if they support the prayer proposal. But the public could also be canvassed for their opinion in the debate.Mr Hunter revealed: “The council meets to serve the public so we could potentially sound them out on this move.“If we introduced a short time of reflection before meetings, it would be similar to a thought for the day with ministers, priests and rabbis representing all faiths, probably on a rota basis.“It was suggested to me some time ago that there might be the interest for this, now we need to see if that’s the case.”pictured right, has proposed monthly gatherings to pray for the work of the council.

And they could even roll in ministers, priests and rabbis to lead elected members in moments of reflection.

The council want to follow the example of Holyrood and Westminster by praying before meetings.

Mr Hunter insisted: “For those that want to, praying for the work of the council can only be a good thing.

“As councillors we have responsibilities to the public and we must take those seriously.

“At Westminster they start with prayers and Holyrood open with what’s called a time of reflection.

“We’re just at the talking stage at the moment but this is something we’re definitely looking at.”

Councillors are being asked to come forward and declare an interest if they support the prayer proposal. But the public could also be canvassed for their opinion in the debate.

Mr Hunter revealed: “The council meets to serve the public so we could potentially sound them out on this move.

“If we introduced a short time of reflection before meetings, it would be similar to a thought for the day with ministers, priests and rabbis representing all faiths, probably on a rota basis.

“It was suggested to me some time ago that there might be the interest for this, now we need to see if that’s the case.”