Media Advisory

Contacts:

Until 4 pm., Monday, Sept. 7:
Stephen Drachler, Exec. Dir., A United Methodist Witness in PA
717-926-7240
sedrachler@gmail.com

After 4 p.m. Monday, Sept. 7:

Robin Robinowitz, Greater Phila. Urban Affairs Coalition
215-851-1700
267-973-1064 cell
rrobinowitz@gpuac.org
 

Budget Prayer Vigils Coming to State Capitol on Tuesday, Sept. 8;
Other Vigils Planned for Leaders’ District Offices Across PA

As Pennsylvania enters its 11th week of a statewide budget crisis, a coalition of interfaith groups will begin a prayer vigil in the Capitol in Harrisburg at noon on Tuesday, Sept. 8. The group hopes to have vigils continue daily in the Capitol until the General Assembly and Gov. Rendell resolve the budget stalemate.

Because of the budget crisis, millions of Pennsylvanians – the elderly, children, families, and the disabled – are being denied vital services. Agencies who help them have been closed.

Persons representing a number of faith groups from across Pennsylvania are expected to participate in Tuesday’s Capitol vigil.

Stephen Drachler, executive director of A United Methodist Witness in Pennsylvania, a spokesperson for the coalition, said its members believe prayer will lead to a resolution of the crisis. Pennsylvania is the only state in the nation still without a budget.

“It is abundantly clear the answer to this crisis must come from God,” Drachler said. “Prayer works. We believe prayer moves immovable objects, and opens closed hearts. This budget crisis has become an
immovable object that is hurting people all over Pennsylvania. Too many of the people involved in this have closed their hearts to the plight of innocent people across the state.”

At the same time, vigils are planned at the legislative offices of members of the House-Senate conference committee that have been charged with reaching a compromise.

The legislative leaders whose offices are expected to be at the site of the vigils are:  Rep. Dwight Evans, Philadelphia; Rep. Todd Eachus, Hazleton; Rep. Sam Smith, Punxsutawney; Sen. Dominick Pillegi, Media; Sen. Jay Costa, Pittsburgh; and Sen. Jake Corman, State College.

The Greater Philadelphia Urban Affairs Coalition (GPUAC) and its affiliate organizations initiated the effort and helped form the groups together around the issue. Go to http://www.gpuac.org/budgetsundays.htm for more information.

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