Last Day for Special Midwinter Hotel Rate

CHICAGO, IL (January 14, 2014) — This is the last day to register for a discounted hotel rate at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare hotel, where the Midwinter Conference will be held January 27-31.

Attendees can still make hotel reservations at the regular rate after today based on availability. Regular registration for the conference also still is available.

For more information, click here.

Asimakoupoulos Gives Opening Prayer at Legislative Session

MERCER ISLAND, WA (January 14, 2014) — Greg Asimakoupoulos, chaplain at Covenant Shores Retirement Community, gave the opening prayer at the new state legislative session in Olympia on Monday.

Representative Judy Clibborn, a Mercer Island resident, extended the invitation. In light of the Seattle Seahawks Super Bowl dreams, Asimakoupoulos employed references to the Hawks in his prayer.

Gracious Creator,

For the chance to play another day, we give you thanks.

For the emotions that energize us with Super Bowl dreams, we are grateful. Thank you, God, for fresh starts and new beginnings.

Thank you, Father, for a new day.

 

As this new legislative session dawns,

enlighten these who hear my voice

with brilliant ideas that will dispel

the shadows of doubt that darken the optimism

of those who have grown cynical of the political process.

 

Lift the low-lying fog of familiarity

that prevents these lawmakers

from seeing new possibilities.

 

Where limited visibility

clouds their view of cooperation and compromise,

penetrate the overcast.

 

You who once declared “Let there be light!”

fill us with the light of day

as we seek to reflect the Son of Righteousness

empowered by energy

that is found in humility, honesty,

forgiveness and trust.

 

For our governor, the speaker and each representative,

we ask your blessing, gracious God.

May the 12th Man loyalty that unifies our state characterize the teamwork of these

who scrimmage daily toward a common goal. Amen.