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C.S. Lewis Institute Initiates 'Pray for the City' Tuesdays
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- As the downtown continues its sustained rebound, a faith-based organization in the central business district is making an effort to inspire a spiritual awakening to parallel the economic rebirth.
Beginning April 8, and every Tuesday thereafter from noon until 1 p.m., the main chapel at the Trinity United Methodist Church downtown will be open to those who want to profess their faith and pray – for the city, its political and civic leaders, and for residents and families within the community.
The C.S. Lewis Institute Northeast Ohio is organizing the program, “Pray for the City,” says area director Bruce Beard.
"It's a lunchtime prayer event that will be led by different members of different churches," Beard says. "It's an opportunity for people to meet at noon and pray, to take time and listen, or to meditate."
The city director of the organization, Dan Osborn, relates that as the downtown continues its rebound economically and aesthetically, the remaining element to be addressed is the spiritual component. "It's another idea on how to better Youngstown," he says.
More important, the objective is to "develop a habit of prayer in the community," Osborn notes.
Such habits help to build the self-esteem of the entire city, observes Beth Valantine, the fellow program coordinator of the institute. "A lot of the country think that Youngstown is one of the worst places to live," she alleges. "I've lived here all my life and I love it. I think we can bring about change through prayer."
Beard observes that building a successful city is predicated on strong faith, which brings with it a sense of security among its residents. "You want to feel safe, to have a sense of community and spirituality," he says.
Major urban areas such as New York City and London are experiencing a religious revival, coupled with a rebound in their respective economies, he reports.
Each week, pastors from churches within the city will take turns leading the service at Trinity Methodist, Beard says. The services are expected to continue indefinitely. "I think it’s a cornerstone," he states.
Pray for the City is just one of the initiatives undertaken by the C.S. Lewis Foundation to reconnect the city with its spiritual foundation, Beard relates. The organization, based in Washington, D.C., has 10 chapters, which include New York, London, Chicago, Cincinnati and Seattle.
The Youngstown office was established about a year ago. The office has proved an ideal location because Youngstown is halfway between the larger metropolitan regions of Cleveland and Pittsburgh.
Just last month, the institute moved into newly remodeled offices on the fourth floor of Trinity Methodist Church.
One goal is to train young professionals -- usually people between the ages of 25 and 35 -- on how to become good disciples of their faith through its fellows program. "It's a one-year program on spiritual discipline and leadership skills, so they can continue with their work. The objective is to make disciples, not Christians," he emphasizes.
The regional chapter of the C.S. Lewis Institute, named for the English writer best known for his Chronicles of Narnia books, has also sponsored a community lecture series, Beard notes.
One of the best-attended events was held March 21. It featured dual monologues, one held at the Butler North with Andy Bannister, research fellow at the Centre for the Study of Islam and Other Faiths at the Melbourne School of Theology, the other by Mustansir Mir, professor of Islamic studies at Youngstown State University.
Bannister presented a Christian response to the questions, "Are we free? And does it matter?" while Mir presented the perspective from Islam.
The event attracted several hundred people, demonstrating that there is a deep interest in faith-based issues within the community, Beard says. "But don't give a sermon," he advises. "Have a debate."
There are also other efforts to infuse more of the arts into the institute. "People are hungry for Christian themes and we want to make it a part of what we do."
Copyright 2014 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
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