House, Senate all about Canada today

It’s “Canada Day” at the Iowa statehouse.  The House and Senate passed resolutions declaring today “Canada Day” here (I’m sitting in the statehouse press room as I type, so that means I’m “here” where “Canada Day” is being celebrated).  The top Canadian diplomat in the Upper Midwest delivered a brief address in the senate, then in the House this morning.  Here’s the Radio Iowa story. 

Before Consul General Martin Loken spoke, the opening prayers in the Iowa House and the Senate this morning were delivered by Bishop Alan Scarfe of the Episcopal Diocese of Iowa.  He was born in Yorkshire, so he had a nice English accent. Here is the text of what he said in the Senate. 

“Many of you know that today is a special day.  It’s the second-most solemn day in the Christian tradition.  It’s Ash Wednesday and so I want to offer a prayer from Ash Wednesday which is about our dispositions and then I’m going to tack onto it prayers for your daily business.

“Almighty and everlasting God, you despise nothing that you have made. Forgive the sins of all who are penitent.  Create and make in us new and contrite hearts that we lament our sins and acknowledging our brokenness may obtain of you, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness.

“And in this light, dear God, we remember that when you speak there is light and life and when you act there is justice and love.  Grant that your love be present in this Assembly so that what we say and what we do may be filled with you and bless these representatives that we have elected.  May they solve problems effectively, embrace the well-being of our state and act together for a fairer and more united society.  Amen.”