‘WISE AS SERPENTS’

REV. DR. IRENE ALLEN Pastor of Mt. Gazerine Baptist Church

A local pastor prayed for unity and peace when she delivered the Invocation at the April 21st meeting of Blackstone Town Council.

It was the first Council meeting since the Mayor resigned after a sexual harassment complaint, and Rev. Dr. Irene Allen asked that God “continue to lead these Blackstone Town Council members in their duty and privilege of behaving as creatures made in your image.”

It was also the first regular meeting since unpleasantries of March 17th, when Council voted 4-3 to keep Councilman Nathaniel Miller on the Town’s Employment Committee, which Miller chairs.

“I pray tonight,” Rev. Allen continued, “that old hostilities will not impede the governing assignments you have given them to complete in your name. Let them move forward in faith, that they may be of SERVICE to your people.”

Referring to a passage in the book of Matthew, Dr. Allen declared, “Help this group of leaders to be wise as serpents, but harmless as doves. I pray that this council will recognize the importance of unity, wisdom and duty for the sake of the residents who rely on their good judgment and proper attitude. Let these council members and town residents have the courage to avoid sin and walk daily in the good ways indicated in your words through Jesus Christ, our Lord, we pray. Amen.”