Hands, spirits lifted at breakfast

Published 12:00 am Wednesday, August 8, 2001

AMY SZPARA

PHOTO: Community dignitaries lift their hands in prayer, led by the Rev. Neil Bernard, at a prayer breakfast held Tuesday at East St. John High School. (Staff Photo by Amy Szpara) RESERVE – The East St. John High School Cafeteria was filled with members of the St. John the Baptist Parish School system, council members and administrative figures, industry leaders, representatives from the sheriff’s office and area ministers. All gathered to share breakfast and pray for the parish public schools, the crowd ate Tuesday morning as different pastors lifted up prayer for the children who will be returning to school this month. St. John Superintendent of Schools Michael K. Coburn held the prayer breakfast for around 100 attendees to not only get together in fellowship, but to give area pastors a chance to pray for the St. John School system as a group. Coburn’s new motto for St. John is “Making a Difference Through Accountability, Assessment and Achievement.” The message was displayed on signs in the cafeteria, and they set the tone for the morning. He said he has ensured his staff the students in the parish will receive “the best education they possibly can.” Beginning at 7:30 a.m., Coburn welcomed the crowd, then the Rev. Neil Bernard of New Wine Christian Fellowship gave grace before breakfast was served. Prayers were given by the Rev. Ferrell Bering of Bethlehem Baptist Church, the Rev. Joseph Rodney of Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, the Rev. Danny Taylor of First Baptist Church of LaPlace and Bernard. “I have very much a vested interest in this,” said Taylor, who has a child entering high school this year. He said he prays for Coburn each morning, and he will also be praying for Debra Schum, principal at East St. John High School, where his daughter will be attending. “I don’t know about all of you,” Coburn said at the end of the breakfast, “but I certainly feel blessed this morning.” Coburn also thanked the members of the breakfast planning committee. He named Terry Charles, food service director, stating that she really pulled the event together. Coburn said he may hold another prayer breakfast in January, since the morning was such a success. Of 100 invitations sent out, only about six invitees did not attend. “This is part of our community. Ten or 12 years ago one of our superintendents had a prayer breakfast, and we haven’t had one since then. It was time for another one,” said Coburn. “I’m a Christian first. “God is first, then my family, then my job is third. I felt I really needed to give God thanks for giving me this opportunity.” Coburn added that there are very few times when the dignitaries of the community come together, and Tuesday morning gave them a chance to pray for one another. “It was a great opportunity to ask the Lord for guidance. We had a very good turnout,” he said.