Before each Gainesville City Council meeting, elected officials and members of the public bow in prayer.

That's not changing for now.

But after an advisement from the state Attorney General's office about inclusiveness in invocations, the City Council is looking at whether to change how it asks residents to lead prayers at public meetings.

The discussion occurred at the City Council work session on Thursday, where City Clerk Denise Jordan told the council that city officials have been advised to "be careful to offer an opportunity to all religious organizations who want to be part of that process."

The advisement was delivered during a Mayor's Day Conference held by the Georgia Municipal Association, Jordan said.

There was also a recommendation that City Council members not lead the prayer, she said.

City Council member George Wangemann has delivered the invocation at meetings when no other clergy member was available.

Councilwoman Myrtle Figueras said lately City Council members have been alternately charged with finding someone in the community to deliver the invocation. When council members "got lazy" and didn't find a local pastor, they asked Wangemann to pray instead, Figueras said.

"I don't mind doing that," said Wangemann.

At first, council members were hesitant to make any changes.

Each member reaffirmed a dedication to uphold the tradition.

"I say let's just keep doing what we're doing until we get in trouble," City Councilwoman Ruth Bruner said under her breath.

But after additional discussion, Jordan suggested one fix could be to put an advisement on the city's website or local government station TV 18 asking for invocation volunteers.

That idea won the council's favor, but with some reservations that "sect" leaders could come forward requesting to participate.

Mayor Danny Dunagan said he'd prefer to limit invocation delivery to clergy.

Still, council members agreed the strategy to extend the invitation over TV and the Web could address inclusiveness concerns and bring more people to pray.

The frank discussion highlighted some thorny issues that arise when balancing religious sensitivity in a public setting.

Figueras said, "The idea is we are religious no matter what we say about it."

Bruner added, "The idea is that it is a public entity and you can't rule (people) out just because you don't want them to come."

"I just hope this is not the beginning of the end of invocations at public meetings," Wangemann said.

Aaron Hale covers government issues for The Times. Share your thoughts, news tips and questions with him:
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