Sen. Bellows welcomes Gardiner Reverend to Maine Senate to give prayer

Rev. Vanessa Betancourt and Sen. Shenna Bellows

AUGUSTA — Sen. Shenna Bellows, D-Manchester, welcomed Reverend Vanessa Betancourt of the Gardiner Church of the Nazarene to the State House on Jan. 24. Rev. Betancourt gave the opening prayer in the Maine Senate before the start of the day’s legislative session.

Local clergy have offered blessings and inspiration to legislators at the beginning of the day since the first days of the Maine Legislature in 1820. Once the prayers are offered, they are entered into the official Senate Record. Religious leaders who are interested in offering a prayer should contact Sen. Bellows’ office at (207) 287-1515 or shenna.bellows@legislature.maine.gov.