Senate Prayer Was Not by the Book, Miller Says

State Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr. chastised the pastor of a Bowie church last week for including Jesus in a prayer that opened that day's proceedings. The Rev. Mark Lehmann, senior pastor of Cornerstone Assembly of God, told The Washington Post that he was confused and disappointed by the criticism.

The Maryland House of Delegates and the state Senate open each day with a prayer. In the House, delegates take turns doing the honors. Senators invite members of the clergy from their districts to offer some words. The prayers are generally ecumenical, occasionally mentioning God but rarely mentioning Jesus. Guidelines advise those who offer the prayers to try to be sensitive to the many faiths of the elected leaders.

On March 25, Lehmann, a guest of state Sen. Douglas J.J. Peters (D-Prince George's), led senators in a lengthy prayer. He quoted King David, referenced the apostle James and expressed thanks that senators could put "trust in the hands of a changeless God" in changing times.

He concluded: "We humbly ask these things in the name of the name that is above all names, the matchless name of Jesus our savior. It is in His name that we pray."

As he left the rostrum, Miller (D-Calvert) asked that Lehman's remarks not be journalized, that is, saved for posterity. Then, sounding annoyed, he asked the secretary of the Senate, "Do we see these things ahead of time? Do we?"

Yes, they do, Lehmann said. This is the third time he has prayed in the Maryland Senate and, knowing that the issue might come up, he said, he submitted his remarks at 9:30 a.m. and stuck to his prepared text.

"I told them up front that I have to [mention Jesus]; that's how I pray," he said. "To me, to deny Jesus is to deny my faith."

Lehmann said that as he waited in the Senate lounge before going to the floor to offer the prayer, he noted a painting featuring a large cross and the words, "the founding of [Maryland]."

"To me, if there were ever a time in our state history when we needed help from above, it's now," he said.

Lehmann said he would be happy to lead the Maryland Senate in prayer again, but only if he's allowed to do so in the name of Jesus.

-- ROSALIND S. HELDERMAN

Top Ehrlich Aide Helps Slots Effort in Anne Arundel

Paul Schurick, a top aide to former governor Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. (R) who works at Ehrlich's law firm, has surfaced as an adviser to the Cordish Cos., which is seeking to build a slots parlor at Arundel Mills Mall.

In a statement last week, Cordish confirmed that it has hired Shurick and other communication specialists at the Baltimore office of Ehrlich's law firm, Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, "to help with some community relations initiatives (not lobbying or any other activities)."

The arrangement is sure to raise eyebrows among some. As governor, Ehrlich was an ardent slots booster, but he criticized as a "turkey" the slots proposal in a referendum successfully championed last year by his successor, Gov. Martin O'Malley (D).

Cordish officials said the company did not retain Ehrlich and that he is not working on the issue. Interviews with several Anne Arundel County officials suggested nothing to the contrary.

In an interview, Schurick declined to comment on his activities, saying, "We don't discuss our client relations with anyone but our clients."

But Schurick confirmed the authenticity of a March 18 e-mail obtained by The Washington Post that was sent from his Womble Carlyle account.

"We are helping the Cordish Company with its plans to develop the slots facility near Arundel Mills Mall," Schurick wrote. "Specifically, we've been asked to identify and build community support for the plan and for the zoning legislation pending before the Anne Arundel County Council."

Anne Arundel is one of five counties that would host slots sites under the O'Malley plan. Cordish is the only remaining bidder but is facing opposition from some members of the community surrounding Arundel Mills Mall.

-- JOHN WAGNER