Mr. Craig Coolahan - MLA for Calgary-Klein

Dear Lord, we thank You for MLA, Mr. Craig Coolahan as he serves the people of Calgary – Klein.  We pray that You would bless him for the many hours of service and the care he has shown towards the people of this community.  May he experience wisdom as he carries out his role on the standing committee on the Alberta’s Economic Future, and receive strategies that will build a more stable economy in our province.  Bless him, his wife Sarah and their children Mehna and Kieran.  Amen.

Craig Coolahan was elected as the Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta for Calgary-Klein on May 5, 2015.

He currently serves as chair of the Standing committee on Alberta's Economic Future and as a member of the Standing Committee on Privileges and Elections, Standing Orders and Printing.

Prior to his election Mr. Coolahan was employed as a business representative with the United Utility Workers' Association, where he managed the administration of several contracts and represented hundreds of workers in the electricity transmission industry.

Mr. Coolahan holds degrees in English and in journalism and worked in various writing and editing capacities for nearly 15 years, including six as a technical writer for a Calgary-based utility company.

He and his wife, Sarah, have two children, Mehna and Kieran.

Mr. Michael Connolly - MLA for Calgary-Hawkwood

Heavenly Father, we thank you for MLA Michael Connolly, Calgary-Hawkwood.   Lord, please surround this young man with wise counsel so that righteousness sown today will yield a fruitful harvest for our province’s future.  We pray for purposeful opportunities for Michael to involve himself in areas which will benefit the youth of our province in future years.  Give him a voice which can be heard and we pray his passion for social justice would be in agreement with God’ s heart for his region and the future of his generation and future generations in the province of AB.  In Jesus’ name,  Amen

Michael Connolly was elected as the Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta for Calgary-Hawkwood on May 5, 2015.

He currently serves as a Member of the Standing Committee on Legislative Offices and the Standing Committee on Private Bills.

Mr. Connolly attended the University of Ottawa to study history and political science in the French immersion program focusing on European integration, Euroscepticism, and Scottish politics and nationalism. He gained valuable experience while completing an internship with an office of a Member of Parliament. During this time he helped to organize a forum for young women leaders from all over Canada.

Previously, Mr. Connolly also worked in the retail and hospitality industries.

Mr. Greg Clark - MLA for Calgary-Elbow

Heavenly Father we thank you for MLA Greg Clark, Calgary-Elbow.  We thank you, Lord, for his concern for Alberta’s future and ask, Father, that you would give him favour and wisdom as he seeks to fulfill his goals for our province.   Give him the encouragement he needs to pursue the goals he pursues for the good of all Albertans now and into the future. Thank you, Lord, that he is a man of integrity and guide him in his endeavours to always stand up for what is right.  Bless his family, Lord, and help them to maintain good health and endurance.  In Jesus’ name,  Amen.

Greg Clark was elected as the Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta for Calgary-Elbow on May 5, 2015.

He currently serves on the Standing Committee for Resource Stewardship and is a member of the Select Special Ethics and Accountability Committee.

Prior to his election, Mr. Clark taught business management at the University of Calgary. He also worked as a consultant and project manager in the IT industry for over 10 years.

In 2006, along with two partners, Mr. Clark co-founded the technology consulting firm C3 Associates. The firm earned a distinction as one of Alberta Venture's 50 fast growth companies in 2011 and 2012. C3 Associates was also named one of Canada's top 250 information technology companies by the Branham Group in 2012 and 2013. In 2015, Mr. Clark was named one Alberta's 50 Most Influential by Alberta Venture Magazine.

Mr. Clark's community involvement is extensive. His contributions include being co-chair of the parent council at his children's school, coach of his daughter's soccer team, a volunteer with Calgary Reads to promote literacy and vice-chair of the Distress Centre in Calgary. Following the 2013 flooding in southern Alberta he co-founded the Calgary River Communities Action Group.

Mr. Clark holds an MBA with a specialization in knowledge management from Royal Roads University and a bachelor of arts in political science and sociology from the University of Victoria.

He and his wife, Jessica, have two young children.

Honourable Joe Ceci - MLA for Calgary-Fort

Heavenly Father, we thank you for MLA, the Hon. Joe Ceci, Calgary-Fort.   We ask you,  Lord, to

provide Mr. Ceci with wise and godly counselors to help him reach his full potential.  Please grant him with the wisdom he needs to fulfill his goals for our province and give him strength to stand up for what is right in his position as Minister of Finance and President of the Treasury Board.  Grant him the time to pursue meaningful relationships with his family which will bring stability at home and at work.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

President of Treasury Board and Minister of Finance

Joe Ceci was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta, representing the constituency of Calgary-Fort, on May 5, 2015. He was appointed to serve as President of Treasury Board and Minister of Finance on May 24, 2015.

Prior to serving with the Legislative Assembly, Mr. Ceci worked as a public policy manager with a community-based charitable organization in Calgary. Previous to this, he served as a city of Calgary alderman for 15 years. From 1988 to 1995 he worked as a community social worker with the city of Calgary, and from 1981 to 1987 he provided family counselling services for a number of organizations.

Mr. Ceci’s extensive community involvement has spanned more than 30 years and has included chairing the board of directors for the Folk Festival Society of Calgary and serving as a board member for both Habitat for Humanity and Calgary Bridge Foundation for Youth.

Recognition for his community service includes a lifetime achievement award for advocacy from the Family and Community Support Services Association, a Queen’s Diamond Jubilee medal, an Alberta centennial medal and nomination for a leadership award from the Alberta College of Social Workers.

He holds a bachelor of social work from the University of Western Ontario and a master of social work from the University of Calgary.

Among Mr. Ceci’s many accomplishments is a published work entitled Breaking the Cycle, which ran in Alberta Views magazine.

He and his wife, Christine, call Calgary home.

Mr. Jon Carson - MLA for Edmonton-Meadowlark

Heavenly Father we pray for MLA Jonathan Carson today, that You would guide and keep him in Your peace.   We pray that he would find all the time that he needs today to do that which is required of him as he serves the people of Edmonton-Meadowlark.  We pray that he would be a man of compassion and integrity a leader in Alberta for the good of all Albertans.   Bless him and his family with quality and fun times.  In Jesus Name, Amen.  

Jon Carson was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta, representing the constituency of Edmonton-Meadowlark, on May 5, 2015.

He currently serves on the Standing Committee on Alberta's Economic Future and the Standing Committee on Privileges and Elections, Standing Orders and Printing.

He attended post-secondary studies at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology, first attaining a diploma in radio and television broadcasting, then later returning for an electrical apprenticeship.

Prior to his election Mr. Carson was employed as an electrician.

Transitions and the Power of Prayer

Courtesy of our friends at 'Nation At Prayer' People woke up Tuesday morning to another new day - and a nation in transition.  A new Prime Minister had been elected; the Third Party has become the party in power; the Official Opposition has become the Third Party; the party in power has become the Official Opposition; the Green Party lost a member; the Bloc increased from 4 to 10; and the sitting Prime Minister resigned as Party Leader.      1,792 candidates ran for office, 1,454 unsuccessfully, including 106 incumbent MPs; 338 were elected, of which 197 are new to Ottawa.     Transition does not only impact the party standings; it impacts the life of every candidate and his/her family. Every candidate is in process of closing their campaign offices; in addition, defeated incumbents may be moving from accommodation in Ottawa while dealing with the sting of defeat and contemplating their life after politics; successful candidates are looking for new constituency offices and waiting to be assigned their Ottawa offices, while making living arrangements in their 'home away from home'.    Those returning to Ottawa are going through transition - to new roles in Parliament, new seating arrangements (in many cases on the opposite side of the House), and unfamiliar colleagues. Many of them are experiencing varying emotions as they adjust to the reality that some of their colleagues are not returning, even as they adjust to new personalities and changed balances of power. Families are preparing for the long absences from home that accompany elected office; some are weighing the relative merits of moving to Ottawa where they can be together throughout the week while maintaining a presence in the constituency. For those of us who know and trust the transforming power of prayer, this transition is much more than a time of change; it is the time to invite the unequalled and extraordinary power of the Holy Spirit to infuse the hearts and minds of those who now govern our nation, so that God's purposes for Canada will be served.  Whatever our thoughts and feelings about the outcome of the election, we have the great privilege and even greater responsibility, as the apostle Paul instructs, to give priority to praying for all who govern.  What confidence is ours that God can be fully trusted; that He is at work in ways beyond our knowing, for our good and the good of the nation; that He can use every elected representative for His purposes; and that there is nothing in all creation that He cannot transform or beyond which He is not more powerful!

WHAT TO PRAY FOR... THE PRIME MINISTER-DESIGNATE: Wisdom and discernment as he assumes the role and in appointing the Cabinet Capacity to understand complex issues Energy and endurance Adaptability in responding to rapidly changing circumstances and events Protection for him and his family ALL MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT: Wisdom as they assume their new responsibilities God's grace to use their position wisely with integrity and strength of character The power of the Holy Spirit to overcome any sense of entitlement  Their families, as they make the adjustment to new realities Guidance in finding suitable accommodation and office space Courage to do what is right and grace in doing it THOSE DEFEATED, PARTICULARLY INCUMBENTS:  Pray that the Holy Spirit will: Remove any residual bitterness, depression, or sense of personal rejection Guide them into new occupations with a renewed sense of call and fulfillment Guide their families in making any adjustments All now need refreshment from the gruelling schedule of a 78-day campaign, and God's grace to return to a more normalized life. Above all and for all, may this time of transition be a time of transformation when the Holy Spirit awakens or deepens relationships with the living God, the source of transformation. Because we pray, their lives - and our nation - will be impacted and transformed.

Honourable Oneil Carlier - MLA for Whitecourt-Ste. Anne

Heavenly Father, we come in the Name of Jesus, to pray for Honourable Oneil Carlier.   We thank You, God, for Mr. Carlier and the position that he is in, we pray that he will be  strong and purposeful in all the decision that he will be making today that they will benefit all Albertans, concerning our rich resources.  We pray that he would have people around him that would give him wise council and help for those projects he finds himself facing.   Bless Mr. Carlier and his family today with health and peace.  Amen. 

Minister of Agriculture and Forestry

Oneil Carlier was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta, representing the constituency of Whitecourt-Ste. Anne, on May 5, 2015. On May 24, 2015 he was appointed as Minister of Agriculture and Forestry.

Prior to his service with the Legislative Assembly he worked for 13 years as a regional representative of the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) and devoted 20 years to Agriculture Canada as a geotechnical technician. In addition, Mr. Carlier served as a board member for the Saskatchewan Housing Authorities from 1996 to 1999.

Other community involvement for Mr. Carlier includes close to a decade of volunteering as a Scout leader with Scouts Canada.

Mr. Carlier attended the Labour College of Canada, receiving his certificate in 1997.

Born and raised in Val Marie, Saskatchewan, he has called Alberta home for over a decade and has lived in Whitecourt-Ste. Anne with his wife, Michèle, since 2010.