Good and timely question since the prayer-mongers are everywhere. I left, for example, the board of an animal care group because the founder insisted on beginning every meeting with a long imprecation to Jesus to help stray cats and dogs.

In your situation, I would do several things. First I would remind this woman of the Constitution and the separation of church and state. I would also remind her that many of her constituents may be Muslim, Buddhists, non-believers, or just folks who prefer to pray in church and not at civic meetings.

If none of this helps, I would call the local paper and invite it to do an "interesting feature story" that raises the issue of religious observations in civil settings.

Last, I would gather up individuals who feel like you and begin now a campaign against her.

PS 2 minutes of silence is as bizarre as prayer. What are attendees to do: count votes?