Letter to the editor
To the editor:
We live in Monroe Township, where I taught in Woodland School nearly 30 years before retiring in 1994. Many other retirees also choose to live in this exceptional township so strategically placed between New York City and Philadelphia. Each time I pass the lone little building, once "Town Hall," on Prospect Plains Road near Apple Plaza, I’m reminded that Monroe has "come a long way." Monroe is "on the cutting edge!"
A short distance away Pulse Savings Bank now stands where the old Board of Education building was located near the Monroe Oak. Long before either of these were thought of, in the 1700’s, David Brainerd ministered to Indians at "Bethel," in or near what today is Thompson Park. A stone a few yards off Perrineville Road commemorates this.
Our Mayor Richard Pucci was the first NJ mayor ever to issue a mayoral proclamation for a day of prayer in May. That was in 1993, when NJ’s Assembly passed a resolution making our nation’s "National Day of Prayer" a "Day of Prayer in New Jersey." The next year the first Thursday in May, each year was made "A Day of Prayer in New Jersey" by passage of P. L.1994, CHAPTER 44, Assembly No. 1405. Each year our governor issues a proclamation. So has Mayor Pucci.
Our National Day of Prayer this year is Thursday, May 3, and plans are being made. Our President, regardless of Party affiliation, always issues a Proclamation. Although observed for several decades, the first Thursday in May each year was made our "National Day of Prayer" in perpetuity in 1988 by "law 100," an Act of Congress.
In many municipalities across New Jersey and the other 49 states people of all faiths gather for prayer, many at municipal buildings.
Over the past eight years, NDP events have been held throughout Monroe Township each year on the first Thursday in May. Those coordinating the events, whether at the flagpole of a public school, in a planned retirement community, at the municipal building, or in Thompson Park, have found officials cooperative. May it always be so.
Thus far this year, events are being planned for Rossmoor, Clearbrook, and our municipal building. If there are others or if anyone would like to be involved in planning these we can get you in touch with the coordinators. Wouldn’t it be inspiring if there would be meetings for prayer in each retirement community? If I can be of any encouragement or help feel free to contact me. Write a note to NDP prayer, P.O. Box 386, Cranbury, NJ and God bless Monroe Township!
Perhaps these are ideas whose time has come!
Miles Bennett
Monroe Township