Those looking for a meaningful way to commemorate the 9/11 15th anniversary are invited to attend the Manhasset Candlelight Memorial Service at 8 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 11, in Mary Jane Davies Park on Plandome Road. Bring a candle and join friends and neighbors for a service of remembrance and hope. The Manhasset Clergy Association sponsors this interfaith service. For further information, call Rev. Jimmy Only at The Congregational Church of Manhasset (UCC) at 516-627-4911, ext.102. In case of rain, the service will be held at St. Mary’s Church, 1300 Northern Blvd.
On the evening of Sept. 11, 2001, as the tragedy unfolded in Lower Manhattan, Washington, D.C., and Shanksville, PA, the Manhasset Clergy Association hosted the interfaith Manhasset Community Prayer Service at The Congregational Church. In addition to this interfaith service, additional 9/11 services were held in other Manhasset houses of worship throughout the week.
On Sept. 13, 2001, Lorraine McIntosh, whose brother-in-law, Michael Seaman, died in the attacks, contacted her pastor, Rev. Jimmy Only, about the possibility of hosting a community-wide candlelight service. Rev. Only contacted other members of the Manhasset Clergy Association and a Manhasset Candlelight Prayer Vigil was planned for Saturday, Sept. 15, at 8 p.m. in Mary Jane Davies Park. In less than 24-hours, McIntosh and her friends distributed fliers to local schools and businesses. Word of the service spread quickly.
As the sun set on the evening of Sept. 15, thousands of grieving Long Islanders gathered in the park, in the train station parking lot and in the surrounding streets, candles in hand. The Manhasset Press reported that the interfaith service “drew the largest crowd ever assembled at a public gathering in Manhasset.” In response, the police blocked off Plandome Road to accommodate the gathering. The Manhasset-Lakeville and Plandome firefighters received a poignant heroes’ welcome as they arrived in dress uniforms.
Area clergy from 10 houses of worship led the interfaith service. The Sept. 21, 2001, Manhasset Press described the service as, “The Saturday night vigil began with…a cappella singing…followed by a welcome and invocation by Rev. Only. Rabbi Abner Bergman of Temple Judea then said a prayer, followed by Rev. Leslie Hughs of Christ Episcopal Church with a ‘prayer for a nation in mourning.’ Rabbi Jodie Siff of the Reconstructionist Synagogue read a scripture lesson, as did Rev. Stuart Clark of the Community Reformed Church. The crowd, which stood holding candles, heard intercessions by Rev. Msgr. John J. McCann of St. Mary’s R. C. Church, Rev. Edward Corley of Mount Olive Baptist Church, Dr. Janet Palmer of Manhasset Friends Meeting, Rev. Olav Nieuwejaar of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Shelter Rock and Rev. Thomas Hammond of [Church of] Our Saviour Lutheran. They prayed ‘for those who died as a result of this terrible act of terrorism, that they may be welcomed into the loving arms of the Lord; for all those injured, that they be healed in body, mind and spirit; for the families and friends of the victims, that they may find comfort and consolation; for our president and all leaders who need God’s guidance, direction, courage and clarity in their decision-making; for the police, fire, medical and emergency service personnel whose heroism is beyond description and who are working tirelessly in response to this situation, that they may find strength, perseverance and courage; for those responsible for these terrible acts and for all those whose hatred of others leads to acts of violence, that they may turn to God and learn the way of peace; for all of us who are touched by this tragedy, that we may hope in God and find peace in our sorrow.’ The Manhasset High School Ensemble, under the direction of Mark Van Schenkof, led the crowd in singing ‘Amazing Grace.’ Rev. Jimmy Only then invited anyone who wished to come and say the name of a loved one who was missing in the tragedy and the line seemed almost endless. Finally, after silent prayer, Rev. Father Jim Kordaris of Archangel Michael Greek Orthodox Church said a closing prayer and the crowd sang ‘America the Beautiful.’ Rev. Maureen Kessler of The Congregational Church of Manhasset gave the benediction and the crowd left in almost total silence.”
Since that first gathering in 2001, the Manhasset Clergy Association has sponsored a Manhasset Candlelight Memorial Service every Sept. 11 to remember those who died that tragic day and to pray for peace. In keeping with the central focus of that first service and every 9/11 service since, attendees will be invited to the microphone to speak the names of loved ones wh
9/11 Candlelight Memorial Service Sunday
