Facebook Casts Out Vernon Prayer Post, But Event Turns Other Cheek

VERNON, CT — Facebook has apparently equated Vernon's 2023 National Day of Prayer observation with moneychangers in the temple, but a day after having their promotional announcement kicked off the social media platform, organizers still successfully staged the event.

The event took place from noon to 1 p.m. Thursday at the monuments in front of Vernon Town Hall. It's was the 14th year for it in Vernon.

Organizer Bryan Flint told Patch late Thursday morning that he attempted to promote it in a post on the annual event's local Facebook page, but a "warning" from Facebook administrators proclaimed the post was suspended with a declaration in red font from Facebook that stated, "you have been temporarily blocked for performing this action."

It then reverted to "unpublished," according a screen shot shared by Flint.

"I was angry, Flint said at the event. "But as angry as I was, I prayed for it."

Flint then glanced at the sky.

"It's going to be OK, because He get's it."

Shelter Director Sharon Redfern just shook her head at it all.

A group of about 15 attended and prayed for seven things:

• Business: For God to raise up his ambassadors in the workplace.
• Education: Education: For safety, morally sound instruction and wholesome environments.
• Church: For unity and boldness in proclaiming God's word.
• Family: For God's principles.
• Government: for integrity, with leaders in government and judges in the court system.
• Military: For divine protection and guidance and for armed services chaplains.
• Media: For morality to be presented.