Community Corner

East Brunswick Faith Leaders Unite, Spread Message Of Love On Day Of Prayer

The East Brunswick Interfaith Clergy Council came together to pray for the community and public leaders on National Day of Prayer.

Mayor Brad Cohen speaks during the National Day of Prayer.
Mayor Brad Cohen speaks during the National Day of Prayer. (Courtesy of Dee Brown/East Brunswick Township )

EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ – Faith leaders from across the community came together last Thursday, to celebrate National Day of Prayer by spreading the message of love and togetherness.

The East Brunswick Interfaith Clergy Council was joined by Mayor Brad Cohen in an open air commemoration held outside the Senior Center.

“I appreciate that we have such a vibrant group of clergy. The town is so lucky to have an opportunity to have all diverse cultures represented here,” Cohen said.

Find out what's happening in East Brunswickfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

“What I pray for right now is a nation that seems to have lost its way a little bit, figures out how to get back on course. We’ve kind of lost of mission, our moral purpose which was embedded in the words E Pluribus Unum (Out of Many One).”

He called on residents who focus on issues important to the community, get involved and come together despite different political leaning.

Find out what's happening in East Brunswickfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Fr. Mark Hannah, of St. Mary’s Coptic orthodox Church, prayed for the local and national government. “I pray for the government that God always gives them wisdom and discernment for every decision that they may, concerning people, education and discrimination,” Hannah said.

Kevin and Crystal Pleasant, pastors at Vibrant Church, prayed for businesses and the community to have a “workforce that is filled with the spirit of excellence and unity in all they do.”

Cantor Larry Brandspiegel of the East Brunswick Brunswick Jewish Center said a prayer for students and educators, while Rabbi Eric Eisenkramer of Temple B’Nai Shalom prayed for faith in the world. “We pray to make our faith into a reality to repair our world,” Eisenkramer prayed.

Pastors Sung Chung Ham from Aldersgate United Methodist Church and Jung Ung Moon of Calvary Korean United Methodist Church focused on the importance of family. They prayed in English and Korean.

Rev. Thomas Wong of the East Brunswick Community Church spoke about the importance of loving our neighbors. He prayed for courage and humility to see and hear others.

You can watch the full service here.

Have a correction or news tip? Email sarah.salvadore@patch.com

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.