By BONNIE GRAHAM
Ocean Grove residents and supporters packed the meeting of the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting trustees this week to voice their concerns about the trustees decision to prohibit civil union ceremonies to take place on the boardwalk pavilion.
The ongoing controversy surrounding the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Associations refusal to rent the boardwalk pavilion for civil union ceremonies was the focal point of prolonged public comments during the CMAs annual Labor Day Town meeting, held in the Bishop Janes Tabernacle.
In years past, a small crowd attended the end-of-summer meeting, and the audience question and answer period lasted only a few minutes, with few issues under discussion.
Not so this year.
The Tabernacle was jammed-packed to capacity, with a large overflow crowd standing outside around the open portion of the building.
Many wore the Ocean Grove United T-shirts and/or blue and yellow equality decals on the fronts of their shirts, and carried small equality flags. A large number also carried blue posters that proclaimed A public boardwalk open for all, because we all love Ocean Grove.
Following the committee update reports, CMA President Scott Rasmussen said, The Camp Meeting Association Board of Trustees met four times in five months before proceeding with the federal lawsuit. This was done to insure that the CMA can use its facilities in a manner consistent with its religious beliefs. The lawsuit was filed on August 1, and we filed a motion for a preliminary injunction. The State of New Jersey filed to dismiss the case. A hearing in federal court is scheduled for October 15. The Camp Meeting Association will not comment on the legal aspects of this issue. We are asking those who support us in our view to reach out in Christian love and to love your neighbors as yourself.
He continued, The CMA has heard you, and we respect you. We ask that you recognize this disagreement as only one part of the personal, social, and business relationship we have with you. No matter how this matter is resolved, the CMA will continue to reach out in Christian love to the entire community. We are aware of the challenges and the strength of the Ocean Grove community. We expect that Ocean Grove will continue to be a special community.
Rasmussen asked all speakers to limit their comments to one minute in length, so as to allow as many people as possible to express their views. A long line quickly formed behind the microphone that had been placed at the front of the building.
The first to speak was Representative Frank Pallone (D-New Jersey), who said My message is a message of fairness. Nobody said the Camp Meetings facilities would not continue to be used for prayer and religious services, and prayer and religion are an important part of my life. He continued, Ocean Grove has been open to the public its infrastructure has been open to all.The Camp Meeting Association has received state funding for repairs to the Auditorium and the boardwalk.
As a public facility, the boardwalk pavilion should be open to all. The state of New Jersey recognizes civil unions. In my opinion, if the Camp Meeting Association allows marriages to take place in the boardwalk pavilion, it should also allow civil unions, Pallone said. Many in attendance responded with a standing ovation.
Harriet Bernstein of Ocean Grove, who is half of one of the couples who were denied usage of the pavilion for their civil union ceremony said, I waited a long time to recognize my long-term loving relationship with my friends and family, and I was denied this opportunity.
Bernstein said she was angry and hurt and added, What unites us is our love of Ocean Grove. Your actions (CMA) are destroying this community.
Luisa Paster told the CMA, You dont understand the impact of this action. I love Ocean Grove, and I was very excited about celebrating my civil union at the boardwalk pavilion. The Camp Meeting Associations decision came as a devastating blow. You are telling us that our union is a second rate union. Our families are also deeply hurt. She urged the CMA to reverse its decision.
Joan Caputo, Chair of Ocean Grove United, said, The boardwalk is a place of public access. She said that former CMA President James Truitt, in a 1986 article written in the New York Times, stated that the Camp Meeting Association was not a religious organization, and as such it is available to receive public funding. Caputo said, The CMA must stand by its own stance that the pavilion is a public building, and I urge you to reverse your decision.
Shashana Silverman, a grandmother of six, said, My heart is torn. Why on earth would the CMA work with the Alliance Defense Fund, an organization that is anti-gay? Why did you choose this organization to cause this fight among our neighbors?
Phil May said, The Historical Society of Ocean Grove is not part of the Camp Meeting Association. We have our own 501 tax number. My great-grandfather moved here during the 1870s. This is a wonderful town, and Im still here. However, there is a dark side of Ocean Grove. For many years, blacks, Jews, and Catholics were not allowed in here. Marion Anderson could perform in the Auditorium, but she could not sleep here. I thought we were beyond this. I am sure my family members are rolling over in their graves over this action.
Mary Lou Armater told the CMA that she, a Methodist, had been able to marry her husband, who is of Jewish faith, in her Methodist church. She said, You do not represent all of us. You are putting our property values in jeopardy.
Regina Herzog said, I chose to live in Ocean Grove because of its diversity. My kids play with blacks, Hispanics, and some of their friends have gay parents. The Camp Meetings lawsuit is indefensible. She added, God made gay people just like He made you.
Scott Rasmussen replied, We (CMA) have always recognized everyone as having sacred worth.
Helen McCahill said, I have a foot on each side of this issue. The United Methodist Church is one of the most open churches in America. She said she was a deaconess in the Methodist Church and that her daughter is gay, and added, I dont like the way the church beats people over the head. They are saying We love you, but we dont like you.
Diane Lynchcorkey held up an issue of The Grover (the CMAs quarterly newsletter) and quoted CAO Scott Hoffmans article, We have nothing to gain with an attitude of exclusiveness. She said, Hoffman has failed to meet his own objectives. Ocean Grove must become a welcoming place. She continued, Scott and Nancy Hoffman have done great damage to Ocean Grove as an open, hospitable, and welcoming community. She urged the CMA to not renew the Hoffmans contracts and to hire those who are willing to embrace all Gods people.
Kim Byham, who had been united in a gay marriage ceremony with his partner in Ontario, Canada, said, I thought the intention of the CMA was to share the love of Jesus Christ. I wrote a letter to Hoffman, expressing my concern that James Kennedy, a highly anti-gay preacher, had been invited to preach at a Sunday worship service.
Ray Hutchinson said, As far as Im concerned, the lawsuit is about cloaking bigotry, hatred, and prejudice its not about the pavilion. We have such an opportunity here to take us to a place where human beings are accepted fully as human beings.
John Beemer, said, I see and hear the pain.
He said he had read the Methodist Book of Disciples passage on this subject, and that it states, We insist that all persons should have civil rights insured. He said to the CMA, I hope you have the strength to turn this ship around.
Brian Hunter said, Its hard to keep the separation of church and state.
He thanked Scott Rasmussen for running the meeting in a dignified and gracious manner, and he thanked the Camp Meeting Association for showing their respect for democracy by holding this public meeting and hearing the concerns expressed from the floor. Hunter offered a prayer for unity.
Elaine Parish, an Ocean Grove tent colony resident, said, I am very depressed over this situation. I know God made and loves all of His children. I have many friends who are gay. I believe in civil rights, and I also believe in religious freedom. As I see it, the issue is – who owns the property? I think the gay community should respect the Camp Meeting Associations rights, and the CMA should respect your rights.
Prior to the meeting Chris Luokwyks said, I think a committee should be formed to discuss the future of Ocean Grove, and this committee should consist of representatives from all groups. He added, The Methodist population is the minority population in Ocean Grove now, and it behooves us to have a dialogue.
Joan Caputo said, Im very excited at the turnout. We asked the people coming from outside of Ocean Grove to stand outside so that as many residents of Ocean Grove as possible can sit inside the building for the meeting. Caputo added, Im very gratified at the level of support that has come from the straight and gay community. I appreciate the Camp Meeting Associations willingness to let us have our say.
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