Camp Meeting Week, Ocean Grove, NJ

My husband Bob and I just returned from a weekend away at Ocean Grove at the Jersey Shore, otherwise known as "God's Square Mile". A bonus to the weekend was that our pastor, Rabbi Jonathan Cahn, of Beth Israel Worship Center, Wayne, NJ, and author of "The Harbinger" and "The Shemitah" was the guest preacher in the Great Auditorium on Sunday morning. He delivered a rousing sermon entitled, "Handwriting On The Wall" to usher in the 145th Annual Camp Meeting Week in the grove.

Rabbi Jonathan Cahn     Photo Credit: dailystorm.com

Several years ago, while vacationing in Ocean Grove, I wrote a poem in honor of Camp Meeting Week. I'd like to share it with you now.

The Great Auditorium, Ocean Grove, NJ
Photo Credit: joeiovino.com

CAMP MEETING WEEK

An hour and a world away

is a charming place we love to stay,

where time stands still a little while,

in fact, some call it, “God’s Square Mile.”

Our spiritual retreat vacation

at this gem within our nation

is where we find more than we seek,

at Ocean Grove, Camp Meeting Week.

The Great Auditorium’s surrounded

by quaint tent houses, abounded

by flower gardens, every hue;

coral, magenta, lavender blue.

Great preachers come from far and near,

expectant pilgrims come to hear

the preaching and angelic choir

as the great pipe organ sends its fire

of resounding music through the air,

inviting all who will to prayer.

All this takes place beside the sea

in a grove of sweet tranquility.

Stroll tented lanes in ocean breeze,

past tabernacle, B & Bs;

Victorian landmarks give a show

of “painted ladies” row on row.

Visit eateries, little stores

and take the garden trolley tour.

This Jersey shore town gives to each

respite, chapels, sandy beach,

a quiet boardwalk and pavilion,

where perhaps, more than a million

over the years have stopped and heard

Gospel concerts and God’s good Word.

So come, find more than you may seek

at Ocean Grove, Camp Meeting Week.

Maude Carolan Pych