This “Ocean Grove 2022 Summer Program Guide” is now available. You all should get one and read it.
Paul Goldfinger, MD, Editor Blogfinger.net
From the Guardian magazine: “A Guardian investigation has revealed that a controversial church whose leader has openly expressed the ambition of creating a “theocracy” in America has accumulated significant influence in the city of Moscow, Idaho.”
“Christ Church has a stated goal to “make Moscow a Christian town” and public records, interviews, and open source materials online show how its leadership has extended its power and activities in the town.
(Bold type is ours.)
The remarkable 76 page “2022 Summer Guide for Ocean Grove” presents an amazing number of programs and events which the CMA has planned for this “season.”
The Camp Meeting Association has a “mission” to fill up the town for at least 4 months in season and to present their predominantly religious programs, events, and values.
If you review the impressive Guide you may be concerned that their plans could overwhelm this small town for months. The CMA refers to Ocean Grove as a “seaside Christian community.”
To be fair, there iare many exceptions such as the calendar of events brought by the Ocean Grove Ladies Auxiliary which offers small-town Americana: fish and chips dinner, book sale, art in the park, ice cream social, plant sale and a bazaar—wonderful events for all of us.
And we give credit to the CMA for some excellent music programs including the Summer Stars Music Festival, Songs on a Summer Afternoon, Independence Day parade, movies on the beach, organ recitals, Summer Band, and Atlantic Wind ensemble,.
So what does all this add up to? Shouldn’t there be some breathing room this summer in the form of more quiet days for the residents to enjoy and have their town to themselves, friends and families, especially on weekends?
Is the CMA turning OG into a sort of religious Disneyland? You will notice that their larger events are accompanied by expensive food trucks.
That’s because Ocean Grove is having a big problem: not enough eateries for people coming off the beach, or shopping, or walking about, often with kids in tow.. And then there is the P word.
It’s these sorts of issues that no one is paying attention to, and it is a real problem—including not enough bathrooms.
We need the town of Ocean Grove to pull together, to provide for all, and to get the CMA to back off. Otherwise there’s trouble in River City which 76 trombones won’t cure.
Where is Neptune Township in making sure that the residents of OG get a fair shake? We pay taxes, while the huge crowds of religious tourists who come here pay none.
Read the Guide yourself and you will be amazed! What do you think?
You can pick up the booklet at the CMA headquarters on Pitman Ave, near Days, or you may find some in a display near the Auditorium entrance. Or you may receive it by mail. And you can check their website: CMA web site.
And all realtors should present potential buyers and renters with a copy of this Guide because many new residents find themselves baffled by the situation if they are not prepared.
* Oxford Dictionary: “Crusade—a vigorous campaign for political, social, or religious change.”
This conversation has a historic backdrop. Ocean Grove is inevitably changing, and the CMA may find its forward motion clashing with the reality of evolving demographics.
Here is Bob Dylan with “As Time Goes By.”
O.T: I don’t think they hope for much from Grovers. Their sights are set on outsiders who will come into the Grove for religious experiences. I suspect that this is particularly true given the demographic changes occurring here now.
After the founding of OG, there were people living here, but less than now, and they would get huge crowds of outsiders (up to 10,000 for services on the beach or less in the GA) Most of those religious tourists came by train and most of the residents were also Methodist enthusiasts. And many of the tourists stayed in hotels and boarding houses.
But it’s different now, and the large numbers who come here for the multitude of CMA events do smother the life-styles of the secular Grovers who are the main residents in the Grove.
Yet the CMA continues its efforts to take over this “Christian seaside town,” and that is unfair and maybe illegal.
Of course we all have to respect freedom of religion, but what about the “pursuit of happiness” desired by the rest of us who live here?
I remember meeting a little boy who was riding his bike in the tent area. I was there with my bike and camera. He rode up to me, stopped and said that he has “brownbreez.” He asked me if I had “brownbreez.”
Then I realized he said “boundaries.” And I said, “yes.” Then we both rode off in different directions.
And so it is in OG now—There needs to be some sort of boundaries so that all factions can enjoy this terrific town in prime season especially. Neptune should look at these issues, but they have some sort of understanding with the CMA, and little interest in “we the people.”
Just look at what has happened at the North End. —PG
PG: “…..where is Neptune Township in making sure that the residents of OG get a fair shake?
We pay taxes, while the huge crowds of religious tourists who come here pay none……”
Thank you for stating this truth. The CMA tries and they try, yet from what I can see the response to their “religious programming” is minimal if not pitiful. They try every year to entice with religious programs yet the major portion of OG is residents who have no interest in the religious programming, nor are they aware of the CMA or their “mission.”
Sorry not sorry. The truth hurts.