Religious leaders from throughout Ocean City called on God to bring wisdom to the city's newly elected leaders at a Community Prayer Service on Monday.
The interdenominational service at the Ocean City Tabernacle was dedicated to Mayor Jay Gillian and Councilmen-elect Mike Allegretto, Keith Hartzell and Pete Madden, as well as current Councilmen Mike DeVlieger, Antwan McClellan, Tony Wilson and Pete Guinosso.
The Rev. Gregory Johnson of Shiloh Baptist Church said the idea for the prayer service started four years ago when Gillian was first elected.
"If you start out right, you end up right," Johnson said.
His sermon was an extended prayer for wisdom for the elected officials — "now and not when it's too late."
"God is the one who ordains people to take leadership in government," said the Rev. Rick Carlson, president and CEO of the Tabernacle in his welcome to the couple hundred community members in attendance.
The service also included words, prayers and readings from the Rev. John Sheldon of the First Presbyterian Church, the Rev. Matt Stokes of Coastal Christian and the Rev. Dreena Garrett of St. James AME Church.
Felicia Beverly of Union Baptist Church and retired Tabernacle President Richard Stanislaw sang hymns.
The service served as a prelude to Tuesday's City Council reorganization meeting and inauguration at noon (July 1) on the Ocean City Music Pier.
In addition to the swearing-in of newly elected officials, the agenda includes:
- Nomination and election of president of City Council
- Nomination and election of vice president of City Council
- A Resolution Consenting to City Council’s Appointment of Councilman Antwan L. McClellan to the Ocean City Planning Board
- A Resolution Consenting to City Council’s Appointment of Councilman Michael DeVlieger as Liaiso to the Utility Advisory Commission
- A Resolution Appointing Michael J. Allegretto to the Tourist Development Commission
- A Resolution Appointing Michael J. Allegretto to the Business and Neighborhood Development Association (B.A.N.D.)
- Citizen comment
