By MADDY VITALE and DONALD WITTKOWSKI
The Ocean City Tabernacle, one of the religious and cultural centers of the community, has replaced its pastor, but so far both sides are declining to divulge the reason for the change in leadership.
Jay Reimer, president and pastor since 2018, confirmed that he is no longer with the Tabernacle, but declined to elaborate on why he is out.
“As for myself, I am unable to comment about my employment status at this time," Reimer said in an interview with
OCNJDaily.com.
His ouster coincides with changes on the Tabernacle's board of trustees. Recently, five new members were added to the seven-member board.
New board chairwoman Laurel Sarian confirmed that a new interim CEO and president, Ed Kaiserian, has been put in place to lead the Tabernacle.
“We are bound by confidentiality for the best interest of the Tabernacle in our role as trustees, as we serve the best interest of the Tabernacle,” Sarian said in an interview.
In another development, the fate of the Tabernacle’s afterschool program, called the Son Club, is unclear.
Reimer hired his wife, Missy, to run the Son Club. But she too is no longer employed by the Tabernacle.
"My heart is to serve the Son Club students and their parents. I learned that the board no longer considered me an employee as of May 3," Missy Reimer said.
https://youtu.be/aceBJlU0uyU
The Son Club is held in the Tabernacle's Kull Center. It is an open and free aftercare program for students from kindergarten through eighth grade throughout the school year.
During the school year from Monday through Friday, volunteers and staff provide tutoring, snacks, Bible lessons, sports, games, enrichment and life skills classes for local students.
Jay Reimer noted in the interview that he and his wife enjoyed their time with the Tabernacle and the Son Club.
"Missy and I truly value the affirming support of so many in the Ocean City Tabernacle and Son Club community,” he said. “It is such a privilege and blessing to serve these people and their families."
Now some parents and families who enjoyed what the Son Club had to offer are concerned that the Son Club will no longer exist.
That has led to a petition drive, which was started by Ocean City resident Kristin Lento, a married mother of five.
Lento said in an interview that four of her children attended the Son Club program.
“We’ve been going to the Son Club for three years. The Reimers have done a lot for Son Club and the community and make it a safe place. I work in law enforcement and my husband is a firefighter,” Lento said.
Kids are excited to head to the Son Club in September of 2023.
Lento continued, “It is nice to know that there is a safe place for our children after school. They learn the Bible and about being good human beings and not being on video games all of the time. They have homework help and socialize with their friends. My kids enjoy going there and they love seeing Missy. They come home and say what Missy taught them.”
But when Lento learned that the Reimers were no longer a part of the program, or the Tabernacle, she turned to a petition drive to gather up support from the community for the couple.
The petition can be found at
https://www.change.org/p/support-missy-and-jay-reimer-in-the-tabernacle-and-son-club-community?source_location=search
As of Tuesday night, the petition had 264 signatures toward a goal of 500.
Here is a portion of the explanation for the petition drive:
“Missy and Jay Reimer are the heart of the Tabernacle and Son Club Community in Ocean City, NJ. Their dedication, kindness, and tireless efforts have significantly enriched our community. They organize events, provide education about the Bible, and are simply wonderful human beings. They provide a welcoming space for all the Son Club families that parents can trust and know their kids are safe.”
Lento further said in the petition that signing the petition will “show our appreciation for their hard work by supporting this petition to recognize their invaluable contributions and how Ocean City Families respect and want them to remain the heart of the Son Club/Tabernacle community.”
The Tabernacle is a major part of Ocean City's history, religion and culture. According to the Tabernacle’s website, in 1879, four Methodist ministers (Ezra B. Lake, James Lake, S. Wesley Lake and William Burrell) purchased Peck’s Beach to create a Christian seaside resort and camp meeting place.
The men formed the Ocean City Association, which mapped out the town, building streets, bridges, infrastructure, railroads, schools and the Tabernacle itself. The Tabernacle continues to uphold the vision of its four founders: that Ocean City remains a pure retreat that exemplifies the spirit, values and faith of Christianity, according to the website.
The Ocean City Tabernacle is located at 550 Wesley Ave. For more information call 609-399-1915 or visit www.octabernacle.org.
The Ocean City Tabernacle.
