Sunday, September 01, 2002

From candlelight vigils to special prayer services, to the tolling of church bells and dedication of monuments, New Jersey is getting ready to commemorate the first anniversary of the terrorist attacks that claimed more than 3,000 lives. Among the events planned by towns, churches and community groups throughout the Garden State are these:

Bound Brook:

A "memorial peace vigil," to honor the victims and rescue workers from Sept. 11 and military personnel fighting abroad, will be held at 7 p.m. Sept. 11 at Van Horne Plaza, near the train station on Main Street. The vigil will include speeches, music, prayers and candle lighting. Attendees are asked to bring candles.

Bound Brook:

A special Mass is scheduled for 8:15 a.m. Sept. 11 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, and another memorial prayer service will be held at the church at 7:30 p.m. the same day. For more information, call (732) 356-0027.

Carteret:

The borough fire department will hold a remembrance service at 9:30 a.m. Sept. 11 outside the fire headquarters on Roosevelt Avenue. Fire department chaplain Amos Dickerson will lead a service, and bells will ring to mark the times that the World Trade Center towers fell.

Denville:

A "9/11 Remembrance Service" will be held at the Bible Fellowship Church of Denville, 263 Diamond Spring Road, at 7 p.m. Sept. 11. The service will begin with a candlelight ceremony. All residents are welcome. For more information, call (973) 625-1880.

Dover:

The public is invited to honor the victims of last year's terrorist attacks at a ceremony conducted by the William Hedges Baker American Legion Post 27 at Crescent Field on Second Street Sept. 11 at noon. The ceremony will also honor members of the military who have died in the war against terrorism. The American Legion will present Blue Star service banners to families with members serving on active duty in the military around the world. The banners are similar to those presented to families of military personnel during World War I. To register for the Blue Star service banners, call (973) 366-2257.

Edison:

The township will hold a public memorial ceremony at 6:45 p.m. Sept. 11 in Papianni Park, off Route 27, near the municipal building. Also, Edison Elks Lodge 2487 will hold a memorial service at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 11. The service, open to the public, will be held at the Elks Lodge, 375 Old Post Road, just off Route 1. For additional information or directions, call the lodge at (732) 985-2487.

Elizabeth:

Victims of the terrorist attacks will be honored at a ceremony Sept. 7 at noon at the Centennial Celebration of the Township Fire Department. The ceremony will be followed by a parade, which starts at the Union County Courthouse, 2 S. Broad St., and will conclude at Veterans Memorial Park on Front Street.

Elizabeth:

An interfaith will be held on the steps of City Hall beginning at 8:46 a.m. Sept. 11. For more information, call (908) 820-4124.

Ewing:

The campus community of the College of New Jersey will gather for a special remembrance to pay tribute to the terror attack victims, beginning at 8:30 a.m. Sept. 11 on the lawn of Paul Loser Hall. The program will be held rain or shine and is open to the public. Classes will not be held at this time. As part of the ceremony, bells will toll at 8:46 a.m., to mark the time when the first plane struck the World Trade Center. College students who lost a parent or a sibling in the attacks will speak to the campus community. The college will continue to offer special programming related to Sept. 11 throughout the day and the rest of the academic year.

Garwood:

A memorial service is planned in the borough hall parking lot at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 11. A plaque that will hang on the hall facing the parking lot will be dedicated. Residents are asked to fly flags and wear red, white and blue throughout the day. For more information, call (908) 789-0710.

Hackettstown:

A community service of remembrance will be help at 7 p.m. Sept. 11 in the sanctuary of the Trinity United Methodist Church, 213 Main St. Participating will be clergy from area churches. The service will include special music, prayers, scripture readings and a message from Trinity's Senior Pastor Frank Fowler. The service will be carried live on radio station WRNJ (1510 AM).

Hanover:

The township committee is sponsoring a candlelight remembrance and prayer service to honor the lives lost in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. The memorial service will take place Sept. 14 at 7 p.m. on the Whippany Park High School football field. Members of the clergy, veterans groups and other community organizations are invited. The event will also recognize the township's police, fire and rescue personnel who responded to the World Trade Center. In case of inclement weather, the service will be held in the Whippany Park High School gymnasium. For more information call (973) 428-2482.

Highland Park:

The borough will have a vigil Sept. 10 at the Highland Park High School athletic field from 7 to 8 p.m. Several speakers and performers will be featured, including a cappella groups from the high school, a barbershop quartet, a gospel singer, a rapper, clergy from the borough and Mayor Meryl Frank. The vigil is modeled on one that took place the Sunday after Sept. 11 last year, which some 2,000 people attended, Frank said.

Hoboken:

Stevens Institute of Technology will present an original documentary on the events of Sept. 11. The documentary focuses on the "spiritual relief efforts" that followed the tragedy in terms of the visual art, music and poetry that were created. Titled "After 9/11: Remembrance and Renewal," the documentary is being shown Sept. 7 in the DeBaun Auditorium. For more information, visit www.StevensAfter911.com.

Jersey City:

Liberty Science Center, in Liberty State Park, will be holding a blood drive in conjunction with New Jersey Blood Services, from 3 to 8 p.m. Sept. 11, in the Student Program Center on the Invention Floor of the museum. To schedule an appointment to donate, call Christine at (201) 451-0006, Ext. 214. On Sept. 11, the science center will be open from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and admission to the exhibit floors, laser show and parking will be free.

Kinnelon:

The Reformed Church, at 155 Kinnelon Road, will host a candlelight remembrance and prayer service at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 11. For more information, call (973) 838-3113.

Linden:

A moment of silence will be observed and the Pledge of Allegiance will be recited at noon on the steps of City Hall on Sept. 11. At 7 p.m., there will be an interfaith prayer vigil at St. Elizabeth's Church on Hussa Street. Residents are asked to fly flags and drive with their lights on for the entire day as a way of remembrance. For more information, call (908) 474-8493.

Little Falls:

The Little Falls Clergy Association is sponsoring a 7:30 p.m. ecumenical service at the Holy Angels Church, 465 Main St., Sept. 11. The community is invited to attend.

Livingston:

A moment of silence signaled by the town's fire whistle will be held at 8:47 a.m., followed by a convocation at the gazebo at the Livingston Oval, where a list of victims' names will be read. At 5:30 p.m., there will be a chalk art program at the town oval and at 7:30 p.m., local clergy will host an interfaith service at the community field behind Livingston High School.

Maplewood:

The township will sponsor a memorial service on Sept. 11 at 6 p.m. on the steps of the Maplewood Memorial Library, 51 Baker St. The program will consist of musical selections, readings and a candlelight vigil. A quiet room for meditation will be available. In the event of rain, the program will be held inside the library. At 7:30 p.m., a Service of Remembrance, Reflection and Healing will be held at the Prospect Presbyterian Church, 646 Prospect St. Morrow Memorial Methodist Church is co-sponsoring the church service.

Maplewood:

Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 280 Parker Ave., will hold a remembrance Mass at 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 11. The church will be open throughout the day, starting at 6:30 a.m. for personal meditation, prayer, reflection and remembrance. For more information, call (973) 763-5019.

Maplewood:

St. George's Episcopal Church will be open to the entire community on Sept. 11. A candlelight service, along with a Holy Eucharist with words, songs and stories, will be offered at 7:30 p.m. at the church, at 550 Ridgewood Road. Following the Holy Communion, participants will be invited to remain and listen to music, share stories and talk about their experiences in the past year. For more information, call (973) 762-1319.

Mendham:

The annual Labor Day parade in the borough will honor the memory of Frank Skidmore Jr., a local resident killed in the attacks on the World Trade Center, who had helped organize the parade for many years. The parade kicks off on Monday at 10 a.m. in the Kings Shopping Center on Route 24 and ends in the Mendham Borough Park. Skidmore, 58, was a trader with Euro Brokers and had been active in many charitable organizations in the community.

Middletown:

A remembrance ceremony will be held on Sept. 10 at 7 p.m. at the future site of the Middletown Memorial Gardens to honor the community's 36 residents who died during the World Trade Center tragedy last year. The site is located next to Middletown train station on Church Street. The program will include a candlelight ceremony, and residents are encouraged to bring flags and candles. Free parking is available at the train station. A ground-breaking ceremony will be conducted for the Middletown Memorial Gardens, designed as a tranquil place where friends and neighbors can reflect on the events of Sept. 11.

Montclair:

Several events are being sponsored throughout the township on Sept. 11. Church bells and bells at Montclair State University will ring at 8:46 a.m., 9:02 a.m., 9:59 a.m., 10:28 a.m., and 9:11 p.m. On the grassy area of Montclair State University's Sprague Library, there will be an 8:46 a.m. prayer service and tree planting ceremony. At 2:30 p.m., a Concert of Remembrance is planned in Memorial Auditorium on campus. Also, at 8 p.m., there will be two candlelight campus processions -- one at Clove Road, and the other at Russ Hall. Both groups will meet at the Bohn/ Blanton Quad for a 9:11 p.m. ceremony.

Montclair:

The Montclair Art Museum will observe Sept. 11 by installing children's art work in the Children's Arcade Gallery on the lower level. Admission to the museum will be free from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. In addition, there will be a 7:30 p.m. gathering of visual and performing artists for an event titled, "An Evening of Hope."

Morristown:

On the evening of Sept. 11, the Morris Area Clergy Council will hold an Interfaith Service of Remembrance and Hope at the Presbyterian Church, 57 Park Place on the Green in Morristown. The service will make the anniversary with the sharing of scripture, prayer and songs of hope for justice and peace from the major faith traditions, including Christian, Jewish and Islamic faiths. For more information call (973) 538-1776.

New Providence and Berkeley Heights:

American Legion Post 433 will host a service for both towns at noon in Centennial Park on Springfield Road in New Providence. For more information, call (908) 665-1400. Also, the New Providence/Berkeley Heights Clergy Association will hold an Ecumenical Christian Service of Remembrance on Sept. 11 at 7:30 p.m. at Our Lady of Peace Roman Catholic Church, 111 South St. in New Providence.

Old Bridge:

In commemoration of the Sept. 11 tragedy, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is welcoming people of all faiths to gather at the Mosque Baitul-Hadi on Sept. 14 at 4 p.m. A special forum will include speakers of all faiths, discussing such topics as how people can make a difference, how Sept. 11 has changed our lives, and whether harmony among people of different faiths exist. For more information, call (732) 355-0256 or (908) 565-3236, send an e-mail to akramkhalid@msn.com, or check the Web site www.alislam.org.

Orange:

An ecumenical service, co- sponsored by representatives of the city, churches, Elks Lodge No. 135, and members of the city's police and fire departments, will be held 7 p.m. at the Elks Lodge, 475 Main St. It will be followed by an 8 p.m. candlelight service, on the front lawn there. Throughout the city, residents and business operators will be asked to turn out their lights, for a commemorative moment, when the candlelight ceremony takes place.

Parsippany:

An interfaith service of remembrance will be held at St. Peter the Apostle Church at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 11. Clergy from various churches, temples and faith communities in the township will gather for a service of readings, prayers and song. Families who lost loved ones in the terrorist attacks are invited to bring photos for display. The church is located at the corner of Baldwin Road and Route 46. After the service, candlelight vigils will be held at all six of the township's firehouses. The projected starting time for the vigils is 9 p.m. For more information, call (973) 334-2090 or (973) 887-6713.

Parsippany:

Temple Beth Am, at 879 South Beverwyck Road, will hold a special service at noon Sept. 11. The service is open to the public. Also, at 8 p.m., Temple Beth Am will participate in an interfaith service with other houses of worship in Parsippany, at St. Peter's Church on Route 46. For more information, call (973) 887-0046.

Paterson:

From 10 a.m. to noon on Sept. 11, volunteers will gather at Lambert Castle on Valley Road and read the names of the more than 2,800 people who died at the World Trade Center. The names of the other victims of the terrorist attacks will be read at Camp Hope in West Milford from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.

Perth Amboy:

The Cathedral Second Baptist Church will hold a series of services in recognition of the first anniversary of Sept. 11. Trumpeter Phil Driscoll will perform at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, and Bishop Donald Hilliard Jr. will conduct a book- signing for his latest book "Faith in the Face of Fear: A Christian Response to the 9/11 Attacks and Ongoing Threats." A program will also be held at 7 p.m. Saturday in which the bishop will read from his book. and people who survived the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center will recount their stories. Representatives of the Todd Beamer Foundation will also attend. The church also will hold remembrance services at 8 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. Sept. 11. For more information, call Carole Dortch-Wright at (732) 826-5293, Ext. 1158.

Piscataway:

American Atheists' New Jersey will hold a "Unity Day" memorial service, in commemoration of the terror attacks, on Sept. 15 in Possumtown Park in Piscataway. Ellen Johnson, president of American Atheists, will be on hand to speak about the effects of Sept. 11 on atheists. Additionally, all attendees will be offered the chance to speak to the group to share feelings of loss and support. For more information or directions, visit www.atheists.org/nj.

Rockaway Twp.:

A candlelight remembrance will be held Sept. 11 at 7:30 p.m. at the Park Lake Gazebo. Area clergy will be present and candles will be provided. In the event of rain, the ceremony will be moved to the Rockaway Township Municipal Building, 65 Mount Hope Road.

Scotch Plains & Fanwood:

On Sept. 11, the Scotch Plains/Fanwood Ministerium will hold a special service in remembrance of the Sept. 11 terrorist attack from 7 to 8 p.m. on the Village Green at the corner of Front Street and Park Avenue in Scotch Plains. The service will involve clergy and parishioners of various houses of faith, as well as government representatives and other community members. There will be a time of song, prayer and testimonials from those affected by the tragedy, concluding with a special candle-lighting ceremony. For more information, call (908) 322-9300.

South Orange:

A ceremony on Sept. 11 will begin at 10 a.m. at the South Orange Fire Station on Sloan Street. From there, residents will go to Waterlands Park on Third Street for the dedication of a renovated park area, in memory of Christopher Faughnan, a South Orange resident who died in the terror attacks.

Union Twp.:

Kean University will commemorate the anniversary of the terrorist attacks with a daylong tribute that will include the dedication of a memorial on Sept. 11 at 10:15 a.m. at the Townsend Hall courtyard. The September 11 Memorial will provide a collage of images and text from newspaper and magazine articles from around the world. Other events during the day include panel discussions, beginning at 2 p.m. at the University Center Little Theatre. Students will discuss their thoughts during a program at 3:30 p.m. at the University Center, Room 337. The day will conclude with a candlelight vigil and march from the University Center plaza to the memorial at 7:50 p.m. For more information, call (908) 737-3410.

Union Twp.:

St. Luke and All Saints Church, 398 Chestnut St., will be open for prayer on Sept. 11 from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Among the services scheduled are a morning prayer at 9 a.m., noonday prayer at noon, evening prayer at 4 p.m., and an ecumenical service featuring patriotic hymns, prayers and praise at 7 p.m. For more information, call (908) 688-7253. For directions, visit the church's Web site at www.geocities.com/stlukeallsaints.

Wayne:

On Sept. 9, police, firefighters and EMT personnel will gather at the Passaic County Fire Academy at 7:30 p.m. to remember emergency workers who died in the World Trade Center attacks. The names of all the fallen officers, and all Passaic County residents who died in the terrorist attacks, will be read during a candlelight ceremony.

West Essex:

The communities of Fairfield, Roseland, Essex Fells, Caldwell, North Caldwell and West Caldwell are invited to an Evening of Remembrance. The event begins at local houses of worship, where buses will transport people to Bonnel Field at James Caldwell High School for an 8:15 p.m. service, including candle-lighting and speakers of various faiths. Others are encouraged to arrive at the field between 7 and 8 p.m. Bells will ring throughout the communities at 7:30 p.m. For security reasons, people are asked not to bring bags, backpacks or purses to the 45-minute service. Each person attending will be required to pass through a metal detector.

West Orange:

Residents are invited to gather at the Crystal Lake area for an evening of reflection and music outside the Oskar Schindler Outdoor Theatre, 4 Boland Ave., off Prospect Avenue and Route 280, at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 11. In case of rain, the event will be held at West Orange High School. On the local cable access network's Channel 36 that day, West Orange firefighter Paul Wannamacher and Port Authority Police Lt. Quenton DeMarco will be interviewed about their experiences at Ground Zero. DeMarco, a former West Orange police detective and 1990 Officer of the Year, was on duty in his new Port Authority job at the World Trade Center when the two towers collapsed.

West Orange:

Seton Hall Preparatory School will hold a program of remembrance on the anniversary of the events of Sept. 11. The program will include scripture readings, prayers, comments, and patriotic and spiritual songs. The event will be held at 10:15 a.m. on the athletic field. Students, faculty, staff and families of alumni who perished have been invited. An 8 a.m. Mass in the Chapel of St. Michael the Archangel that morning will be celebrated in memory of those who died on Sept. 11. A specially designed commemorative pin will be distributed to those in attendance. The public is invited.

Woodbridge:

The township is holding a special memorial service to honor victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. The memorial is set for 6:30 p.m. on Sept. 11 at Woodbridge Town Hall on Main Street. Woodbridge lost nine residents in the terror attacks. There will be an interfaith service, followed by a candlelight vigil, and the unveiling of a monument to be permanently placed in front of Town Hall to honor the nine township residents who lost their lives in the tragedy.