The Manhasset Clergy Association sponsored a Candlelight Prayer Vigil on Saturday, Sept. 15 at Mary Jane Davies Park. The event, which was conceived by Rev. Jimmy Only of The Congregational Church of Manhasset, drew the largest crowd ever assembled at a public gathering in Manhasset. Even a week after the tragedy at the World Trade Center the exact numbers of those who perished are not available, but it is known that Manhasset suffered severe losses. As a commuting town, with a high percentage of its commuters working on Wall Street, Manhasset, along with Garden City and Rockville Centre, was one of the areas that sustained the worst tragedies.

The Saturday night vigil began with the a cappella singing of America, followed by a welcome and invocation by Rev. Only. Rabbi Abner Bergman of Temple Judea then said a prayer, followed by Rev. Leslie Hughs of Christ Episcopal Church with a "prayer for a nation in mourning." Rabbi Jodie Siff of the Reconstructionist Synagogue read a scripture lesson, as did Rev. Stuart Clark of the Community Reformed Church.

The crowd, which stood holding candles, heard intercessions by Rev. Msgr. John J. McCann of St. Mary's R. C. Church, Rev. Edward Corley of Mount Olive Baptist Church, Dr. Janet Palmer of Manhasset Friends Meeting, Rev. Olav Nieuwejaar of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Shelter Rock and Rev. Thomas Hammond of Christ Our Saviour, Lutheran.

They prayed "for those who died as a result of this terrible act of terrorism, that they may be welcomed into the loving arms of the Lord; for all those injured, that they be healed in body, mind and spirit; for the families and friends of the victims, that they may find comfort and consolation; for our president and all leaders who need God's guidance, direction, courage and clarity in their decision-making; for the police, fire, medical and emergency service personnel whose heroism is beyond description and who are working tirelessly in response to this situation, that they may find strength, perseverance and courage; for those responsible for these terrible acts and for all those whose hatred of others leads to acts of violence, that they may turn to God and learn the way of peace; for all of us who are touched by this tragedy, that we may hope in God and find peace in our sorrow."

The Manhasset High School Ensemble, under the direction of Mark Van Schenkof, led the crowd in singing Amazing Grace.

Rev. Jimmy Only then invited anyone who wished to come and give the name of a loved one who was missing in the tragedy and the line seemed almost endless.

Finally, after silent prayer, Rev. Father Jim Kordaris of Archangel Michael Greek Orthodox Church said a closing prayer and the crowd sang America the Beautiful. Rev. Maureen Kessler of The Congregational Church of Manhasset gave the benediction and the crowd left in almost total silence.