Letter to the editor: Maitland, What Would Lincoln Do?

“Maitland, What Would Lincoln Do?”

Our nation seems to be becoming more and more divided, with the majority of voters thinking our country is moving in the wrong direction. On the National Day of Prayer, May 5, it seems appropriate to ask the question: What would President Lincoln do in dealing with the divisive factions that are dividing our nation today?

In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln called for a day to pray for a nation divided by the Civil War. In many ways there is an analogy between the challenges of a divided nation President Lincoln faced during the Civil War and today’s challenges. Lincoln was a master of using prayer to address the problems dividing the nation and he often invoked prayer in times of need.

This year Venue on the Lake and Performing Arts of Maitland are joining together to present a special concert program featuring a rendition of Lincoln by Dr. Jordan Camenker, a constitutional law professor and popular Lincoln impersonator. He will portray Lincoln in presenting an analogy of the challenges faced by Lincoln and the challenges our nation is facing today.

Inspiring and uplifting music in harmony with the program’s purpose will be performed by the Maitland Stage Band. The program will be non-denominational with people of all beliefs, expressing their hopes and desires for our nation through prayer, music and discussions.

Over the history of our nation there have been calls to pray. In 1775, the Continental Congress allocated a time for prayer in forming a new nation. In 1952, President Harry Truman signed a bill proclaiming the National Day of Prayer into law. President Reagan amended the law in 1988, designating the first Thursday of May each year as the National Day of Prayer.

Maitland’s National Day of Prayer and Concert will be held on May 5 at Venue on the Lake at The Maitland Civic Center. The program starts at 7 p.m. with patriotic and inspiring music starting at 6:45 p.m. Venue on the Lake - The Maitland Civic Center is a community organization dedicated to serving the greater Maitland area through volunteer efforts and donations. Maitland’s National Day of Prayer and Concert is an event that all members of the family will find enjoyable, entertaining, and educational. All are welcome and invited to attend.

We ask you join us on this special evening.

— Len Schmidt

Vice President - Venue on the Lake

Chairman - Maitland National Day of Prayer