October 28, 2006

FLUSHING, NY – Seven lay persons, members of local Christian churches in Queens, were recognized today by the Queens Federation of Churches with the Citation for Faithful Service. The 14th presentation of this award was made at a luncheon held at Promise Ministries Full Gospel New York Church in Flushing.

Pastors of Queens churches are invited annually to nominate persons who, serving in a volunteer capacity, have been models of the faithful servant called by Jesus Christ. Over 250 individuals have been recognized by the Queens Federation of Churches since the program began in 1993.

The pastor of each church introduced his or her nominee to the assembly and then presented the Citation along with Shirley Ford, President of the Queens Federation of Churches. Those given the Citation for Faithful Service on Saturday are:

• Ezekiel Davis of First United Methodist Church of Jamaica, by Rev. Dr. Kyong Nak Kim, Pastor.

• Barbara Fairfax of Community Baptist Church, Bayside, by Rev. Dr. Phillip Charles Joubert Sr., Pastor.

• Marianne Fazio of Christ for the World Chapel, John F Kennedy Airport, by Rev. Patricia A. Evans, Chaplain.

• Cathy Kelley of Freewheel Baptist Church, Jamaica, by Rev. Ronald Simpkins, Pastor.

• Mihaela Stan of Ss. Peter & Paul Romanian Orthodox Church, College Point, by Rev. Dr. Theodor Damian, Pastor.

• Ronda R. Strong of Deliverance Temple Church of Jesus Christ, South Ozone Park, by Rev. Dr. Rita L. Speller, Pastor.

• Lillie Harding Wilson of New Hope Lutheran Church, Jamaica, by Rev. Brenda K. Smith, Pastor. Mrs. Wilson, who died two months ago, was recognized posthumously with her husband, Marion Wilson, receiving the honor.

The Rev. N. J. L'Heureux, Jr., Executive Director of the Queens Federation of Churches, presided over the days activities. He spoke of the ecumenical vision as being rooted in God's Creation, the inhabited earth, being God's household. "And just as those who live in your household are members of your family," he said, "those who live in God's household are all members of God's one family." He challenged those present to "think what it would be like in the world, if everyone would act toward one another with the knowledge of that personal family relationship in mind."

The Queens Federation of Churches is celebrating its 75th year as the council of churches for Queens. Over 390 Christian churches in the borough participate in its Ecumenical Ministry in Queens which includes the Queens Interfaith Hunger Network, a Campus Ministry at York College, the Christ for the World Chapel at JFK Airport, and a variety of other programs and services designed to help local church leaders be more effective in ministry. It is accessible on the Web at http://www.QueensChurches.org/, where one can find a directory of all religious congregations in Queens and an online weekly newspaper, The Nexus of Queens, featuring religious news from across the nation and around the world.

Queens Federation of Churches