Citation for Faithful Service
2004 Honorees Biographical Sketches
Presented October 30, 2004, at
Union Congregational Church
Richmond Hill
Magali Alvarez |
Elmhurst Baptist Church
The Rev. Dr. Heinz D. Rossol, Pastor
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Since joining the Elmhurst Baptist Church
in 1980, Magali Alvarez has been faithfully serving God in worship
and in work. She serves ably in leadership as the Church Moderator,
member of the Diaconate Board, and member - presently Chair - of
the Religious Education Committee. She is a member of the Executive
Board, Director of the Junior Church program, and leads our Constitution/By-Laws
Committee.
Over the years she has taken on numerous
tasks and responsibilities within our church family. She was Chair
of our Board of Deacons for ten years (1990 - 2000), a member of
our Steering, Program, and Pastoral Search Committees, and has served
as Sunday School teacher for both adult and children's classes.
Not only has she brought a spirit of love and commitment to every
task, but her life consistently reflects the spirit of Christ in
all her relationships within the church. In addition, she also brings
the vibrancy of her faith to her position as a public school teacher,
a field in which she is highly respected by students as well as
peers.
Because her keen mind and loving spirit
positively affect her family, friends, neighbors and our church,
it is with joy that we recommend her for the Citation for Faithful
Service.
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Doina Babici |
Ss. Peter & Paul Romanian Orthodox Church, College Point
The Rev. Dr. Theodor Damian, Pastor
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In the last two years Doina Babici has
been a permanent active member of our parish and of our parish committee.
She has given dedicated distinguished and quality service to the
Church community. She initiated, organized and managed the Church's
social programs through which people in need from the Romanian community
in New York received significant help. Every Sunday, she helped
with the meals at the socialization time after the liturgy and festive
dinners at the many cultural events and celebrations in our Church.
Her dedication and generosity, her effort
and love for service are exemplary and acknowledged in the congregation.
Doina Babici has been a member of our church since 2001. In 2002
she was elected vice president of the parish committee and continues
in that position today.
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Barbara Emanuel |
Fullness of Joy Ministries, Saint Albans
The Rev. David S. Butler, Pastor
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Barbara Emmanuel serves in many capacities
at Fullness of Joy Ministries Inc., even though she is a relatively
new member. Presently, she is the Sunday School Superintendent (
and also teaches various classes when needed), the Church Secretary,
the Vice President of the Women's Ministry, the follow up coordinator
(who calls or writes visitors, adherents, new members and delinquent
members), is a member of the Finance Committee and the Hospitality
Committee (which prepares and serves meals on Sundays) and is one
of the worship leaders (who lead the congregation in intercessory
prayer, praise and worship, confessions and the reading of scripture).
Barbara has a B.A. degree in Business Administration
from Medgar Evers College of the City University of New York and
is the proud mother of three children. She is employed as an account
administrator at Sumitomo Trust and Banking in Hoboken, N.J. She
loves the Lord and is very serious about the things of God. We appreciate
all of the efforts of this great woman of God.
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Amanda Jones |
Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Cambria Heights
The Rev. Peggy Wuertele, Pastor
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As a member of the congregation, our Sister
Amanda Jones, has a deep sense of commitment and has served in many
capacities. She is currently most active as our Sunday School Team
Leader. Through her remarkable ability to motivate with kind words,
a song, and a bright smile, Sister Amanda Jones continues to be
influential in shaping the lives of the young people of the church,
as well as providing unselfish service to the church and community.
With joy, love and enthusiasm, Sister Amanda
is always willing to serve as a leader, or to be led in ensuring
that the work of the church continues to grow in Christ. In her
31years with the Prince Of Peace congregation, Sister Amanda Jones
has served in many positions, including: Liturgical Assistant, Lay
Reader (Lector), Coordinator of Lay Reader Assignments, Sunday School
Teacher and Sunday School Team Leader, and Vacation Bible School
Coordinator. She has been a member of the Church Council (6 years,
including a term as council secretary), Worship and Music Committee,
Altar Guild, Willing Spirits Committee member (designing sanctuary
banners), Eucharistic Ministry, and the Adult Choir.
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Horatio Leahy |
Grace Episcopal Church, Corona
The Rev. Canon Leopold Baynes, Rector
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Horatio Leahy has been a member of Grace
Episcopal Church, Corona, for 38 years. For most of those years
he lived just one block from the church and was always available
and able to offer his services freely to the church. He derived
great pleasure from taking care of the heating system in Morgan
Parish Hall.
He was a member of the Vestry and was the
Church Treasurer for 28 years. He has been commended by Bishop Orris
Walker, Jr., of the Diocese of Long Island, for keeping meticulous
books and taking care of Grace Church's tithes. He was one of the
founding members of the Grace Church Men's Club.
After moving from the Corona neighborhood
to St. Albans, he still was able to make it to church on time, taking
two trains each way. He spent long hours on Sundays after church
doing the work of Treasurer. At the church's Annual Meetings he
always delivered accurate financial reports. He was known to never
disperse money without a corresponding receipt. Horatio continues
to support all the church's endeavors even though he cannot attend
them all. He has been and continues to be an inspiration to all
in the body of Christ. He is married and has one daughter and one
granddaughter. Mr. Leahy always puts Christ first in his life.
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Ruby L'Heureux |
Trinity United Methodist Church, Richmond Hill
The Rev. Ieva Zadina, Pastor
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For Trinity, Ruby is a precious gem with
many facets. A member for 20 years, the Treasurer for 10, she has
served on almost every church committee, as member or chair: finance
and stewardship, Christian education, staff/parish relations, trustees,
nominating, and church council. Always on hand to help with special
events, she has co-chaired the fair committee, and is organizing
regular flea markets for community outreach as well as fundraising.
For 10 summers she has worked behind the
scenes as assistant producer of the JC Players, a musical-theater
group from our cluster group of United Methodist churches. Ruby
also continues to serve the larger faith community. In addition
to her full time job and her church work, she volunteers at the
Queens Federation of Churches (being married to the Director, Rev.
Skip L'Heureux), and serves on the Board of Directors of the Brooklyn
United Methodist Church Home, including its dinner-dance and property
committees.
Ruby is the mother of 3, Jennifer Bryson,
Edward Hauck and David L'Heureux, and also has a wonderful new son-in-law,
Jeffrey Bryson. Over the past 14 years she's had 12 additional teens
residing in her home for anywhere from 6 months to 4 years, and
because of some of these young people she is serving on the School
Leadership Team at City-As-School in Manhattan, a connection which
began when her son David attended the school. All of this with a
spirit of fun, as you will see if you join her at one of the rock
concerts for teenagers that she chaperones.
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Edward Middendorf |
Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church, Ozone Park
Mrs. Arlene Fiumano, President
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"Big Ed" has always been there when someone
was needed. He is a life-long member of our congregational family,
beginning with his Baptism and continuing through Confirmation.
Ed was an active participant in many aspects of the congregation
from childhood through the teens and into adulthood. Following his
marriage to his wife, Marilyn, who was Episcopal, Ed divided his
time between her church and ours. But, he always returned to Christ
Lutheran.
Since his retirement and unfortunately the
passing of his lovely wife, Ed has found many things to keep him
occupied within the church, such as some repairs, but especially
his lending hand with our newly formed Senior Citizens group. They
also found out that he can cook as he has done for some communion
breakfasts and youth gatherings - and he makes some mean desserts.
Ed currently serves on the Congregation Council as Vice President,
chairman of the Property Committee, an usher and Lector.
Next month we will be celebrating 124 years
of ministry to the community, as well as the 50th Anniversary of
our Parish Center building and Ed is serving as the chairman of
the planning committee. We thank the Lord for sending Ed to help
carry out our ministry in Ozone Park.
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Thomas D. Miller |
New Jerusalem Baptist Church, Jamaica
The Rev. James C. Kelly Sr., Pastor
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Thomas D. Miller, affectionately known
as "TJ," has been known to his pastor all of his life. He is a kind,
considerate and loving member of the New Jerusalem Church family.
"TJ" relates well to all persons with whom he comes in contact.
His personality and humor make him popular with all ages. He has
been active as an Usher and has held various positions in our Usher
Ministry. He has worked with our Brotherhood Ministry He has been
very active in New Jerusalem's Drama Group. He is active with our
Youth Team Ministry. He has been a Choir member. "TJ" is faithful
in his attendance and very supportive in the Ministry of New Jerusalem.
He is sincere about his work in the Church.
When given an assignment, it is done with love and compassion and
he gives the best of his ability As a young person, he is very deserving
of honor and is worthy to receive a citation for faithful service.
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Nannie Lucille Morton |
Greater Allen AME Cathedral, Jamaica
The Rev. Floyd H. Flake, Pastor
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Nannie Lucille Morton is a native of Hartsville,
Tennessee, born to the late Howard and Beulah Cage.
Before joining The Greater Allen A.M.E.
Cathedral under the pastorate of the Reverend Dr. Floyd H. Flake,
she was a faithful member of Calvary ME Church in Louisville, Kentucky,
under the leadership of the late Reverend Levi R. Starks.
Since becoming a member of Allen, Mrs. Morton
has been living a life of service. She is a devoted member of Stewardess
Board No. 3, the Allen Busy Bees, the Goodwill Circle, the Women's
Day and Missionary Choirs, and had been a volunteer receptionist
during her early years at Allen.
Her favorite Scriptures include Ecclesiastes
9:10; 3:1-22; Psalm 23, and Matthew 25.
Mrs. Morton says with conviction"If
I touch somebody's life, then my living is not in vain for only
what I do for Christ will last and then I shall behold Jesus face
to face. That's my determination."
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Margaret Pierce |
New Hope Lutheran Church, Jamaica
The Rev. Brenda K. Smith, Pastor
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It says in Proverbs 31:15: "She rises while
it is still night and provides food for her household." The Biblical
writers did not know it, but they were writing about Margaret Pierce.
Mrs. Pierce is known as the "cake lady"
at New Hope Lutheran Church. Mrs. Pierce provides food far beyond
her household; her food goes from her household to other households,
to church, and to the community. If we need a cake for any occasion
at our church, Mrs. Pierce provides it and she does it with love
and concern for whomever she is baking. Each Sunday the church van
driver gets a nicely decorated bag with a cake or pie inside. That
is Mrs. Pierce's way of saying thank you to the drivers.
At New Hope we love Mrs Pierce for her cakes,
but her service goes far beyond that. She visits the sick and shut-in
members as part of the New Hope Shepherding Committee. And guess
what she brings them: a cake. She serves as an Assistant Minister
when needed and also is part of our ushering team. She sends our
college students quarters that they can use for washing clothes
or buying snacks. Each holiday, New Hope reaches out to the 113th
Precinct with a holiday table of goodies. Mrs. Pierce is at the
Precinct by 6 a.m. with the Pastor setting up the table.
If you want to see her smile, talk about
her family. She has devoted her life to her wonderful family and
to her Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ. She does it without asking
for any recognition, but by encouraging others to serve through
her role modeling. New Hope thanks Mrs. Pierce, "the cake lady,"
for her service at our church.
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Dr. Betty J. Riggins |
Greater Mount Calvary Church of God in Christ, Saint Albans
The Rev. Robert Prince Washington, Pastor
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Dr. Betty J. Riggins has served in many
capacities during the period from 1975 to present. It is difficult
to express in words the Church's indebtedness for her loyalty and
hard work. She has contributed greatly to the church and community
alike and we note here only a few.
She is a multi-tasked woman of integrity,
high standing, and dedication. She demonstrates Christ-like characteristics,
leadership skills, problem-solving techniques while still never
deviating from what is written in the word of God. She has performed
in almost every capacity in the church including Executive Secretary,
Administrative Assistant, Sunday School Teaching, Youth Counseling,
Outreach Ministry, and District Missionary. In closing, we know
that her ultimate award will be in Heaven, but her Church and her
Pastor take official delight in nominating Dr. Betty J. Riggins
for this prestigious Citation.
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Charlotte I. Taylor |
Union Congregational Church, Richmond Hill
The Rev. J. Karel Boersma, Pastor
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Charlotte Taylor is the quintessential volunteer.
No job is too small or too difficult. Her talents are legion and
her loyalty unquestionable. Deacon, Teacher, Musician, Composer
and caregiver only start the process of description. She is a committed
environmentalist. She strives for justice and makes a difference
addressing the issue of hunger in our community.
If, God forbid, we might need someone to
watch over us in a time of crisis, we could do no better than Charlotte.
One wonders where she finds the time to be a mother, grandmother,
friend and companion. We at Union Church can only be grateful that
she shares her talents with us and are indeed honored to present
her name for this Citation.
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Jonathan Walker |
Bethesda Missionary Baptist Church, Jamaica
The Rev. Charles L. Norris Sr., Pastor
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Jonathan Walker has been attending Bethesda
Church ever since he was born. His mother and grandmother brought
him as a little child. As he grew Jonathan began attending Sunday
School, and still does regularly. Jonathan has progressed through
the church school from the beginners class to the young adult class.
He has served for many years as the Chaplain.
When he was old enough Jonathan joined the
junior usher board and is now its president. Working with the Ushers
Department of the Eastern Baptist Association, Jonathan has become
a proficient usher and efficient marshal that leads the march in
various church celebrations.
This fine young man is a graduate of Thomas
A. Edison Vocational and Technical High School. While there, he
was a member of the Bronze Honor Roll three times. After graduation
he completed an accelerated course to become a Medical Assistant
at N. Y. Medical from October of 2003 until June of 2004. Jonathan,
a proud young man, now is more intricately involved in his church
that he loves, as a junior deacon.
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Vernon Williams |
First Reformed Church of Jamaica
The Rev. Mark S. Kellar, Pastor
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Vernon Williams was born in Laurel, Mississippi,
and moved to New York in 1964. He has been married for 32 years
and has two children and one grandson. While serving his country
in Vietnam, he made a promise to God that if his life be spared,
he would be God's faithful servant. His walk with God had many trials
and tribulations that eventually lead him to the First Reformed
Church of Jamaica where he became a member on the last day of 1995
and was baptized six weeks later.
He has faithfully served as President of
the Men's Group and President of the Usher Board. Brother Williams
also serves in our Soup Kitchen outreach ministry in all capacities
from stocking shelves to preparing meals when necessary and ministering
to the clients giving words of hope and encouragement. He is always
willing to serve in any capacity. Most recently he added actor to
his many accomplishments when he performed in a play for our Forty
Days of Purpose Campaign. "I will not let the rocks out-praise
me. I am not ashamed to praise my God."
Brother Williams can be found every Sunday
praising the Lord with boldness. He is one who fears the Lord and
it is with great honor that we at the First Reformed Church of Jamaica
acknowledge him for his commitment and dedication to the church.
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