Beatrice Carpenter has been a member of Trinity United Methodist Church, Richmond Hill, since June 1952. She was a Sunday School teacher for about 8 years and Sunday School Superintendent for 5 years. She was chairperson of church fund-raising fairs for about 8 years and helped with them many more times.

Beatrice has served as United Methodist Women vice-president of the Trinity unit for 4 years and attended the Missions school three times during that period. She has been president of the group for the past 33 years. She has also served as the representative from Trinity to the Queens Federation of Churches for about 8 years.

Her other accomplishments include membership in Church Women United, Richmond Hill Unit, for 30 years, and service as membership chair and program leader. She served on the Queens Coordinating Committee of Church Women United and was its secretary for a number of years. She has also been a Girl Scout leader at Pilgrim Congregational Church for about 8 years.

There is a song titled: "Still Waters Run Deep." That song truly symbolizes who Robert Cohen is. Mr. Cohen is a man of few words, but also a man of deep faith who demonstrates his love of God by serving his church, New Hope Lutheran Church. Mr. Cohen is a jack of all trades and uses his many talents to do needed repairs around the church on a moment's notice. He is captain of one of our ushering teams and he greets everyone with a smile and a sharp looking outfit that shows that he has pride in himself and in his church.

He helps us to keep track of our weekly offerings by being a member of one of our counting teams. One of his major roles is chairperson of our Men's Club. In this capacity he and the Men's Club sponsor an annual Men's breakfast, a sick and shut-in dinner, and a Father's Day service. The Men's Club also helps to care for the property of the church along with the property committee.

And Mr. Cohen does all of this, shying away from the limelight and not wanting any recognition for all that he does. That is why today is so special because today New Hope can truly show him how special he is.

Marvia Cudjoe has been a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Springfield Gardens since December 20, 1992. This wonderful young lady became the church Organist and Choir Director in 1993. Miss Hunter, as she was then named, took leave of absence for about two years. She returned to that position about one year ago and has since raised the spiritual quality and tone of the musical renditions of the chancel choir.

Mrs. Cudjoe (Sister Marvia) as she is fondly called works cooperatively with the youth and children's choirs. She gave a scholarship to the youth department so that they could have a trained youth drummer to participate in the worship service.

Rai Dawood has been a musician who has worked with Pastor James C. Kelly for 24 years. He is multi-talented with a rich baritone voice and stylish keyboard talent. He is an arranger, composer, choir director and a conscientious musician. He is an organist who, through his playing, inspires his listeners.

Mr. Dawood has been a faithful, supportive and cooperative member. He relates well to all persons with whom he comes in contact. His is the "Director of the New Jerusalem Gospelaires" whose music is awe inspiring.

Ann Fuhrmann has been an active member of St. Mark's United Church of Christ, Ridgewood, for over sixty years, well before the merger with the Congregational Christian Churches, when the church was St. Mark's Evangelical and Reformed Church. She has been faithful to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and eager to teach and to live the Word in her life.

Her activities in the church include having taught the beginners and primary departments, service as Sunday School Superintendent and Girl Scout leader, and membership in the Christian Fellowship Society in the past.

Presently, she is the President of the Ladies Aid, pianist in the Sunday School and leader of the older adult class, an Elder on the Board of Consistory, choir member, and the President of Church Women United, Ridgewood-Glendale Unit.

The several years she served in a local funeral home she was able to comfort and encourage many of those who had lost their loved ones. Anna has known all but the founding pastor of the church over her many years of service, and is married to the son of a former pastor.

She continues to be of great assistance to the pastor through all of her responsibilities, as well as calling each homebound person weekly and relaying their needs to the pastor; is continually praying for the church and for those in need; and fully participates in every Service of Worship. She is appreciative and appreciated, loving and loved.

She changes the words to "The Church in the Wildwood" a bit to "No spot is so dear to my childhood, as the little gray church on Grove" – Ridgewood. Her church in the city honors her today.

Eileen Gormandy has been a committed and dedicated member of Unity Center of Flushing, New York since 1962.

She is and has been Director of the Prayer Ministry and conducts a monthly prayer and Share Service on the first Saturday of each month. Many people have been blessed by Eileen's care and concern. She has made herself available at almost anytime to those in need of prayer and upliftment. Eileen also, as a volunteer representing the Ministry of the Unity Center, leads a prayer service weekly at the Margaret Teitz Nursing Home.

As a Licensed Unity Teacher, she also assists the Ministers with classes, workshops, children's education, and platform as well as speaking.

Teneisha Griffin is 20 years old and has been a member of Fullness of Joy Ministries since its inception in November 1999. She serves as the Church's Financial Secretary, a Co-Youth Director, acting Church Secretary, a Sunday School teacher, and a member of the youth choir.

As one of the church's psalmists, Teneisha sometimes leads worship and praise on Sundays and also sings solos. She was selected by her church to attend the International Worship Institute in Dallas, Texas. Since that conference she has composed several songs which she shares with the congregation. In November 2002 she will be ordained to the Diaconate and will serve as one of the church's first group of deacons.

Presently Teneisha is a Junior at Medgar Evers College of the City University of New York where she majors in Education. In addition, she is employed as a teller at the Washington Mutual Savings Bank.

Daniel Nigro has been a member of the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Bayside for over 50 years. He has served as Church Council President, Youth Group Leader, Youth Group member, confirmation leader, Assisting Minister of Communion to shut ins, and a member of the Finance Committee. He presently serves as a Liturgical Assisting Minister, Lector and Usher.

Although Daniel Nigro's faithful leadership in his congregation is impressive, he is nominated for this Citation for living out his faith in the workplace. On September 16, 2001, he was sworn in as Chief of Department of the FDNY following the death of his good friend, Chief Peter Ganci. Dan has been to hundreds of wakes, hundreds of funerals, and ministered to hundreds of grieving families. He has worked untold hours, many weeks with no day off to stabilize a department reeling from its many losses, yet he has been faithful at worship since the Sunday following 9/11. At the one year anniversary, each FDNY family still grieving the loss of a family member received a supportive letter from Chief Nigro.

Lillian Santiaog-Oest's foremost desire is to please God as she serves him along with her newly wed husband Donald Oest. She is one of the coordinators for the JFK Bible Club and serves as our worship leader.

As a member of the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir, her voice of praise is heard and appreciated far and wide. Lillian also hosts a bi-weekly Bible study in her home, and her faith in Jesus is known wherever she goes. She has been blessed with an extraordinary compassion for others. Her mission is to enrich women's lives. She is a Beauty Consultant with Mary Kaye and enjoys making gift baskets for the holidays as a hobby.

Lillian served in the US Air Force for four years and completed her tour with an honorable discharge as a Sergeant. Presently she is employed at the JFK Airport as a Senior Inspector with US Customs Service for eleven years. She is also a member of the Police Officer for Christ. It is a pleasure to have her as a devoted Sister in Christ and to honor this diligent prayer warrior and friend with the Citation for faithful service.

Ernestine Day Ortiz is a native of Elizabethtown, NC, the mother of two (Tress and Vincent), resides in Rochdale Village and has been a member of the First Reformed Church of Jamaica since 1990. She supervises staff and volunteers in meal planning for the Soup Kitchen each Monday night. The kitchen serves over one hundred persons. The clothing closet is also available on Monday evening for men, women and children. Food packing and distribution is conducted approximately twice a year for persons in the community. Ernestine is a deacon of the Consistory, a member of the Usher Board, Ministry Commission and Wednesday night Bible Study. A strong prayer warrior, she calls and visits the shut-ins. She also enjoys traveling.

Deacon Millicent Peart was born in Manchester, Jamaica West Indies. Growing up as child in the Presbyterian Church she saw her parents helping people in the community who were in need. As a child her task was to take breakfast to an elderly woman every morning. At first she asked why am I doing this? Yet gradually she understood from her parents that true living is about giving.

Since joining the First Presbyterian Church in Jamaica in 1984, Millicent has been a wonderful example of a servant of God who gives her life to help people. Millicent has served for three terms on the Board of Deacons through which she has visited the homebound, prepared and served Holy Communion, hosted the coffee hour and served meals for families who are bereaved. In addition Millicent sings with the Seraphim (Chancel Choir), serves with the Presbyterian Women and Pioneers. Millicent is a founding committee member of the Scholarship Committee and since her retirement has coordinated the Soup Kitchen ministry of the church which serves meal to the homeless and needy each Wednesday.

Millicent her husband Ed and their three daughters are wonderful servants of God and reliable members of our church. As we salute her, we are inspired by her motivation to serve. She says, "God has blessed me so much so I just want to help people." The Session and congregation of First Presbyterian Church in Jamaica are pleased to serve in God's vineyard with Deacon Millicent Peart.

Herr Schneider has been a member of Victoria Congregational Church since 1974. As a Trustee, Fred assumed the responsibility of maintaining the grounds for over ten years. When he could no longer mow the lawn, Fred's grandsons continued the work for him.

A baker by profession, Fred has provided cakes and other treats for church dinners, bake sales, and the women's fellowship, of which he is a paying member!

Ninty-four years young, Fred continues to walk to church for Sunday services, and until recently, could be seen dancing to the beat of bongo drums, a reminder of his former home in Ethiopia.

Mother Julia Mae Simpkins was born October 18, 1937, in Aiken South Carolina, to the late Oland Etson, Sr., and Julia Mae Etson. Mother Julia Mae Simpkins is the oldest of three children.

She is a faithful and dedicated member of the Freewheel Baptist Church of Jamaica, New York where her son, Rev. Ronald Simpkins is Pastor. Mother Simpkins is a member of the Mother's Board, Bible Study Member, and a dedicated Pastor's Aide Member.

Mother Simpkins enjoys baking pies, cakes, and meals for her friends and family members. She is a proud mother of ten children; a grandmother to 26 and a great-grandmother to 8!

Mother Simpkins loves to praise and worship God. Her motto is: "If I can help somebody, my life will not be in vain." May God forever bless Mother Julia Mae Simpkins: God's Faithful Servant.

William Stuckey has been a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Flushing for over 28 years. He has served on the following committees: Finance, Nominating, Christian Education and Pastoral Search. He is an ordained Clerk of Session and Deacon and has served as a Trustee.

William was a Sunday School teacher and served as a Leader in Christian Service Brigade. He volunteered to install a new sound system in the church. He volunteered many hours in repairing "The Rock," a special room for Youth. He often cooked meals for the congregational meetings.

William, better known as (Bill) is a very loyal servant of the First Presbyterian Church. He has volunteered many hours to the church over 28 years. He has a gift of clear and logical thinking and insists on quality programs for the church. His commitment to the Lord and the church is strong. He has firm personal convictions but is also a team player cooperating with other members to accomplish goals for the church.

He has contributed his expertise of sound management to the church. He has been a quality assurance manager for Washington Group International for 24 years. Bill and Catherine have been married for 27 years and have two young adult children (Adam and Jennifer).