Warren A. Almond has been a member of North Presbyterian Church since 1950. He has served on dozens of committees, taught classes in Sunday School, Art and Calligraphy. He has also served as an ordained Deacon and Elder, chairs the planning committee, photo club, newsletter, hymn sings and movie night. He has been the head of Buildings and Grounds for several decades, and designed, built and maintains the church’s beautiful Peace Garden. Warren transports older members to and from church, picks up donations for our tag sales and penny socials, sets up for communion and chaperones Youth Nites. Warren is that indispensable “Jack of all trades” of which every Pastor dreams.

Lorraine Artinger began her ministry in College Point in her youth, and has continued in many programs serving youth and children. She has served as a Sunday School assistant and then teacher since she was in high school, and currently teaches the youth class. As an Elder, she has continued this commitment to education and developing disciples by serving as the Education and then the Worship Committee Chair. She has been active in planning and working in our Vacation Bible School for the past four years. She is also treasurer of the Henietta Klein Guild. Lorraine’s commitment to hospitality extends to leadership in many events of fellowship and outreach. She has chaired the Fall Fair for two years, also cooking the dinner. She also has cooked our monthly Community Dinner for those in need.

After her nursing education and a few years of service at Christian Medical College, Vellore, India, Ms. Benjamin came to the United States in the early 1970's. She joined Brookdale Hospital, Brooklyn, NY, but later moved to other medical centers, some as far away as Nashville, Tennessee. But she soon returned to New York City and joined LaGuardia-North Shore Health System. She served this facility for over 20 years, most of them in the capacity of Nursing Administrator. She recently retired from a long and distinguished medical career.

Throughout her time in New York City, Ms. Benjamin dedicated a lot of her time to the formation, growth and development of the Christhava Tamil Koil, a Tamil-speaking South Asian congregation whose members include people from India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, etc.

Ms. Benjamin’s contributions to the Church are multifaceted. She served as Secretary of the Church, and was part of the Church’s administration during a crucial time of the Church’s development. Right after this, she was elected to the post of Church Treasurer. She served in this capacity for over 8 years, a period during which our congregation purchased our own Church building. Understandably, this entailed great fiduciary responsibilities for the Treasurer. Ms. Benjamin worked on fundraising events and contacted donors personally for the building fund. She continues to contribute her time and efforts generously to the Women’s Fellowship and other church groups and helps with floral arrangements and decoration of the church and fellowship hall.

A soft spoken person with a true commitment to our Lord Jesus Christ, she is focused on serving God and God’s people. Such dedication and commitment is a rare quality and I am sure she will continue to be an inspiration and example to not only our congregation but to our community and society at large.

Ann Marie Bowen started church from the Cradle Roll... to Sunday School... and on to Baptist Youth Training Union (BYTU). She accepted Christ at an early age, and was baptized at the Mt. Olivet Baptist Church in Harlem where she became a Brownie, Girl Scout, Junior and a Senior Girl Scout. When her family moved to Queens, they joined Amity Baptist Church where Ann now celebrates 48 years of active membership and service: First as a Sunday school teacher and a member of the Choir; then, using her previous experience as a Girl Scout, she applied herself as a Leader. Ann served as Church Clerk, for over 25 years, and as Education Chair person for the Human Service Commission (HSC), and also in many other capacities. There’s a second generations of Young People calling her “Nannie Annie.”

Contance Bowen, her sister, is thankful to God, for giving her a wonderful, compassionate and caring sister who loves God, Family and Church, fervently. Ann remembers, the Octogenarians who taught “The mantle should be passed down to the younger generations” so that “Amity will always be a “Beacon” – A Community-Centered Church for Christ Centered-Living. Ann is grateful to God for blessing her with strong Pastors in her life: the Rev. Dr. O. Clay Maxwell, Sr., of Mt Olivet Baptist Church, Harlem, the Rev. Dr. James R. Moore and the Rev. Dr. Dwight McCauley Jackson, of the Amity Baptist Church. of Jamaica.

When It come to exemplifying the love of God, Ann does so with passion – and is in no way tired. Her favorite Scriptures are Psalms 34:1, Palms 30:4,5 and Romans 12:3.

Victoria Brown, who has been a member of the New Covenant Church since 1900, is qualified with a Bachelors in Social Work and a Masters in Administration to be a social worker and serves as the church’s Social Worker in establishing rapport with the church family in helping members with social, financial and physical needs.

In addition, she has served for ten years as the leader extraordinaire of the Girl Scouts of New Covenant. She has also served as president of the Nurses Unit, a trustee on the Board of Managers, Financial Secretary and, for a brief time, as a member of the E. L. Johnson Gospel Choir as well as Charm School coordinator.

Victoria gives unstintingly of her time, tithes, and talents, not only for her church, but for the greater community as she is employed as program director for Miracle Makers Inc.

This past summer she sacrificed her vacation time to give unlimited hours, activity and dedication to the Vacation Bible School curriculum as a teacher for Primary Department.

This relatively young woman could be many places doing many things, but she devotes many long hours to the building and edifying of her Church family.

She labors with a love and dedication that is enviable and certainly a great example to the children and youth in her care. When work is done at the church, she takes many of these children home with her to give them added experiences of fellowship, theatre, beach, overnight pajama parties, trips, lunches, museums and other wholesome activities.

Congratulations! We salute you as one of the shining lights of the New Covenant Church!

Born September 27, 1927 to Adam and Althea Brunswick in Jacksonville, Florida, Pastor Brunswick was educated in the public school system there until he left to attend Fessenden Academy, in Ocala, Florida. Drafted into the military he served honorably until 1949.

In 1951, Pastor Brunswick moved to Harlem and joined the Southern Baptist Church where he preached his trial sermon under the leadership of Rev. C. B. Wilson. Called to Pastor the Mt. Cellar Baptist Church in Harlem, it was there he met and married the former Shirley Edmonds.

He was called as pastor of the Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Jamaica. After a time, Pastor Brunswick organized, along with several others, the Salem Missionary Baptist Church in 1964. He has served this church as Senior Pastor for over 42 years.

Pastor Brunswick has served the community well. He has led many community actions that have benefitted the Queens residents and continues to be active in public and denominational affairs and has the distinction of being the Senior Baptist Pastor in Queens.

In 2006, Pastor Brunswick received an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from the New Freedom Bible College which recognized his long service to both the church and community,

Pastor Brunswick is the father of six children, the grandfather of sixteen and he is a great-grandfather.

Arlethia Campbell is a fine citizen and a true woman of God. She is kind, lovely and nice all the time. She is employed at a local day care center located in St. Albans. She has worked diligently with younger children for years.

Arlethia is happily married to Odean Campbell and they have three sons. She is also a grandmother. Arlethia possesses a meek and quiet spirit; however, she loves the Lord and attends church every Sunday. She attends Prayer Meeting and Bible Study every week. She teaches Sunday School for the younger children every Sunday morning before morning worship.

Arlethia is a member of Freewheel Missionary Baptist Church where Rev. Ronald Simpkins serves as pastor. Arlethia has served at Freewheel Baptist Church as Church Clerk, Trustee, Youth Supervisor, Sunday School Teacher, Gospel Choir President, and Pastor’s Aide Member.

Arlethia Campbell is one of God’s Special Jewels. She loves to serve God and God’s people. She loves to sing, cook and instruct God’s young people.

It reads in Matthew 25: 35-36: “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.” We know that Jesus calls upon us as individuals and as congregations to do these things, but sometimes we need someone to remind us, encourage us, and lead us as we reach out to those in need.

At New Hope Lutheran Church, that person is Mrs. Bernice Cohen. As chairperson of our Social Ministry Committee she constantly challenges us to go out into this broken world and help those who do not have. Thanks to her leadership of our Social Ministry Committee, New Hope Lutheran Church has several outreach projects that we are doing including holiday baskets for those in need, and spiritual support to teenage boys housed in a group home.

In addition to inspiring us to care, Mrs. Cohen has taken on many, many roles in our congregation including a member of our congregational council, member of our Senior Choir and a congregational liaison to the Lutheran Social Services. There are countless children that have a strong foundation of faith thanks to Mrs. Cohen as she has been a Sunday School teacher for 33 years at New Hope.

If you do a word search with Mrs. Cohen’s name, you find two words, be and nice. It is appropriate that she has these words in her name because she certainly reflects those words in her interactions with others. She is honest, compassionate, empathetic, straightforward and gives from her heart in all that she does. New Hope is honored to present the Queens Federation of Churches Volunteer of the Year Award to such a worthy candidate.

Peggy has been a faithful Christian for many years. She was a life-long Presbyterian before coming to Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church in 2000.

She has been a volunteer for the Alar Guild and a reservation door greeter for our fund raisers. Peggy cheerfully assists in the counting of donations on Sundays, handles the flower memorials and is tireless in her effort to make sure that shut-ins are given the Altar flowers each week. For many years, Peggy came in to the church office on Friday and Saturday evenings to assist the Church Secretary in preparing bulletins for services.

Lena Hunter, born in Jamaica, BWI, came to the United States in 1969. Lena married Herman Hunter in 1983. She joined the First Presbyterian Church of Springfield Gardens June 1, 1997. Lena is a dedicated, compassionate, caring person. She sings in the Chancel Choir and often leads the praise and Worship, is a member of the Presbyterian Women, has chaired one of their programs and sings with the Women's Choir. She was ordained a Deacon January 2003. Lena takes her responsibilities very seriously. She serves with a loving, compassionate dedication. Love describes Lena best of all. She dearly loves her husband, her two sons, her church and her church family – but above all, she loves the Lord.

The Reverend James K. Lee was born in Choong Chung Nam-Do, Korea. He was educated in Korea at Mok Won University (1958), Korea Nazarene University (1961), and Seoul National University (1974) and, after moving to the United States at Trinity Theological Seminary (1985).

He served as a pastor in Korean for 22 years and, for the past 28 years, as pastor of a church in Queens. He retired two years ago and is now a member of the Flushing Korean Church of the Nazarene.

During these years, he served as General Secretary of the Korea Churches of the Nazarene (1973); as General Secretary (1984) and later President (1985) of the Council of Korean Churches of Greater New York. He also served for 10 years as General Church Strategist of the Church of the Nazarene; 10 years as General Church Coordinator of the Korean Nazarene Churches; and 4 years as President of the Korean-American Churches of the Nazarene.

Victoria Plavitu has been a member of Ss. Peter and Paul Romanian Orthodox Church since its inception in 1993. She and her family were always close to the Church and involved in its diverse and multiple activities. Since she was elected member in the church’s governing committee, she has been contributing in significant ways to the development of our liturgical, spiritual, pastoral, administrative and cultural work.

Her dedication to the cause of our church is exemplary. She is in our community a model of faithfulness, dedication and responsibility. We are happy and blessed to have her in our congregation.

Deacon Woodrow Reed has been a faithful and Christian leader at St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church for over 35 years. He is one of the first deacons appointed to the Deacon Board and served as chairman. Deacon Reed has served in many capacities of the Church as well as the community. He was a faithful member of the Trustee Board where he served as treasurer for many years, the Men’s Chorus and the Men’s Fellowship. During the early years of the Church, he served with the Wall-Builder’s Committee where he volunteered and work long hours renovating the Church. In the community, he served with the pastors on Neighborhood Crime Prevention Watch, police precinct, etc. Deacon Reed is a loyal and devoted family man. He and his loving wife, Deaconess Eva Mae Reed, are diligent surrogate parents to many family children raised in their home. Looking back as his life – at age 86 – he has provided the Church and community exemplary service for countless years. We are blessed because one of God’s servants has made a difference.

Shirley Ross is the oldest daughter of six children; of the late Elder Eric Smith and Inez Smith. She was born and raised in NYC and Queens. Shirley is married for 33 years to Otis Ross, with three children Malik, Aricia, and La Toya Ross. Shirley is a certified social worker and has been diligently serving in her field for over 34 years. She was Director of Foster Care and Adoption for Catholic Charities. She has been working for thirteen years for Queens Hospital as a senior social worker, heading inpatient and outpatient psychiatric services.

Shirley graduated from Julia Richmond High School in NYC and attended public schools in both Manhattan’s lower east side and Queens. She graduated from Livingston College in Salisbury, North Carolina, with a Bachelors of Arts degree in 1972 and completed her Masters in Social Work at Adelphi University, Garden City, in 1977.

Shirley has been a member of the First Reformed Church of Jamaica for 18 years working in various commissions. She has served faithfully on the Soup Kitchen, First Reformed Youth Ministry, Sunday School, Coffee Hour, First Reformed Inspirational Choir, Usher Board and currently is the President of the Usher Board.

Like her father who has received this award previously, Mrs. Ross enjoys helping people and lives a life committed to doing God’s will through dutiful service.

James 2:18 `But someone will say, “You have faith: I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.

Stephen F. Schaeffer, Jr, was born and raised in the East New York section of Brooklyn. He was employed in elevator repair work mainly in Manhattan throughout his working career and became disabled through knee deterioration about the year 2000.

Although aware of churches and their ministries, and having been married in a Lutheran Church and having some of his children baptized in them, Steve never lived the Christian life for many years, nor was he baptized as a youth. After various life experiences leading him closer to the Lord, he was asked by his sister to be the sponsor (or godparent) for his nephew at a baptism scheduled for June 1, 1986 at Christ Church, Rosedale. In order to be a sponsor, under the old rule of “You can’t give what you don’t have,” he agreed to be baptized at the age of 40, which would also be counted as adult confirmation, and to receive rudimentary instruction in the faith after baptism. And so it happened. Since he lived in Monroe, 75 miles from Christ Church, the pastor offered to transfer him to a nearer church, but he insisted he would be in church every Sunday after his baptism. And he was, unless sick or away on vacation. He became the active, worshiping, helping church member that every pastor covets.

Soon he was one of the chief cooks for parish dinners and parties. He helped fix things around the building, and is today the property chairman. He also became a tither, and therefore an example to other long-time members of the parish (some of who gave the same amount given as when they were first confirmed). He visited the sick, he picked up persons at some distance and brought them to church, including a sick, retired clergyman. He looks after the building also, using his work experience to repair many parts of the 90-year old structure, heavily used by the parochial school of the church as well as the church itself. He now also serves upon the Governing Board, the church council and has been teaching Sunday Church School for some years, and is active in the Bible Studies when offered, knowing the Word because he reads it daily.

Lisa Sisenwein is an integral part of the life of First Presbyterian Church of Whitestone. She joined the church as a young adult and immediately became very active in a variety of programs, events, and leadership positions. Her work as Clerk of Session is invaluable to the present and future ministry of the congregation. She is willing to serve and work in a variety of capacities in the life of the church.

She has also served as Youth Advisor, Pastoral Nominating Committee Co-Chair, Congregational Care and Outreach Committee Co-Chair, Finance and Administration Committee, and on the Board of Directors of The Alberta Alston House.

She is more than a good administrative presence – she brings a joyful spirit to the life of the congregation! She takes her faith seriously and clearly shares a commitment to living it out every day.

Antha Stewart has been a faithful and devoted member of the JFK Protestant/Christ for the World Chapel family since 1972 when Father Bowman was the Chaplain. She participated in the installation of Dr. Lars Silverness and welcomed Rev. Patricia Evans as each arrived. She is a life member of Ebenezer Baptist church in Exmore, Va., and participates in the annual Homecoming and Anniversary services. Antha is a retired NYS employee who loves to visit family, friends and far away places. Reading, walking and watching TV are her main hobbies and serving the Lord her primary fulfillment.

Antha has been blessed with a special gift from God. She is a very calm and peaceful person with a gentleness and smile that brings joy to those around her. Her family, daughter Althea and granddaughter Corey adores her and she is highly respected among friends and neighbors.

Antha enjoys her service for the Lord. On Sundays she is lector for the Gospel and serves in whatever capacity needed. Whenever someone is sick or in need for a kind word or a word of encouragement Antha is there.

We love Antha here at the Chapel and we are grateful to God for her.

Richard Thompson has been a member at Leverich Memorial Church for nearly fifty years. He has served God by being elected treasurer each year for over ten years. His faithfulness and trustworthiness have been exemplary in this capacity. Richard and his wife Juanita, have also reached out to the community by organizing a flea market each summer for many years. They believe that the education of young people is important and have given of their time and substance to the growth of the youth at the church.

Bettie Womack, a true servant of Christ, has been a faithful, committed and dedicated member of Community Baptist Church for 42 years. We love her and celebrate her.

She has been a positive role model and a blessing to her Pastors and to the entire Community Baptist Church Family as she has served in so many ways – Senior Usher, Sunday Church School Teacher, Member of the Gospel Chorus, Member of the Sanctuary and the Mass Choir, Sunday Church School Superintendent, Supervisor to the Sunbeam & The Youth Choir Supervisor, and Easter & Christmas program Coordinator.