For more than 25 years, Elder Gwen Bradley has served the congregation of First Presbyterian Church in Jamaica as a pillar and example of service to the Lord. Throughout a difficult period of transition in our Church, she remained a contributing and faithful member of our Christian family. Through her leadership in the Pioneer’s Ministry, she has devoted her time to preparing a way through service to the congregation and the community. The Pioneers Ministry regularly sponsors social activities such as a New Year’s Eve party for adults and Valentine’s Day party for the youth, with the purpose of furthering fellowship outside regular worship to fortify and strengthen bonds between church family members. She has served our congregation in many capacities including our Session (Board of Elders), our LOGOS Family Ministry, as a Leader for Girls Scouts & Boy Scouts, the Personnel and Property Committees, Presbyterian Women, our 350th Anniversary Committee Celebration Team, the Search Committee for Assistant Pastor and, the Mission Review Team. At a time when most needed, she also volunteered to serve in the Church Office.

Ophelia Coleman has demonstrated her commitment to Christ and service to others through various ministries, from the time she joined with the other disciples of New Hope. She dedicated her time and significant leadership skills by serving the Congregation on its Council for two terms, and helped facilitate the smooth functioning of that body by acting in a liaison capacity for two areas of ministry. The Congregation recently has completed a long-planned building expansion program designed to make its property more useful in outreach to the surrounding community, and Ms. Coleman dedicated her substantial organizational and leadership skills to working with the Capital Campaign Committee that is responsible for funding the expansion project. Her devotion to justice in the family and the community has moved Ms. Coleman to found an annual walk against domestic violence to bring awareness and education in greater Jamaica of the on-going pain and physical and psychological harm to (primarily) women who are assaulted in their own homes. Her involvement in this action informs her reflection and vice versa, as she serves with the Task Force for domestic violence awareness in our local judicatory. Ms. Coleman has lived out her obedience to Christ’s command to share the Gospel with others by being active with New Hope’s Evangelism Committee. In furtherance of that goal, Ms. Coleman has used her considerable computer skills and knowledge to create and keep current a lively, inviting and engaging web site to inform the public about New Hope’s discipleship activities. That Committee service also has included her leadership of the organization and implementation of New Hope’s annual revival each October, thereby continuing to enable the Congregation to spread the Gospel in Southeast Queens through word and song. Finally, the maturity of Ms. Coleman’s faith has led her to organize retreats for the women and youth of New Hope, so that these disciples have been able to follow the Lord’s example and “get away” for times of prayer, meditation and renewal. Similarly, in commitment to our Lutheran understanding of ministry – that is, that ordained and lay participants of worshiping communities work together in service to God – Ms. Coleman has served on New Hope’s Mutual Ministry Committee.

As a teacher in our Sunday School, Doreen Forde has helped to guide our children along their spiritual walks with Christ. She is loved and respected by all the children and her fellow teachers. In 2010, she stepped forward as a volunteer and began two new ministries here at Corona – The Prayer Ministry and The Stewardship Ministry. Under her leadership and commitment, both ministries are thriving, helping move the church forward in these challenging times. We praise God for her giving spirit. She serves faithfully as a Sunday School Teacher since 2006, and in both the Stewardship Ministry and the Prayer Ministry since 2010. She served on the Board of Trustee for 3 years, from 1999 to 2002.

Marcia Henry was born in Jamaica, West Indies in January 1960. Her family migrated to New York in the early 70's. She was confirmed at Tremont Presbyterian in 1972 followed by graduation from the High School of Music and Art in 1976 and later from LaGuardia Community College where she majored in Dietetic Technology. In May 2011, Marcia earned a Bachelors of Science degree in Production Management from the SUNY Fashion Institute of Technology. She was ordained as a Deacon and later as an Elder in 1998 at Springfield Gardens Presbyterian Church. Today, Elder Henry serves as Assistant Clerk of Session, Chairperson of the Christian Education and Youth Committee, Chairperson of PNC/ Mission Review, and President of the Usher Board. Additionally, she is a member of the following committees: GFCI, Budget, Personnel, Spiritual Life/ Worship and Presbyterian Women. As a result of her deep commitment to service, she has received recognition from The National Black Presbyterian Caucus, The Presbyterian Women of New York City and the Presbyterian Men of Springfield Presbyterian. Elder Henry declares that “it was not my power that brought me this far, especially through some very difficult seasons. My journey was made possible by the mercy and power of the Living God. So, To God Be the Glory!”

Deacon Samuel Jenkins is an Ordained Deacon and he has been a faithful and dedicated member of Lemuel Haynes Congregational Church, United Church of Christ since 1992. During his tenure at Lemuel Haynes he has served in many capacities and on various Boards and Auxiliaries. Deacon Jenkins has been a member of the Usher Board where he served as Chaplain. He has also been a member of the Chancel Choir, Men’s Fellowship and served as President of the Music Committee. He is a talented musician /pianist and volunteers to serve as musician whenever needed. Deacon Sam is an avid lover of gospel music and he has taken on the responsibility of making sure that the sound of music always radiates through our Sanctuary at all times. He has donated a Keyboard to the Church and he assisted with the donating of a complete professional sound system to the Church and he also maintains the system. Deacon Sam is a Member of the Buildings and Grounds Committee and he can be found in the Church on many occasions performing preventive maintenance wherever needed, he is the go to handy man of our Church. Deacon Samuel Jenkins is most worthy of this year’s Citation for Faithful Service. We are blessed to have Deacon Samuel Jenkins, in the service of God and our Church. The Members of Lemuel Haynes are happy to have this opportunity to recognize Deacon Sam.

The ministry of Dolores K. Mader has been evident at the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Christ since she joined the parish in 1974. She established and maintained herself as a regular worshipper, which continued until recent illness prevented it. She brought her children to church and Sunday Church School when they were young, and supported the Anniversary Day parades held during the 1980s. As chairlady of Christian Education for over a decade, she was instrumental in the introduction of a lower age for first Holy Communion in the mid-1980s. She, with her husband, sent some of her children to the parish parochial school where she assisted by volunteering in the parents’ association, and later by being school financial secretary. She became school art teacher and continues to serve as health permits. In the parish she served on the finance committee and assisted in auditing the books. In addition to serving on the church council for a decade, she was assistant financial officer during some years. During the last decade she oversaw the parish’s social ministry work, seeing the shut-ins were called and sent appropriate cards. In the last few years she has been afflicted with cancer, enduring several serious episodes of surgery and recovery together with long periods of chemotherapy. During these trials, she gave a testimony to the power of Christ and His Presence through the Cross. Receiving water on her lips following surgery from a cotton swab, she called them “Jesus sticks,” identifying them with hyssop dipped in vinegar at Jesus’ crucifixion. Approaching the operating room, she witnessed to a bright light she identified as Jesus’ presence. Bearing her suffering she attested to the support of Christ, being a witness for all who suffer. We are pleased to honor this long-term servant of our Lord in honor of her faithful witness and suffering service.

Ujuwala Moses was born in Andrapradesh, South India, and migrated to New York City after her marriage. She is a Registered Nurse Practitioner at Wyckoff Heights Medical Center in Brooklyn. Ever since she moved to New York City in the late 1970s, she and her family were involved with the Christhava Tamil Church. Not only is Mrs. Moses an active, committed, communicant member but she also went out of the way to help new immigrants and visitors from India and other places by providing accommodation and help. She is a beautiful singer and takes a leadership role in the Music ministry of the church. She also organized and helped the many activities of the Women’s Fellowship. She is the mother of three handsome boys. Ujuwala is still very active with the ministry of the Church as an able, active and committed Christian. Ujuwala knows that the Lord has work for her to do. She is always willing and ready to serve the Lord!

Brian grew up in a religious environment and was tuned into the spiritual world from an early age. He is active in Youth Events, Outreach, Church Theater, Community events, Band nights, buildings and grounds, and is the self appointed (and much appreciated) auto mechanic for the church’s vehicles. Brian came into the church through The Colonial Players which is the church’s major outreach venue, and is currently studying to become a Christian Chaplain. Brian has assisted with most of our programs since before the church was formed and is wonderful with the youth. Brian has always ‘been there’ to help out the Pastor whenever and wherever needed. A member since 1992, he has held positions as Deacon, Trustee, Youth Leader, Official Church Mechanic, Church Historian/Photographer, and Spiritual Assistant to the Pastor. We are thankful to God for members like Brian and for this opportunity to show our appreciation for all that he has done for God, church, family and community.

Mrs. Claudia Patranoiu has been a member of our Church for over ten years. She has been a member of the Ladies Committee since 2005. She was always close to the Church and involved in its diverse and multiple activities. However, since she was elected as a member in the church’s governing committee she has been contributing in significant ways to the development of our liturgical, spiritual, pastoral, administrative, financial 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.

Julia Schoeck has contributed her talents and energy to almost every aspect of Zion Church’s life. A parishioner since 1967, she has served as lay reader (reading scriptures at Sunday services); lay Eucharistic minister 1983-1996 (serving the chalice at communion); member of Vestry (treasurer, property-committee chairperson, junior warden, and senior warden); property committee; annual Strawberry Festival chairperson; edited and revised several up-dated versions of Zion Church history document; participates in fund-raising events; and a member of the senior choir since 1969. Her current passion is maintaining the beauty of the 7-acre property to the benefit of the community, visitors and parishioners. She monitors landscape contracts, developed a tree census of 145 specimens; solicits and coordinates donations of trees/plants; digs, waters, and prunes year-round. She is an active member of the Property Committee, assisting in identifying and overseeing contractors. Every Sunday she is in her place in the choir, which presents a wide range of music of high quality.

Missionary Helen Simmons is truly a vital part of congregational life at the St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church. In her almost three decades of service, she has held positions as Choir Director, Choir President, Communicare President while serving as Vice President of our Missionary Board. She is also a retired LPN from the New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation (Queens Hospital). A pillar of church attendance, Bible study and meetings, she is a staunch supporter of her founding and current pastors and is always ready, willing and able to do more.

Muriel Sobers is a leader and “mover and shaker” in the life of Grace Church. She is always ready to support the various aspects of the church’s mission and ministry. She is a member of the Social Action Committee since the 1960s, President of Grace Houses Corporation since 2011 and has served on the Committee of the Rector’s Institution in 2011. Her institutional memory of the personal effects of the church is remarkable and lends itself to a reminder to the witness and ministry to which we are called. She is the “who, what, when, where” person on the Vestry, the governing body of the church, and always keeps us focused to the relevancy of the task at hand. In addition to her work at Grace Parish, she is widely known in the Diocese of Long Island as Co-Chair of the Discernment Committee for the Commission on Ministry in helping people to discern their gifts for the ordained ministry of the church.