Irina Anitului has been a member of the Sts. Peter and Paul Romanian Orthodox Church for the last year. As she is a theologian educated in the Romanian Orthodox tradition, she was entrusted the leadership of our Sunday school where her work with our children and youth is outstanding and in this short time has already significantly contributed to the development and growth of our parish. Since she joined our community she has always been close to the Church and involved in its diverse and multiple activities. She also participates fully in the liturgical Byzantine music at our divine services. She was elected as a member in the Church’s governing committee; in this capacity, she has contributed 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. In our community she is a model of faithfulness, dedication and responsibility. We are happy and blessed to have her in our congregation.

Jean Bain has been a member of Grace Church since 2003. Jean’s gift of ministry to youth was first noticed when she both taught and coached students ranging from elementary school to high school in the Social Action Tutorial Program. It was then that the Rector asked Jean to assist with the then fledgling Church School Program. Indeed, the program has grown tremendously through her leadership. Often Jean brings an array of resources to the Church school where the students have shared some very fascinating pageants and recitals before the congregation for special days in the life of the church such as Christmas, Easter and Black History Month. About five years ago, Jean was a member of the Vestry and helped us bring the Church’s personnel files to a level of professional status. Jean serves as the corresponding secretary for Grace Houses, a residential facility with 80 units of housing both for Seniors Citizens and physically challenged adults. Despite the ministry, guild and/or organization of the parish, Jean is found assisting in the kitchen clean-up, waiting tables, and serving a part of her ministry of hospitality. There is one last example of her ministry that is exemplary that needs to be underscored here. Jean provides transportation each Sunday both to adults and youth. Often there may be as many as seven people piled in her car. This makes her, in my estimation, one of the greatest evangelists of our parish. Through her transportation ministry, she has brought many youth to parish through this medium.

Aline Barron has been a dedicated member of the New Jerusalem Worship Center since joining in September 2002. She has served this congregation faithfully over the past thirteen years. She has organized a Step Team Ministry for teenage girls; providing leadership to our Youth ages 12- 21 as a member of the Youth Team Ministry. She served as President of the Praise and Worship Ministry. Most recently, she has been the Coordinator of the Children’s Ministry which, under her leadership, has brought new and innovative programming including the expansion of our Children’s Church and Drama Ministries.

Sis. Vinetta Bradford has been a member of the Saint Albans Baptist Church for twenty four years. She leads the Praise and Worship Ministry and has done so for sixteen years. She has also led the praise and worship on our Women’s Retreats. Vinetta sings in the Mass choir and is one of our soloists. Vinetta organized the Theater Ministry which was renamed the Performing Arts Ministry of St. Albans Baptist Church in 2013. Two different plays are performed each year along with meals that are called “a Dinner Theater.” Vinetta writes and directs these plays. These events are well attended and usually sold out early. Vinetta is a student in our Bible Study and she is a faithful and dedicated member of our church.

Pauline Francis has been a member of First United Methodist Church of Jamaica since 1995. As chairperson of the Stewardship committee she has started annual fundraisers namely Blast from the Past and Birthday rally of the month. She has also organized fundraisers for the Summer Camp and the Afterschool. Her hospitality also extends to preparing breakfast and lunch for the pastors during the BOOM meetings and other functions held by the Long Island West District. Pauline is always there with a helping hand when any committee needs that extra help with anything and is also a wonderful person to know and work with as she continues to serve the church.

Sis. Doris Hood has been an active member of the First Church of God in Far Rockaway since 1987, and has served the church and the community in various ministry areas. Doris Hood has directed the Food Pantry Ministry for many years and under her leadership has partnered with several organizations and agencies to provide food and counseling services to the residents of the Rockaway community and beyond. The United Way, CRU–Here’s Life Greater New York and Hunger Prevention & Nutrition Assistance Program (HPNAP) have all worked together to help our community and especially during the Sandy Hurricane disaster. This ministry continued to operate on the 2nd & 4th Saturdays from 1-3 p.m. Doris Hood serves the Senior Adult Ministry (Golden Vessels) of the church and community through activities of cultural information, trips, arts & crafts, movies, picnics, health & legal workshops. She is coordinator of the Noon Day Prayer that meets Monday to Saturday. This ministry receives prayer requests from the community residents concerning their needs. Another ministry Doris Hood leads is the Cell-Care Groups, which are small groups that meet once a week for ninety minutes for prayer, encouragement, and assistance to one another in the homes of members and friends. Each of these ministries impacts our church and community in significant ways.

Arielle Jackson has served Macedonia A.M.E. Church, Flushing, and the wider church in many capacities. As a 17-year member of the Macedonia Local Young People Department (YPD), she served as Financial Secretary, Vice-President and President. She served as the New York Conference YPD Financial Secretary, as Parliamentarian of the First District YPD and as Financial Secretary of the Brooklyn Area YPD. She is currently providing leadership in several local ministries including the Unspoken Praise Mime Ministry, Youth Choir, Lay Organization, Youth Council (Vice President), Macedonia Cheerleading (Co-Director), Women’s Day Youth Chair, and the Debutante in Cotillion. Her future plans are to work with the youth and young adults. She would like to be a mentor to help guide them through the challenges they face in their community and the global world. Her future goals are to have a career in Human Resources as a Personnel Recruiter. Arielle wants to help people and to assist them in obtaining jobs and careers. Her future goals for the church include seeing that youth and young adult membership involvement increase. With YPD experience, Arielle would like one day to be the YPD Director and expand her horizons in order to be a true blessing to the youth. Arielle is an exemplary woman, who walks with confidence and boldness. She has demonstrated a spirit of giving. and is always ready to be of assistance and eagerly encourages young people to strive in life. She is a faithful member of the church and exhibits spiritual deportment.

Judge Daniel W. Joy is a retired justice of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, having served 42 years in public service, 18 of which as a judge. He grew up in Glen Cove on Long Island in the foster home of Maggie Taylor, founder of the Baptist Church there, where he received his religious and moral roots. He attended Brooklyn Law School and practiced law in Bedford Stuyvesant before entering public service in 1957 where he spent 25 years specializing in housing matters. In 1983, Judge Joy was elected to the civil court and retired in 2000 as an Associate Justice of the Appellate Division, 2nd Department State Appeals Court. He is a member of New Hope Lutheran Church (ELCA) in Jamaica, where he serves as an adult bible teacher and sings in two choirs. He is also chairman of the Stewardship Committee and former president and current secretary of the Men’s Ministry. He is a member the of the Call (Pulpit) Committee and the African Descent Lutheran Association (ADLA). He serves on the boards of Lutheran Social Services, Queens Federation of Churches, and the Jamaica Service Program for Older Adults (JSPOA) and he is chairman emeritus of the Macon K. Allen Black Bar Association. Judge Joy is married to Ruby, a tax accountant. They have a daughter and four grandchildren, including 27-year old twin grandsons. One of his favorite Bible verses is Acts 20:35: “it is more blessed to give than to receive.”

Paul Landherr fondly refers to his relationship with Redeemer Lutheran Church by saying that he “grew up” in the community. He became a member of the congregation through Baptism in his first year of life and he has come to know and love Christ by God’s grace among the people of Redeemer. He generously shares that love and the biblical accounts of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection with children of the neighborhood through educational programs. And his strong love of creation, unfailing commitment to ecology and support of income equality motivate living the Gospel in his everyday life. For 40 years he has served as an Acolyte in worship, six years as Head Acolyte. He has served as an Assisting Minister and Lector in worship, Sunday School Assistant and Treasurer. He is a member of the Congregational Council and has served as chair of the Social Ministry Committee. He regularly assists in various programs and projects at the church and is a member of the Evangelism Committee.

Siak Meng Lau has been serving as Usher, Greeter, Prayer Coordinator, Stage Manager, and currently as a Soundman of City Blessing Church. The Church started its ministry in New York in 1991 reaching the Indonesian community in Queens. Siak Meng Lau has been member since 1998. He enjoys and loves the church very much, which has become his second family. He is a very talented individual: He can bake, fixes washing machines, does plumbing, electrical, roofing, puts up walls, and almost anything you can imagine about construction. At church, he continues to serve the Lord in an amazing way. He leads the church in prayer intercession. He makes sure he is the first to arrive at church to open the door, set the room temperature, lighting and sound system at once. He loves to serve and serve.

Deacon Yvonne Reece has been a member of Hollis Avenue Congregational Church, United Church of Christ since January 24, 1982. She is a senior member of the Deacon Board; called to the office in 1994. This exceptional woman of God is also a member of the Chancel Choir, as well as the seamstress for our Angelic Praise Dance Ministry. She faithfully attends Bible Study on Tuesday evening and on Wednesday morning she is back at the church working with the Senior Buddy System, conducting activities and planning outings. God has blessed and anointed Deacon Reece with many gifts. She is very supportive of her family, the church, our children and her pastor. We are honored to have her here at Hollis and if anyone deserves to be recognized for their outstanding service to the church and the community, it is Deacon Yvonne Reece. We congratulate her for being the recipient of this year’s “Citation for Faithful Service Award.”

Elder Richard Walburg is a Storyteller, Singer and Servant. Anyone who meets Elder Walburg knows that he is a man filled with stories. You can get stories from his childhood growing up in Richmond Hill, Georgia, from his days as a specialist in the U.S. Army in Europe and Alaska in the 60s, there are stories from his time at ADT where he learned computers, which took him to his days working with the U.S. Post Office. When you meet Richard you need hours and days to hear him talk about growth, progress, computers and transportation. Richard loves cars and is a long distance driver and he has worldwide and statewide car stories. He loves to see how things run. Richard has powerful faith stories. He is a walking miracle having been healed from cancer and overcoming adversity many times. He can tell you about the mighty God he serves. Richard is a singer. He possesses a beautiful baritone voice and has sung in the church choir under five music directors. Richard loves good old gospel songs but loves even more to worship Almighty God. Elder Walburg joined the ministry of First Presbyterian Church in Jamaica in 1985 and, from the moment he joined, his time with the church has been about service. He has served on the Session (governing board), Property, Budget and Finance Committees. He has taught computer classes, gardened, painted and refurbished, lead a small group and cooked for many church breakfast gatherings. Richard believes that two key qualities for a believer are having love and faith. “If you have love and faith you can do anything and help everyone.” First Church celebrates this husband, father, grandfather and great servant of the living God.