Sis. Norma Bailey-Payne is one of the founding members, in 1988, of the New Jerusalem Worship Center. She is a very active and dedicated member who serves in various ministries of the church, including Trustee Ministry; Finance Ministry Chairperson; Events Coordinator; Evangelist Ministry Leader; Community Outreach Ministry Leader; Vacation Bible School Teacher; Sunday School Teacher. From the inception of the New Jerusalem Church her love for the people of God and spreading His word, is evident in the Ministries she has chaired and/or served in. She is a true servant of God who is always helping others and is bold in her witness for Christ. She is still an active Sunday school teacher and has been teaching for over 20 years.

Elders Ronnie and Sarah Bennett were born in Clarendon, Jamaica, WI, and migrated to New York in the late 1960s marrying and becoming members at First Presbyterian Church in Jamaica in 1972. The Bennetts have served on the Session and in multiple ministries such as Evangelism, Food Pantry, Congregational Life, Visitation, Mission, Health, Scholarship and Education ministry. They have been most passionate about the Blood Drive ministry using their knowledge about their health care vocations to launch this ministry in 1994. Hundreds of units of blood have been donated and many lives saved. Mr. & Mrs. Bennett are also top ticket sellers for all church events. They declare that “getting people to buy a ticket or give blood is all about perseverance and presentation. Don’t take it personal just keep being positive and be nice to people and eventually they will reciprocate.” Sarah and Ronnie have embraced First Church as their family, a place where they are spiritually nourished, connected, supported and serve. As they relocate to West Palm Beach, Florida, First Presbyterian Church in Jamaica salutes their generosity and devotion to the Lord and dedicated service in his church.

Renee Bodden has been a dedicated, active and continuing presence in New Hope Lutheran Church’s life for more than three decades. Her relationship with New Hope began in 1984 when she was hired as Church Secretary; she continued to serve in exemplary fashion through more than 10 years of pastoral vacancy until her retirement this past December. She has served as volunteer Church Secretary since January 2016. In addition, God has gifted Ms. Bodden with creativity and artistry, which she has expressed through landscaping and interior decoration. The grounds around the Church building, the Parsonage and the Parish House have been her “canvas,” giving glory to God and creating an inviting space for all who enter. Similarly, Ms. Bodden has single-handedly refurbished the Parish House, recruiting other members to carry out the heavy work. When the church building was renovated, Ms. Bodden was invited to decorate several rooms in the building.

Donald (Don) Clarke is “Bi-Denominational.” His father, although a graduate of a Baptist Seminary (Andover-Newton), was a Presbyterian minister and his mother was Baptist. Don, the product of a mixed marriage, “enjoyed” the best of both denominations. In his early days, Don did not go to church – he was taken by his parents. He was somewhat peeved by this, as it caused him to miss considerable time from stickball, punchball, handball, etc. After an hiatus from church attendance, Don was again taken to church. This time, he was taken by wife Amanda, daughter Deirdre and sons Donald, Jr., Michael, and Derek. This team has proven to be more successful than Don’s parents, as Don and Family have been active members of First Presbyterian Church of Springfield Gardens since 1975. Don’s service at First Presbyterian Church of Springfield Gardens includes time as an Elder, Session Member, Trustee and President and Vice President of the Presbyterian Men. Currently, Don Is the Executive Secretary of the Presbyterian Men and Chairperson of the Growing First Church Initiative (GFCI). Don is a native of Brooklyn where he graduated from Erasmus Hall High School. He holds a Bachelor’s degree from Boston University and a Juris Doctor degree from St. John’s University School of Law. He was admitted to the Bar of the State of New York in 1972 and is also admitted to practice before the United States District Courts for the Eastern and Southern Districts of New York and the United States Supreme Court. In 2011, Don retired from ExxonMobil after 40 years, where he served as Senior Counsel and most recently as Manager of State Government Relations – Northeast. Don now attends church regularly and gladly – he no longer needs to be taken.

Rev. Mamie P. Curry is a woman who loved her husband, Rev. Danny D. Curry, enough that she stuck by him at the lowest of times. She blessed him with a daughter – who now has a daughter as well. She helped raise them both whole heartedly, without complaint. She has a sweet, warm and kind spirit. She loves people and people love her more. She shows the true essence of being a woman of God. Rev Mamie P. Curry teaches Adult Sunday School every Sunday and Wednesday Night Bible Study. She has a skill like no other for teaching the word of God to his people. Everyone enjoys her style of teaching; it’s simple and easy to understand. She forms the lesson into everyday life. The pastor sometimes sits in on the Sunday school lesson and is amazed at the analogies she uses to engage our members. Rev. Mamie P. Curry every fourth Sunday takes the Pulpit, and delivers a word from on high. She remains a teacher as she delivers the Word. Pastor Curry in her spare time goes out in the community passing out flyers, talking to people and bringing them to the house of the Lord. Rev. Curry spearheaded the Church Building Fund, and any other fund raisers and or programs that can help the church grow in anyway. Unlike most First Ladies, Rev Curry does not have a problem with rolling up her sleeves and getting dirty.

Rev. Lydia Marie Marino has been with Holliswoods Community Church for over 25 years, under the leadership of Reverend Mamie Bryant, and Reverend Brenda Stallings, and now under Pastor Adrian Hines, Sr, of the Temple of New Beginnings Christian Center, Queens Village. Rev Marino was given a Chaplaincy Certificate for completing LACA, Bronx, NY. She has been a Deacon and Prayer Minister at Holliswoods Community Church, and is also Hospice Trained. She is an individual with compassion, and care. She is always ready to give encouragement and to pray for the needs of others.

Lenore Mironchik has been with the Temple of New Beginnings Christian Center since 2009 when the church was founded. She has always been a caring and kind person. She is a trustee of the Church and her Christian duties allow her to make decisions for the Church in the area of finance. Lenore has been a Christian for over 30 years and a devoted wife.She was an Armor Bearer for the Reverand Pastor Brenda Stallings. She maintains and supports the Church’s decisions in areas which require bills and payments. She is a women of integrity and serves the Lord with her whole heart. Lenore has a love for all people and especially children.

Amy Yang Miyamoto has been working hard as an outreach missionary to the United Nations. She promotes family values under the auspices of the Universal Peace Federation, a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) of the UN. She keeps us abreast of the developments around the world. Her involvement with the Ambassadors of the various consulates gives us the heartbeat behind the faces of the international community. At the local level, she served as a council member for the last 2 years and is now the chairwoman of the council. As chairwoman she has brought renewed focus on our mission as a church in general and youth education in particular.

Elder Sylvia Monroe has been a great leader and teacher in Second Chance Church. She has been a faithful member and Minister since 2004 and has been head of the Prison Ministry for the past 5 years. She has been Pastoral Aide President, Sunday School teacher, and church trustee. Elder Monroe has been the Program Coordinator for the Church’s Food Pantry for the past two years. She is a true woman of God who loves to serve the people of God. Elder Monroe has gone well beyond for the ministry and has always showed her love and kindness toward everyone.

Ram Moon, his wife Shirley, and their (now adult) children, Amanda and Jeremy, have been key members of First Presbyterian Church of Flushing for over thirty years. Ram has faithfully served the Lord as Elder, Deacon and Trustee. When Flushing Christian School was in danger of closing, it was Elder Moon (then Clerk of Session) who championed the school’s cause. Thanks to Elder Moon, the school is now thriving. Elder Moon continues to serve with hospitality and wisdom, inviting friends and welcoming new families to our church and modeling the servant-leadership of Jesus to all. For his many years of active service and gentle Christ-like demeanor to all, we believe that Elder Ram Moon is worthy of this recognition.

Ms. Ana Pop has been a member of our parish since its founding in 1993. She was always close to the Sts. Peter & Paul Romanian Orthodox Church and involved in its diverse and multiple activities. During all these years 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.

Alfreda “Cookie” Simpkins is a true servant of God. Her servitude is far beyond the servant’s call to serve people. She is the fourth oldest of ten children. She is the proud daughter of the Late Gabe Simpkins and Julia Simpkins. She is the mother of five children and a wonderful grandmother for three grandchildren and one grandchild due in November 2016. She loves to serve people with the love of God and with a smile. She loves to cook home-style meals and bake cakes that are delicious and superb. She is a kind person. Sister Simpkins has continued to serve God, her family, and church with dignity and pride. She has served God relentlessly at Freewheel Baptist Church of Jamaica for over 20 years. She serves faithfully in the following ministries: Anointed Voices of Praise, Voices of Freewheel, Missionary Ministry, Supervisor for the Youth Choir, Pastor Aide Ministry, Culinary Ministry, Prayer Ministry and Bible Study Member. She loves attending her church. Sister Simpkins is presently employed by the Birchwood Court Owners Inc. and has done so for over 16 years. It is with great pleasure that her Pastor and Brother recognizes Sister Alfreda Simpkins as God’s Faithful Servant for 2016. May God continue to use and bless Sister Simpkins as she serves God and people throughout the Tristate Area.