Maria Butila has been a distinguished and faithful member of Sts. Peter and Paul Romanian Orthodox Church since 2003. She was always close to the 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.

For over 32 years, Fran Catalano has been Inviting the Unseen Guest to dinner. The goal of this ministry is to ensure that those most vulnerable, the sick and elderly, receive a nutritious homecooked dinner at least twice a week. Fran and her parents, Mary and Tony Miceli, formed the first Meals-on-Wheels team at Sacred Heart. Today there are three teams with over 70,000 meals distributed. Fran continues to coordinate her team of 15 volunteers cooking more than 200 meals each time they meet. They plan the menus, shop, cook, assemble and label the dinners for weekend distribution. She still has in her possession a little black marbled notebook begun 1986, recording menus and cost. She graduated from Sacred Heart School in 1953 and was married at Sacred Heart Church in 1962. In 1970, she became a member of first Parish Council. She has served as member of Ecumenical Committee, secretary of the Liturgy Committee, and a Parish council representative. She continues to serve on the Altar-Rosary Society (which she previously served as president), as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, and as Team “B” captain of the Meals-on-Wheels Ministry.

David L. Duncans united with the Merrick Park Baptist Church on Sunday, February 8, 2009. During his tenure, he has made himself an invaluable member of this church, who goes above and beyond the call of duty. He is president of the Men’s Ministry, a member of the Transportation and Security Ministries, and an honorary member of the Ushers Ministry. He has taken the Men’s Breakfast, which is held every 2 Saturday each month, to an entirely new level. Whereas the Men’s Breakfast only catered to the Men of Merrick Park in the past, under Dave’s leadership, we have seen significant growth in the number of attendees, many from neighboring churches and some from even as far as Amityville. The Men’s Ministry Breakfast is a fellowship for men where they receive teachings from the Word of God either from the Pastor of Merrick Park or from a guest pastor. With regards to the Transportation Ministry, yet again we see this man of God go above the call of duty. His role with the transportation does not only include transporting members to and from services, but he also takes the elderly to doctor’s appointments, and the airport as needed. During the Christmas holiday, he picks up the donations of toys for the children and during the thanksgiving holiday, he assists with the negotiation of pricing and the purchasing of turkeys for church and community for our Annual Thanksgiving Turkey Basket Give-Away. He also picks up Thanksgiving Dinners from Greater Allen Cathedral and delivers them to Merrick Park as well as to members who are sick and home-bound. In addition to this, picking up the breakfast items for our weekly breakfasts and any church events, including funeral repasts, wedding receptions, and church and ministry anniversaries. He assists in taking clothing donations to the shelters and brings food from the food pantries for members in need. Because of his activities with those whom he takes to doctor’s appointment, he keeps the pastor, deacons, and the church secretary abreast of when members are ill and/or have been hospitalized or placed in a nursing home. In 2015, when his home church became a victim of Dylan Roof and his assassination of members of the Emanuel African Methodist Church in Charleston, South Carolina, Dave was instrumental in securing donations from the Merrick Park Baptist Church to aid the bereaved families. Dave also works the security detail for the church, assisting the membership and guests with parking, and ensuring the overall safety of the pastor, the church, and the membership. Dave is the unofficial Public Relations (PR) person at Merrick Park. He keeps the membership updated of birthdays, anniversaries, deaths, funerals of members present, past and families of said members, upcoming social, community events, activism, etc. on our FaceBook website. This role earned him the unofficial title as director of a ministry of what we call Ask Dave Advisory Ministry (ADAM) or Ask Dave for short. He communicates with public officials to assist our church members. He also assists the pastor with the robo-calls and robo-texts, announcing upcoming church services, events, and meetings. Dave has been an active member of the Merrick Park Baptist Church. He is friendly and jovial and is endeared to many especially the Senior Circle, who often request him to be their driver on outgoing trips to restaurants, plays, and such. He is the epitome of a servant leader.

Samuel Isaac has, for several years, served as the church Social Service Coordinator, serving the needy in and around Queens and sending help to the people in Tamil Nadu Churches. He has consistently served those in need through Christhava Tamil Koil for over 15 years. His major contribution is in the realm of photography, recoding visual images and sounds of joyous music of the church. He has recorded almost all of the church events and distributed them to the congregation. Samuel Isaac is a devoted husband, caring father, hardworking and committed Christian, a true and trustworthy servant of God.

Deacon Frances Lewis was born in Glasgow, Virginia, and came to New York when she was eight years old where she was raised by her aunt. She attended Public School, Junior High and High School in Harlem. After graduating from Brooklyn College, she worked with Equitable Life Insurance Company and was married in 1957. She Joined Springfield Gardens Presbyterian Church in 1964 and worked with the NYC Anti-Poverty Program in Jamaica. After 21 years, she retired from her government position and worked as a teacher for the Laurelton Daycare Center (at Springfield Presbyterian) for another 21 years. She was ordained as a Deacon in 1990 and has served faithfully since. Deacon Lewis has two children, six grandchildren and four great grandchildren. Deacon Lewis served as Deacon Board Chairperson for 3 years and as Recording Secretary for 6+ years. She has served as a Trustee Board member and secretary for 6 consecutive years, and the Spiritual Life Committee member and secretary for 10+ years. She is a member and secretary of the Presbyterian Women group (ongoing), a member of Ruth Circle (a prayer group), the Usher Board (ongoing), and as Liturgist (ongoing).

Kirkland Lindsay is the sole surviving charter member of New Hope Lutheran Church, a congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, which was formed by the 1973 merger of three predecessor Lutheran congregations. In 1960, Kirkland (along with his two brothers) became a young member of Incarnation Lutheran Church, one of the three congregations. Remarkably, in 2018, Kirkland and three other members or friends of New Hope who were in the same confirmation class from half a century ago, still attend worship regularly at New Hope. During Kirkland’s relationship with Incarnation Lutheran Church, he served as Organist and Choir Director for 6 years, as Vice president of Incarnation’s church council for a year, and as a member of Incarnation’s church council for three years. With the creation of New Hope Lutheran Church, Kirkland served as Director of New Hope’s Men’s Chorus for 12 years, as Chair of New Hope’s Call committee for 1½ years, a member of New Hope’s church council for 6 years, a member of New Hope’s Worship and Music committee for 15 years, a member of New Hope’s Finance Committee for 12 years, and as the Editor of New Hope’s “Connections News Magazine” for 4 years, during two separate periods of its publication. He also has been a leader of New Hope’s significant music ministry as substitute organist and choir director during musician vacancies. Above and beyond the “positions” that Kirkland has filled for both Incarnation and New Hope Lutheran churches, he has been the acknowledged voice in the community of Lutheran theology, doctrine and practice, as applied, interpreted and elucidated by the Black Church tradition in the United States. His breadth of understanding and depth of faith have enriched the life of commitment and service of both Incarnation and New Hope for more than half a century. Kirkland’s commitment to do God’s work with his being through the community of New Hope Lutheran Church has enlivened the koinonia committed to Christ in Jamaica and its surrounds for decades.

Sis. Barbara Nevels is a wife and mother who volunteers tirelessly in our church. She is a vital member of our congregation helping out wherever she is needed. When necessary, she will go to church after work to print programs for funerals and special events. She is at her post every Sunday morning working with the multi-media ministry, posting the hymns and scriptures on the church monitors for our services. She is also responsible for printing our monthly news journal. She was our Women’s Day chairperson for two years where she organized events to bring the women together and raise funds for our church.

Lenmarie Pascall is passionate about reaching out to our community. She spearheaded many community projects such as “Ices and Prayer, Hot Chocolate and Prayer” and “Cheers and Prayer,” where NYI members gave ices, hot chocolate, Christmas candies and cookies to people with an offer of prayer. As such they were able to witness to others. For Dr. Martin Luther King Day in 2016, the NYI partnered with a Jewish organization and made teddy bears to be donated to orphanages. Currently, she is a member of the Youth for Christ organization and works with the Manhattan Leadership as a mentor. She has served as a Sunday School Teacher, Vice President and President of Nazarene Youth International (NYI Unfinished Youth), and as a Minister & Children’s Church Teacher.

It is with deep gratitude and honor that Amoy Ramirez be recognized as a Faith Servant. Since coming to the Temple of New Beginnings Christian Center, she has proven to be a Christian who loves to serve. She participates in worship services, Sunday School, and is always helping the congregation through her financial support. She has a heart for the Lord and is always eager to assist. When asked to assist the Church for the Christmas Luncheon, she went around helping to purchase the items we needed. She has an eager spirit to learn and study the works of God. It is a pleasure to have her in the congregation.

Joel Sameth was born in Brooklyn. His parents always taught him respect for country and God. He loves children, fishing, and riding his Harley Davidson, and always is at charity benefits for disabled children, cancer, and many others. He is currently semi-retired and takes care of the church even when he’s not asked to. Whenever a problem arises, you know you can count on him to be there for support – spiritually, emotionally and physically. He lost everything he owned in Hurricane Sandy, and still is grateful to be alive and continues to help others in need. He always puts others in need before himself. He is the most selfless person we know and love. He lost his parents one month apart from each other, and is a sympathetic ear to others who are grieving. His motto is spreading love all over the universe, and having integrity in everything he does for others. He lives Matthew 25:31-40. He has been a Deacon of the church since 2014.

Lilly Smith is a faithful worker in the Grace Moravian Church, Springfield Gatdens. Sis. Smith commenced her spiritual journey at the Grace Moravian Church through her baptism and nurtured through the Sunday School and Youth Fellowship Ministry, and continues to grow as a communicant member. She has served on various church committees, including the 35th Anniversary Committee and Anniversary Concert Committee (celebrating the Steel Ensemble and Praise Dance Ministry) She is currently the coordinator of the Praise Dance Ministry, which is celebrating its 15th anniversary this year. She is currently serving as the secretary of the Christian Education Committee. She has given support to our Annual Vacation Bible School where she demonstrated her leadership skills in directing the program with dedication and tenacity, This year, she was appointed director of this summer program. Her other involvements include being a member of the Joyful Noise Choir, J.U.I.C.E. (Young Adult) Ministry, worship leader and mentorship to our young girls. Sis. Smith is very ecumenical in her ministry, working with other faith communities through the Dance Ministry. A faithful, dedicated and growing Christian whose captivating personality and sincere affection replicates the love of Christ within her heart.

Rev. Harold Vancooten, is truly, a conscientious, dedicated and humble man of God. He has engaged as an active pastor, teacher, poet and minister at Liberty Church. He has demonstrated a sincere and loving concern for all people; he never shunned anyone who seeks his help and guidance, whether he knows you or not. For many years he served in Guyana as a pastor and district moderator. He is an ordained minister and an assistant pastor, the director for our Men’s fellowship, Director of Missions, a board administration member of Liberty Church. We thank God for his valuable ministry in the community, and pray that his days be lengthened, and that the Spirit’s unction always rest upon him. May the Lord richly bless him and his family.

Mrs. Christine Watts, a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Christ In Rosedale, is a truly devout and faithful member of this parish, who, though a paid teacher at our parish’s Christ Lutheran School, spends countless (unpaid) extra hours volunteering for the school. She has been in many ways more like a mother than a teacher to the school children, even picking them up and bringing them to school when parents have no way to get them there. In addition, she is president of the church council, sings in the church choir, serves as a lay reader, helps with a variety of social ministry projects, is always ready to help her congregation in any way she can, and was recently approved for ordination to the diaconate by our denomination, the Lutheran Church-International, at its 2018 Synod Assembly held in July at First Lutheran Church, Lyons, New York. She was ordained to the diaconate on September 30, 2018. Mrs. Watts is much-loved and appreciated by our congregation.