Nathalie has become a member for the last three years. She has played an important role in service. She helps with the worship service which includes reading scripture and assisting in setting the communion table. She has and continues to work with the recording of the financial aspects of the Church. She has tithes and offering and record keeping. She is committed to Christian values and works well with the Pastor. When called upon, Nathalie is obliging and ready to assist.

Iolanda Baciu has been a distinguished member of the parish since 2015. 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.

Raphael Charles is one of the first members of this congregation. He is the one who started driving the church bus and encouraged our fellow members to be on time for the church service. He has been teaching Sunday school for more than 30 years and became the first ordained Deacon in our church. He has a passion for the soul, every first Sunday he went to visit those who could not be able to take part in the Holy Communion. He always has a word of encouragement for others. He has never missed an opportunity to share God’s Word with others. Right now, he is one of our counselors for the church board as he is sharing his experiences with the new generation at a different level. Brother Raphael has never stopped milling even when life tried to put him down, he is like Paul to the Philippians: “Rejoice in the LORD, and again I said rejoice in the Lord....”

Cynthia Corley is nominated for the Citation of Faithful Service Award because that is exactly who she is. She is a quiet and humble leader with the ability to act as an agent of change in a selfless manner, never saying NO to anything she is asked to do for the Glory of God. New Hope was without a Pastor for five years and she worked with the churches leadership to assure that worship was active and vibrant. She has served for multiple years on the Church Council, the Worship & Music Committee, Church Choir, Christian Education Commitee, Sunday School Teacher, Pastoral Call Committee, and as Financial Secretary and Youth Group Adult Advisor. She is a founding member of the Events Committee. She has also represented the congregation in the Metropolitan New York Synod of the ELCA and other Lutheran bodies. Despite challenges, she works for the Kingdom of God with a smile, a generous heart and no complaints.

Deacon Percival Ennis has served in the house of the Lord since 1997 under the leadership of Pastor Geneva Allen, who went home with the Lord in February of this year. This dear man continues with us and serves in various capacities. He visits the elderly and shut-ins, led a neighborhood BBQ for the community this summer, shops for others as the need arises without accepting a refund. He lives in Mt. Vernon, yet he arrives early to open the church and assure the atmosphere is comfortable for members and visitors. He’s a willing and proactive servant in the house of the Lord. We acknowledge him to be a tremendous asset to this ministry.

Yolanda Jaen is a prayer warrior and a behind the scene supporter of the church. Whatever the latest mission or project the church undertakes, she would be the first to undertake the task and often be the first or the top accomplisher. Each week, she takes upon herself to clean the church, especially the kitchen. She would volunteer to lead teams of members to witness and give out the ‘blessing” which is sort of communion on the go. Yolanda has joined in prayer meetings and mobilized people to attend our religious rallies in Madison Square Garden and Nassau Colosseum. Her energy, dedication and hard work are impressive. Her love for God is evident in her services to others. She exemplifies the charge of our Lord Jesus when he said, “Love God with all your heart and soul and spirit, and love your neighbor as your self.” She has many talents she use for heaven but very modest to admit it. She is self-motivated. Often she cleans public areas such as Donation Containers that hold clothing for the poor that are run by charities such as Good Will Industries. She assists the pastor in whatever church activity the pastor asks. She is one person the pastor can rely on to raise their hand when volunteers are asked for. God has blessed us with her presence.

Sister Ruth Roseborough has been a tower of strength to Morris Brown AME Church and the community of South Ozone Park during the past twenty-three years. She is one of the most dedicated and committed officers in the Church. She epitomizes the characteristics of real servanthood, described and portrayed by Jesus in St. Mark 10:45: “For the Son of man also came not to be served but to serve...” Her meritorious service to the Church as a Trustee, Steward, Treasurer and Executive Director of the Food Pantry and Helping Hands Soup Kitchen, qualifies her for this Citation for Faithful Service.