Pastor's Monthly Article (June 2016)
Welcome summer!
A summer welcome it is with lots and lots of exciting happenings within the life of our congregation. The most joyful surprise this season - the Newtown Puppets are going to Broadway!
This event became possible thanks to an ecumenical ministry initiated by Lester Lin, a dear friend, visionary and member of the Newtown Reformed Church in Elmhurst. By July 2015, within three months of my arrival, we had formed and established a new ecumenical ministry, the Elmhurst Ministry Network. This faith based community of pastors, lay ministers, and friends share the love for this community. Ever since, we’ve become an active and spiritually healthy body of believers who share a mutual feeling of respect for one another. Needless to say, but within this togetherness as partners in ministry, we’ve come far, grown, and seen the result of our efforts led by the One and the same Savior!
In regard to this, the New York City Department of Transportation invited organizations from Elmhurst and Corona to participate in what is referred to as a “One Day Plaza” event, at the Clement Clark Moore Park, located at the intersection of Broadway and 45th Avenue. Despite the title of the event, the One Day Plaza will be featured over the course of two full days with activities, with much to do and see for the entire family. The event calls for the goal of making Elmhurst and Corona more beautiful. Coming together, we can make it happen! With the help of another dear friend and visionary, Rev. Redd Sevilla, Executive Director of the New Life Ministries Church in Elmhurst, the Newtown Puppets were invited to be part of what has every potential to become a fun-filled and historical event.
If you are planning to come and support these two important days for Elmhurst and Corona, mark your calendars for June 10 and 11. A schedule of activities and events is forthcoming and will be posted. Saturday, June 11 at 12:00 PM is when the Newtown Puppets are scheduled to perform. The puppet show will feature scenes from our last performance, “Proud to Be a Christian.” We are blessed to be given the opportunity and ever so excited for our children and youth to experience this kind of outreach to our community with yes, a “grand debut” on Broadway!
I am also excited to share that as part of my continuing education, I will be travelling, attending seminars, and visiting with other clergy during the second part of June. The gathering is part of a broad, ongoing national and international ecumenical dialogue. It will have a special focus on emphasizing faith communities currently not in ecclesiastical partnership with the Presbyterian Church (USA). Ecumenism is an area close to my heart. Therefore, it is with great interest that I continue to look for new venues through which we can enter into meaning and fruitful dialogue across denominations.
On a final note, our youth will also have the opportunity to meet, greet, and share with youth of other faith communities and churches this summer. Our mission trip to Illinois will present many ways in which we as believers of the ONE triune God can work together as full partners in Christ’s ministry - a ministry that never ever sleeps, but is ongoing, just like God’s love. A day to day coverage will be featured on our church’s web site and Facebook page as well as a slide show presentation in church later on this year. Please keep our youth, chaperons, and pastor in your prayers for safe and blessed travel. A special thank you to all who have supported our youth in pursuing their goal of raising the funds necessary for this mission trip, your prayers and generosity is heartfelt.
The release of the next monthly news article will be on August 1. Wishing you and yours a wonderful summer, enjoying all of God’s beautiful creation!
In Christ,
Pastor Anette
