Fenimore Road United Methodist Church (FSUMC), on the nook of Fenimore Road and Rogers Avenue in Brooklyn, celebrated its one hundred and thirty fifth anniversary just lately. On Saturday, there was a luncheon and style present, and the following day, there was a church service.
On Sunday, through the common worship service, congregants celebrated the landmark church’s one hundred and thirty fifth anniversary with lofty singing, praying, preaching, scripture studying, and liturgical dancing.
In her sermon, entitled “By it All,” the Rev. Dr. Elizabeth Abel, Lengthy Island West District Superintendent of the United Methodist Church, preached: “We’re dwelling in a time that we by no means lived earlier than. This yr is totally different than final October. Issues are so out of whack.
“I titled my sermon as a result of, via all of it, we now have to belief our Jesus,” added Rev. Abel, with the church’s pastor, the Rev. Roger Jackson, listening attentively on the pulpit. “You might have determined as a congregation to outlive for one more 135, 136, 137 years. However what is going to you do in the present day to import your presents on these lovely youngsters?
“You might have younger adults who’re itching to serve God. Allow them to use their voices,” she continued. “There are too, too many generations which can be lacking. Put them in positions of management. Mentor them.
“I’m so excited for the work you’ve achieved and proceed to do,” Rev. Abel stated. “You’re blessed. The scripture talks about coming collectively and sharing your presents. Please go and share your presents with others.”
Throughout the service, there was a second of silence for 2 just lately departed members, Sis. Cecille “Peggy” White and Sis. Minerva Beaton.
“The order of worship was very uplifting and religious because the organists, Bro. Joseph Robert and Sis Herline Floviril harmonized the songs of reward on the organ, piano, and keyboard with Bro. Christian Thompson on the drums,” Sis. Marlene Ferguson, the Trinidadian-born chair of the Anniversary Committee, instructed Caribbean Life.
“With such highly effective renditions – ‘Nice is Thy Faithfulness,’ ‘Victory in Jesus’, ‘We’re Marching to Zion’ – I knew the angels had been rejoicing with us,” she added. “Certainly, we felt their presence amongst us. I give glory and honor to God for the nice issues he has achieved.”
Based on the church’s historical past, learn partly by Sis. Linda Brown, an African-American member of the Anniversary Committee and Chancel Choir, Fenimore United Methodist Church of Flatbush was organized out of the primary Methodist Episcopal Church on Lenox Highway and Flatbush Avenue and included on Aug. 20, 1889.
The church was formally admitted to the New York East convention in April 1890 and devoted in Might 1890. Rev. James J. Corridor served as pastor from 1890-1894.
In early 1970, the Wesley Methodist Church merged with Fenimore Road United Methodist Church.
Many new applications had been launched throughout this era, particularly, the annual silent supper, singles ministry for younger adults and youth, summer time camp and tutoring, well being and welfare program, heritage and better instructional program, revival and evangelism program, a senior middle, drama and artistic writing applications for all, and heritage directions on all ranges.
In early 1972, Fenimore confronted the problem of maintaining its doorways open when it was given an choice to merge with St. Mark’s United Methodist Church.
However, with agency willpower and resolve, Fenimore was victorious in maintaining the church locally, in line with the church’s historical past.
Throughout Rev. Lester Baker’s pastorate (1974 – 1980), intensive renovations had been achieved. In 1978, the church constructing was re-dedicated, and a computerized Allen Organ was bought and devoted to the late Dr. Donald Wright.
Beneath the steerage of Rev. Neville Buchanan (1980 -1993), important accomplishments had been made, together with liquidating the church’s mortgage with a ceremonial “burning.”
Guyanese Rev. Dr. Ivan J. Roberts (1994 – 2002) (deceased) introduced extra progress, bodily to the church constructing and spiritually to the congregation.
He guided the primary “Rally of the Nations” with the proceeds used to buy a church van and air conditioners for the Sanctuary and the Fellowship Corridor. Throughout this time, the church purchased a six-family unit close by at 201 Hawthorne St., Brooklyn.
In 2002, African-American the Rev. Dr. Maxine Nixon was appointed Fenimore’s first feminine minister. Rev. Dr. Maxine Nixon initiated many new ministries, together with Disciple Bible Examine.
She additionally spearheaded a second profitable “Rally of the Nations”; and, with the proceeds, the renovations of the Fellowship Corridor and kitchen had been completed. The church’ music ministry grew to 6 choirs. There had been additionally a “vibrant” Dance Ministry, Singles Ministry, Prayer sit-ins, and Therapeutic Ministry.
“I am, certainly, extraordinarily proud to be the anniversary chairperson for such a time as this and to be given the honour to coordinate the celebrations of our church’s one hundred and thirty fifth Anniversary,” stated Ferguson, a retired registered nurse at SUNY Downstate Medical Heart and College Hospital of Brooklyn, noting the anniversary theme, “Shifting Ahead Collectively in Religion.”
“Our anniversary celebration is a really distinctive time within the lifetime of the church,” she added. “It’s the time once we reunite with pals of Fenimore, who had been unable to worship with us earlier than however at all times take to hitch us on this big day. I stay up for seeing them joyfully marching round at offertory time, greeting everybody as they go us by.”
Ferguson stated the Anniversary Committee members are an “asset to the continued commemoration and celebration of the church’s historical past.
“I lengthen a heartfelt thanks to my co-chair, Sis. Doreen Thomas (a Jamaican-born retired registered nurse), and the committee members for his or her assist and dedication,” she added. “I additionally need to thank them for my Service Award plaque, which was, certainly, an honor and stunning for me.”
The committee offered Rev. Ready with a bouquet of flowers and honored youth members Christian Thompson and Phillip Gulbert.
“As we glance again over the previous 135 years, we’re conscious that we couldn’t have achieved it with out the devoted service and dedication of the ancestors, who struggled via trials and tribulations,” Ferguson stated. “As we enter one other milestone into the lifetime of our church, we have to improve a stronger relationship locally, thereby profitable souls for God’s kingdom.
“Might God’s richest blessings enfold us, ‘Shifting ahead collectively in Religion’ (Romans1:11-12),” she added.
