With lofty singing, praying, preaching, studying of scriptures and liturgical dancing, congregants at Fenimore Road United Methodist Church on the nook of Fenimore Road and Rogers Avenue in Brooklyn on Sunday celebrated the landmark church’s 134th anniversary.
The church’s African-American pastor, the Rev. Roger Jackson, introduced the Phrase, on “Rising Stronger, Rising Deeper, Reaching Larger in Religion”, within the three-hour-long Worship Service, organized by the church’s Anniversary Committee, chaired by Trinidadian-born Retired Nurse Marlene Ferguson.
Council Member Rita Joseph, the Haitian-born consultant for the 40th Council District that encompasses the church, attended the service, giving a quotation to Rev. Jackson for the church.
“It’s with nice honor that I stand earlier than you in the present day on this momentous event, as we collect to commemorate the 134th anniversary of our beloved Fenimore Church,” stated Joseph, chair of the Metropolis Council’s Training Committee. “With deep gratitude and a coronary heart filled with unwavering religion, I be a part of you in celebrating this outstanding milestone.
“The theme for this Anniversary Yr resonates profoundly inside us: ‘Rising Stronger, Rising Deeper, Reaching Larger in Religion,’ impressed by the highly effective phrases of Isaiah 40:31,” she added. “As we replicate on our non secular journey, we’re reminded that life typically presents us with challenges and obstacles. Nonetheless, it’s via our steadfast religion within the Lord that we discover the energy to persevere.”
Joseph stated Isaiah 40:31 “fantastically captures this reality: ‘However those that hope within the Lord will renew their energy. They are going to soar on wings like eagles; they are going to run and never develop weary. They are going to stroll and never be faint.’”
She stated these phrases function “a guiding gentle for us as we glance again on the unimaginable journey of Fenimore Church.
“Over 134 years, we’ve got grown as a religion neighborhood, going through adversity with unwavering religion and triumphing over numerous trials,” the council member stated. “Our unity and dedication have been the muse of our progress, enabling us to beat challenges that when appeared insurmountable.
“We’re additionally deepening, not solely in our religion however in {our relationships}, understanding, and compassion,” she added. “As we nurture the bonds of our religion neighborhood, we change into a pressure of affection and empathy, all the time prepared to increase a serving to hand to these in want.”
Rev. Jackson preached that “our religion is stronger”, including that “it comes from God.
“The bible says, ‘blessed are those that belief in God’”, he stated. “We’ve come to date by religion. We maintain trusting in God. Our religion is our sustaining energy. We’re recognized by our good fruit.
“Our God takes care of those that belief in Him,” Rev. Jackson added. “Might we maintain companion in religion. So, we thank God for 134 years. We solely go larger and deeper if we act and stroll by religion.
“God is rewarding for us to carry on to Him,” he continued. “Be inspired and proceed to stroll by religion.”
The Younger Grownup Reward Group, the Sunday College youngsters, the liturgical dances and the United Voices of Reward had been amongst contributors within the uplifting celebration.
“Giving honor, glory and all hallelujah to our God who has saved this historic landmark standing 134 years at 276 Fenimore Road, I’m proud to be a member of this landmark,” stated Ferguson, who can be chair of the church’s Household Life Committee, earlier than presenting, with co-chair Jamaican Doreen Thomas, a bouquet of flowers to First Girl Sis. Kim, spouse of Pastor Jackson, and awards to, amongst others, Rev. Jackson and Jeffrey Adolphus, the church’s former organist, who has retired to Belize, his place of birth.
“On behalf of our pastor, Rev. Roger. Jackson, officers and members of this nice church and the Anniversary Committee, we thank each one who has joined us in individual and people of you who’re viewing us stay on YouTube,” Ferguson added. “I belief that the service was a blessing to you. I do hope that in the present day one thing within the pastor’s messages has touched your soul to rekindle that need for a better stroll with God, as all of us battle alongside that pathway.”
She additionally gave particular because of the Younger Grownup Reward Group; UVOP; Sunday College youngsters; liturgical dancers; Anniversary Committee; and Pals of Fenimore, alumni and sick-shut-in.
“I can not clarify this Agape love you all have for us right here at Fenimore,” stated Ferguson, turning to the alumni. “We’re grateful for all that you’ve got been doing for us. We admire your generosity. You’ll all the time be in our prayers.”
In line with the church’s historical past, learn, partially 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 was integrated on Aug. 20, 1889.
The church was formally admitted to the New York East convention in April of 1890 and devoted in Might of 1890. Rev. James J. Corridor served as pastor from 1890-1894.
Rev. C.S. Williams (1894-1898) devoted the Sunday College Room, which is now the prolonged sanctuary on Sunday, Oct. 8, 1897. The parsonage was in-built 1900.
Through the ministry of Rev. H.C. Whitney, (1926 – 1936) the body of the buildings of the parsonage and church had been “stuccoed.” A social corridor and well-equipped kitchen had been additionally constructed.
Throughout Rev. I. Hemmingway’s ministry (1951-1960), the membership grew to become extra built-in, with many Black households worshiping at Fenimore.
Rev James Veatch succeeded Rev. Hemmingway in 1960 as a pupil pastor. After his ordination, he was formally appointed. His ministry was characterised by robust civil rights actions.
In early 1970, the Wesley Methodist Church merged with Fenimore Road United Methodist Church.
Many new packages had been launched throughout this era, particularly, the annual silent supper, singles ministry for younger adults and youth, summer season camp and tutoring, well being and welfare program, heritage and better instructional program, revival and evangelism program, a senior middle, drama and inventive writing packages for all, and heritage directions on all ranges.
In early 1972, Fenimore was confronted with the problem of preserving its doorways open, when it was given an choice to merge with St. Mark’s United Methodist Church.
However, with robust dedication and resolve, Fenimore was victorious in preserving the church in the neighborhood, in keeping with the church’s historical past.
Through the pastorate of Rev. Lester Baker (1974 – 1980), intensive renovations had been finished. 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 steering of Rev. Neville Buchanan (1980 -1993), vital accomplishments had been made, together with the liquidation of the church’s mortgage with a ceremonial “burning.”
Guyanese Rev. Dr. Ivan J. Roberts (1994 – 2002) (deceased) introduced in additional 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. A six-family unit was bought at 201 Hawthorne Road, Brooklyn throughout this time.
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 achieved. The church’ music ministry grew to 6 choirs. There have been additionally a “vibrant” Dance Ministry, Singles Ministry, Prayer sit-ins, and Therapeutic Ministry.
“We now have the addition of our present pastor, the Rev. Roger Jackson, and his spouse, First Girl, Sis. Kim Jackson, serving as neighborhood caregivers, church builders, uplifting leaders, and valiant nurturers, assembly the duties of our current wants each bodily and spiritually,” Brown stated.
“As they acquaint themselves in our neighborhood, Rev. Jackson and his spouse have proven an unwavering devotion and repair to the households of the Flatbush, Brooklyn neighborhood and our ever-growing youth and particular wants inhabitants — a novel pastor who has a heat understanding of what a church wants on this time,” she added.
“Regardless of our many challenges, Fenimore Road United Methodist Church, via its previous and current ministers, we’ve got been in a position to stand as a beacon of hope and love on the nook of Rogers and Fenimore Road,” Brown continued.
