FSUMC celebrates 136th Anniversary in grand style
Under the theme “Unity in Diversity,” congregants at Fenimore Street United Methodist Church (FSUMC) in Brooklyn celebrated the church’s 136th Anniversary on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 25 and 26, with a Prayer Breakfast and Worship Service.
“This theme resonates with the past, future, and current events not only for the church but as we look back at the experiences of the trailblazers, who struggled and toiled to keep this old landmark at this location, 266 Fenimore St. and Rogers Avenue,” Sis. Marlene Ferguson, the Trinidadian-born chair of the church’s Anniversary Committee, told Caribbean Life.
Ferguson, a retired registered nurse, said the goal of the Prayer Breakfast was “not only to enhance the financial deficit, but, more importantly, to fellowship, worship, and enjoy a day of praise and laughter for the soul.
“Praise God, He never fails,” she said, stating that FSUMC’s pastor, the Rev. Roger Jackson, offered the opening prayer.
During her welcome remarks, Ferguson said she “took time to remember” the church’s trailblazers, with a moment of silence, “thanking God for their journey that has lived from generation to generation.”
She said Sis led the worship. Shani Boxhill, accompanied by the church’s organist, bro. Joseph. Roberts.
“The audience was worshipping in the spirit, rejoicing, giving glory unto the Lord,” Ferguson said. “I knew, for sure, God was in the midst.”
After serving breakfast, Ferguson said some of the church’s prayer warriors “spiritually embarked” on prayers for various causes, including a prayer for the church by Sister. Selena Lubell; prayer for unity by Sis. Jackie Goodman: Prayer for the World by Sis. Cynthia Grant, and a prayer for the youth by Sis. Dianne Brown.
Ferguson said the Prayer Breakfast culminated with games and the distribution of prizes.
During this session, Ferguson said she wanted a prize to be given to “the individual whose age was closest to the church’s birthday, 136 years.
“Would you believe there was an elder in our presence at 95 years old? She asked, disclosing that she was Sis. Margarete Burke, a retired Guyanese-born registered nurse.
“What a mighty God we serve!” Ferguson exclaimed.
She said the celebrations continued the next day, with Prof. Martin Felix, a Grenadian-born adjunct professor at Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), State University of New York (SUNY), serving as guest speaker.
Ferguson said Prof. Felix, coordinator of the Caribbean Studies Program in the Department of Social Sciences at FIT, “delivered a timely message at such a time like this.
“And, in his opening remarks, he referred to the theme ‘timely and timeless,'” she said.
“He said, ‘diversity is God’s divine plan valued by shared identity as children of God,'” Ferguson added. “He further expounded with his message, ‘Many Branches, One Vine: A Legacy of Unity in Diversity.'”
She said the Combined Choir “brought the movement of the holy spirit with a rendition, ‘The Storm is Passing Over.’
“This was an ironic moment with the actual pending storms over the Caribbean island of Jamaica,“ said Ferguson, stating that, afterwards, renowned Trinidadian-born soloist Sis. Patricia. Senhouse, “exploded the holy spirit with her rendition, ‘Here we are Lord, Lifting our Hands to You.’“
Ferguson thanked the guest liturgical dancer, Sis. Nadia James of John Hus Moravian Church on Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn.
The celebrations concluded with presentations to FSUMC First Lady Sis. Kim Jackson, and Dr. Nelson A. King and his wife, Sis. Desma King, a retired registered nurse and member of the church’s Chancel Choir, Anniversary Committee, and Family Life Ministry.
“She is dependable, dedicated, committed, and lets nothing come between her and her mission to share the love of God with everyone and everywhere,“ said Sis. Ferguson about Sis. King. “She delivers breakfast to our sick and shut-in, and to less fortunate men at street corners.
“These men were not on her assignment, but she saw the need and ensured that they received a hot breakfast from the ministry,“ Sis. Ferguson added. “She also volunteers at Bethel United Methodist every Thursday to prepare a hot breakfast for the men at the Atlantic Amory. “She is loving God and loving people.”
Ferguson, who chairs the Anniversary Committee, with Sis. Doreen Thomas, a Jamaican-born retired registered nurse, expressed a heartfelt “thank you“ to all the members of the Anniversary Committee.
“We are, indeed, a group with ‘Unity in Diversity,“ she said. “To the congregation, alumni, relocated members, friends of Fenimore, my sincere thanks for all your love and continued support. Let us stand on ‘Unity in Diversity.’“
