Bill Text: NY J02549 | 2021-2022 | General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the Greater New Zion FBH Church of White Plains, New York

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2022-05-17 - ADOPTED [J02549 Detail]

Download: New_York-2021-J02549-Introduced.html

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Senate Resolution No. 2549

BY: Senator STEWART-COUSINS

        COMMEMORATING the 100th Anniversary of the Greater
        New Zion FBH Church of White Plains, New York

  WHEREAS,  The  quality  and  character  of life in New York State is
greatly enriched by its religious  institutions  and  the  faithful  and
generous  service of those who devote themselves to endeavors of family,
faith, and community; and

  WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to  recognize  and
commend  institutions  of  such  magnanimous  conduct  and bearing which
demonstrate a deep and continuing concern for others, and in  so  doing,
inspire others to do the same; and

  WHEREAS,  Attendant  to  such  concern  and  in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this  Legislative  Body  is  justly  proud  to
commemorate  the 100th Anniversary of the Greater New Zion FBH Church of
White Plains, New York; and

  WHEREAS, In May of 1922, a group of  seven  devout  Christians  from
White  Plains,  New  York,  who  formed  a group for the sole purpose of
serving God and worshipping together, sent for the  Elder  of  the  Fire
Baptized Holiness (FBH) Church of the Americas; and

  WHEREAS,  Elder C.A. Mills came to White Plains and brought with him
Sister Mary F. Bell and Sister Alice Hutchinson,  who  he  appointed  as
Pastor of this new congregation; and

  WHEREAS, In 1925, the church group occupied a place on Warren Avenue
and  remained  there  until  1927,  when  Reverend  Henry  Long lead the
building of the Greater New Zion FBH Church on its present site; and

  WHEREAS, Through the years, this vital institution continued to grow
and in 1958, Pastor Dr. J.J. Martin made  many  necessary  improvements,
including  new  lighting,  pews,  bathrooms  and  windows,  as well as a
kitchen and dining room, a new heating system and a study; and

  WHEREAS, Dr. J.J. Martin remained as Pastor for 24 years  until  his
election  as  Presiding Bishop of the Third Episcopal Diocese of the FBH
Church Movement in 1982; and

  WHEREAS, In November of 1991, during the annual convention  for  the
Charleston,  South  Carolina  District,  Reverend  Lee Cobbs was sent to
White Plains to serve as Pastor of the Greater New Zion FBH  Church;  he
was an extraordinary preacher, leader and educator, and was instrumental
in  the  establishment  of  the  church's  annual  week-long anniversary
celebrations; and

  WHEREAS, Reverend Elton Willoughby was then assigned  as  Pastor  of
the church in October of 1997; and

  WHEREAS, Today, under the able leadership of its Pastor and District
President,  Reverend  Alfreda Poinsette, and its District Elder, Mark A.
Ballew, the Greater New Zion FBH Church now stands on the  threshold  of

tomorrow,  prepared  to meet the challenges of the coming decades, while
retaining that spiritual resolve which has so characterized its glorious
past; and

  WHEREAS,  It  is the custom of this Legislative Body to take note of
enduring religious institutions and to bring such  institutions  to  the
attention of the people of this Empire State; now, therefore, be it

  RESOLVED,  That  this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
acknowledge and pay just tribute to the Greater New Zion FBH  Church  of
White   Plains,  New  York,  upon  the  joyous  occasion  of  its  100th
Anniversary, noting with gratitude and respect the ministry it  caringly
provides on behalf of its congregation; and be it further

  RESOLVED,  That  copies  of  this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Reverend Alfreda Poinsette, Pastor  and  New  England
District  President;  and  The  Reverend  Mark  A.  Ballew,  New England
District Elder, Greater New Zion FBH Church.