LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Joyce McDonald upon the occasion of
her ordination into the ministry of the Christian faith

WHEREAS, The character and richness of religious and community life in
this noble Empire State are nourished and fulfilled through the faithful
concern and selfless devotion of those who would commit their energies
and purpose to the ministry of others; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to bring full recog-
nition and just tribute to those individuals who distinguish themselves
through their unremitting commitment and preeminence of service; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend Joyce McDo-
nald upon the occasion of her ordination into the ministry of the Chris-
tian faith on Sunday, March 29, 2009, at The Church of The Open Door in
Brooklyn, New York; and
WHEREAS, Joyce McDonald is an artist in many senses of the word; she
is, of course, a literal artist, a talented painter and sculptor, and
her works often capture in stark relief the gamut of emotions she has
experienced throughout her life; and
WHEREAS, Despite 23 years pock-marked with trials and tribulations,
Joyce McDonald displays a surprising inner calm; after her HIV diagnosis
-- as well as her AIDS diagnosis, she became an activist in her communi-
ty; she insists, however, that her activism is more something that
happened to her rather than something she strived to do; and
WHEREAS, In 1998, Joyce McDonald began working as an art therapist at
the Jewish Board of Family and Children's Services, a social service
organization that provides AIDS case management to thousands of individ-
uals throughout New York City; it was through the Jewish Board that she
first began to work in clay and paint; and
WHEREAS, More than anything, Joyce McDonald's life has become its own
work of art; her story of drug abuse, motherhood and redemption, as well
as her battle with HIV and hepatitis, is as much a piece of art as
anything she has created with paint or clay; and
WHEREAS, Not long after, Joyce McDonald joined the Visual AIDS
archive, and began exhibiting her work at churches, hospitals and
private shows throughout New York City; while taking on these new
projects, her new life was born; and
WHEREAS, Joyce McDonald is a coordinator and speaker for her church's
AIDS ministry and assistant director of its children's choir; in addi-
tion to being a minister in training at her church, she is also dedi-
cated to street ministry, and runs a group at her local women's shelter;
she also practices the art of motherhood in her relationship with her
two daughters, two sons-in-law and eight grandchildren; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individ-
uals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-
tion, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of
the great State of New York; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Joyce McDonald upon the occasion of her ordination into the
ministry of the Christian faith; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Joyce McDonald.