Assembly Resolution No. 307

BY: M. of A. Buttenschon

HONORING Rome Wesleyan Community Church upon the
occasion of its designation for special recognition
by the New York State Office for the Aging on May
21, 2019

WHEREAS, Religious institutions, and the many spiritual, social and
educational benefits they confer, play a vital role in the development
of the moral fabric of a responsible citizenry; and

WHEREAS, It is the tradition of this State and this Nation to pay
tribute to those institutions and individuals who have contributed to
the ethical and spiritual values of their communities; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Rome
Wesleyan Community Church upon the occasion of its designation for
special recognition by the New York State Office for the Aging at its
Annual Older New Yorker's Day Celebration on Tuesday, May 21, 2019, at
the Hart Theatre Lounge in The Egg, Albany, New York; and

WHEREAS, Rome Wesleyan Community Church is a small organization
which works tirelessly to serve and aid its community, especially senior
citizens, through the efforts of numerous volunteers within the
congregation; and

WHEREAS, This past year, Rome Wesleyan Community Church relocated to
a better location in the inner City to better serve the community with a
large parking lot, children's outdoor play area, multi-functional
basement area equipped with classrooms, kitchen and dining area; and

WHEREAS, The Community Church also provides a soup kitchen which
serves lunch and breakfast on the weekends to over 200 clients; in April
of 2019, they began serving bag lunches for the community on Monday,
Wednesday, and Friday, and during the holidays, the Church passes out
gifts and hosts a family-style dinner for many of its neighbors; and

WHEREAS, In addition, Rome Wesleyan Community Church offers Cancer
Support Group meetings which are staffed by volunteers from the
community and are overseen by the congregation's Senior Pastor, the
Reverend Arthur Atkinsons, Sr.; and

WHEREAS, In the future, Rome Wesleyan Community Church plans to
establish a woman's shelter in Rome, New York, for those who have
overcome obstacles and wish to re-enter the community as the valued
citizens they are; and

WHEREAS, Rome Wesleyan Community Church stands on the threshold of
tomorrow, prepared to meet the challenges of the coming decades while
retaining that spiritual resolve which characterizes its 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
honor Rome Wesleyan Community Church upon the occasion of its
designation for special recognition by the New York State Office for the
Aging on May 21, 2019; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Rome Wesleyan Community Church.