Senate Resolution No. 725

BY: Senator GRIFFO

COMMEMORATING the 50th Anniversary of the Evangel
Community Church

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 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 takes pleasure in commemorating the
50th Anniversary of the Evangel Community Church of Chittenango, New
York, to be celebrated on Saturday, April 22, 2023, with a memorial
banquet in Canastota, New York, and a special worship service the day
following; and

WHEREAS, The Sunday service that will honor the anniversary will
include special music and former pastors telling stories of their days
at Evangel Community Church; there will also be performances of period
songs from the 1970s through the 2020s, with former pastor Reverend Doug
Moore being the keynote speaker; and

WHEREAS, Following the special Sunday service will be a luncheon at
the Evangel Cafe, where a variety of dishes will be enjoyed and shared
over the fond recollection of the auspicious accomplishments and
cherished memories which community members share of the Church; and

WHEREAS, Evangel Assembly began as a home Bible study in 1972, and
became an official church in 1973; after moving from six locations
around Chittenango, the Church broke ground on its current site on May
11, 1975, Mother's Day that year; and

WHEREAS, Throughout the 1980s, the Evangel Church had a congregation
that numbered approximately 325 parishioners; during that time, the
Church hosted children's programs, including Royal Rangers for boys, and
Missionettes for girls, as well as a number of adult Bible study
programs; the Church's hard work continues today; and

WHEREAS, The Evangel 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, The walls of the Church have never been exclusionary,
always inviting in and standing up for marginalized communities and
those experiencing hardships; 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
commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Evangel Community Church, to be

celebrated on Saturday, April 22, 2023, fully confident that this
commemoration reflects the belief in those values which enhance the
dignity and purpose of life; and be it further

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