LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Reverend Pauline Wardell-Sankoh upon
the occasion of her retirement after 15 years of dedicated service to
the John Wesley United Methodist Church

WHEREAS, The character and richness of religious and community life in
this noble Empire State is 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
and the ministry through their unremitting commitment and preeminence of
service; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend Reverend
Pauline Wardell-Sankoh upon the occasion of her retirement after 15
years of dedicated service to the John Wesley United Methodist Church;
and
WHEREAS, A native of Lewiston, North Carolina, Reverend Pauline
Wardell-Sankoh moved to New York City at the age of seven; all her
schooling, except seventh and eighth grades, which she did in North
Carolina, was received in the New York City public school and undergrad-
uate system; and
WHEREAS, Reverend Pauline Wardell-Sankoh graduated with honors from
Drew Theological School; while there, she received the Newton Davies New
Testament Award, the Delaplaine McDaniel Fellowship for outstanding
academic accomplishment and promise for ministry, and received an award
for outstanding pulpit oratory and mannerism; and
WHEREAS, Reverend Pauline Wardell-Sankoh was active in the life of the
seminary as student body president for two years and commencement speak-
er for her graduating class; she was a member of the Drew Alumni Execu-
tive Board and is now a Drew Trustee; and
WHEREAS, Reverend Pauline Wardell-Sankoh has served as the pastor of
John Wesley United Methodist Church in Brooklyn, New York for the past
15 years; and
WHEREAS, Prior to that, Reverend Pauline Wardell-Sankoh was the pastor
of The Church of the Good Shepherd UMC in West Hempstead and South
Floral Park UMC in Long Island, all in the New York Annual Conference of
the United Methodist Church; and
WHEREAS, A valued and involved member of her community, Reverend
Pauline Wardell-Sankoh is a former president of the Metropolitan
District United Methodist Women, and worked on the New York Annual
Conference School of Christian Mission Team for many years, serving as
Publicity Chair, Assistant Dean, and finally Dean of the School; and
WHEREAS, Reverend Pauline Wardell-Sankoh is currently a member of the
Episcopacy Committee and a member of the Conference Board of Ordained
Ministry; and
WHEREAS, Moreover, Reverend Pauline Wardell-Sankoh is a member of the
board of directors for the Bethany Methodist Home of Brooklyn, Chair of
the board of the United Interfaith Council of Brooklyn, Inc., and a
member of the executive board of the United Methodist City Society where
she chairs the Childcare Committee; and
WHEREAS, Reverend Pauline Wardell-Sankoh has brought to her ministry
an overwhelming spirit of charity and compassion, acting from vision and
enlightenment in conducting her administrative and spiritual duties,
while always displaying the highest standards of personal and profes-
sional integrity and dedication; and
WHEREAS, This distinguished woman of God has always given enlight-
enment, guidance and wisdom to the many entrusted to her care and has

administered abundantly and unstintingly to the spiritual and corporal
needs of all; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when a person
of such noble aims and accomplishments is brought to our attention it is
appropriate to publicly and jubilantly proclaim and commend that indi-
vidual for the edification of others; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Reverend Pauline Wardell-Sankoh upon the occasion of her retire-
ment after 15 years of dedicated service to the John Wesley United Meth-
odist Church, noting her unremitting and compassionate faith and her
exemplary service to God, man, and her community, and extending to her
the heartfelt best wishes of this Legislative Body for a future of
purposeful success and well-being; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Reverend Pauline Wardell-Sankoh.