LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 116th Anniversary of Vanderveer
Park United Methodist Church on October 17, 2016

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, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commem-
orate the 116th Anniversary of Vanderveer Park United Methodist Church
on Monday, October 17, 2016, in Brooklyn, New York; and
WHEREAS, Located on in the East Flatbush community of Brooklyn,
Vanderveer Park United Methodist Church stands humbly, prayerfully,
meditatively and joyfully after faithfully serving the spiritual needs
of its community for many years; and
WHEREAS, With a vibrant congregation of more than 800 members, Vander-
veer Park United Methodist Church maintains over 30 ministries including
programs to provide wholesome meals to people of Far Rockaway, New York
who still experience hardship from Hurricane Sandy; its Welcome Table
program also offers a well-balanced meal to anyone on the last Saturday
of the month; and
WHEREAS, This esteemed religious community opens its doors to homeless
men for food, beds, shelter and showers three nights per week, and has
partnered with the New York City Health Department as a host site to
offer Diabetes Prevention Classes; and
WHEREAS, In addition, Vanderveer Park United Methodist Church's Read-
ing Is Essential program gives free books, weekly, to children who need
to strengthen their reading proficiency; its volunteers also work with
young people from early childhood to young adulthood as reading mentors;
and
WHEREAS, Furthermore, Vanderveer Park United Methodist Church's
W.A.N.T.E.D. (Worthy, Accountable, Named, Thankful and Determined)
Project strives to mentor teenage boys in the East Flatbush, Brooklyn
community; and
WHEREAS, Today, Vanderveer Park United Methodist 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
commemorate the 116th Anniversary of Vanderveer Park United Methodist
Church on October 17, 2016; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Vanderveer Park United Methodist Church, Brooklyn, New York.