Senate Resolution No. 1528

BY: Senator HANNON

COMMEMORATING the 175th Anniversary of the
Farmingdale United Methodist Church of Farmingdale,
New York, on May 20, 2017

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 takes pleasure in commemorating the
175th Anniversary of the Farmingdale United Methodist Church of
Farmingdale, New York, to be celebrated with a Gala Dinner on Saturday,
May 20, 2017; and

WHEREAS, The theme for this auspicious milestone is "Remember,
Rejoice, Renew"; and

WHEREAS, Since its inception, the Farmingdale United Methodist
Church has been a center of Christian life in its community through its
spiritual leadership, mission and social action, outreach and providing
weekly meals at its Soup Group; and

WHEREAS, Today, under the luminous leadership of Pastor Gunshik
Shim, the church has continued to foster personal growth and strengthen
a relationship with God by opening its doors to the community through
special holiday programs, music recitals, JC Cafe concerts, vacation
bible school and yearly 9/11 observances; and

WHEREAS, The Farmingdale United Methodist Church was established in
1842 as the Methodist Society of Farmingdale led by Philip Ketcham; the
organizational meeting was held in his home on Sunday, March 29, 1842,
when the land for the first Methodist meeting house in Farmingdale was
given to the Society by Ambrose George; and

WHEREAS, After the property was sold on July 16, 1925, the Methodist
Society of Farmingdale served as a preaching station on the Huntington
circuit and later on the Amityville circuit; on September 19, 1926, the
cornerstone was laid for the new church building, and the original bell,
organ, and pews were installed; on May 1, 1927, the present church
building was dedicated; and

WHEREAS, In 1939, the Methodist Society of Farmingdale was
officially renamed the Farmingdale United Methodist Church; and

WHEREAS, During the 1950s, there was a period of unparalleled growth
in the population of Farmingdale and the surrounding area; the
Farmingdale United Methodist Church responded to this surge in
membership by completing the Educational Building on Grant Avenue; the
building was dedicated on September 9, 1956, and continues to serve the
church and community to this day; and


WHEREAS, On October 14, 1962, J. Walter Denon donated a New Concert
Austin pipe organ in memory of his wife, Mae; the organ is well known in
the area and is truly appreciated not only by the members of the
congregation, but also by those who attend organ concerts which are part
of the church program for the community; and

WHEREAS, The 1970s and 1980s saw the renovation of the Fellowship
Hall and the installation of the elevator for handicap access to all
levels of the church; and

WHEREAS, During the 1990s, the population mix changed with more and
more new young families becoming an active part of the Farmingdale
United Methodist Church; a pre-school nursery was established providing
early child care for all members of the community, and an Adult Day Care
Center began to serve this growing segment of its community; and

WHEREAS, For 175 years, the faithful members of the Farmingdale
United Methodist Church have worshipped amidst a caring and familial
congregation who has joyfully demonstrated their capacity to love their
neighbors and to share repeatedly; and

WHEREAS, The Farmingdale 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 175th Anniversary of the Farmingdale United Methodist
Church, 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 Gunshik Shim, Pastor, the Farmingdale United Methodist
Church.