Senate Resolution No. 1874

BY: Senator COMRIE

CONGRATULATING The Reverend Father Darryl F. James
upon the occasion of his retirement after 35 years
of distinguished ministry to the residents of
Queens, New York

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 custom of this Legislative Body to bring full
recognition 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 congratulate The
Reverend Father Darryl F. James upon the occasion of his retirement
after 35 years of distinguished ministry to the residents of Queens, New
York; and

WHEREAS, For the last 12 years, Reverend Father Darryl F. James has
served as the Rector of the historic Grace Episcopal Church in Jamaica,
Queens, the position from which he will officially retire in June of
2019; and

WHEREAS, This auspicious milestone will be celebrated over the
course of three days with a myriad of events from June 21-23, 2019,
including a Gala held on Saturday, June 22, 2019, at Terrace on the Park
in Flushing, New York; and

WHEREAS, Darryl Farrar James was born to Laurayne (Farrar) and
Anthony James, Sr. on July 3, 1954, in Bridgeport, Connecticut, and grew
up in both Richmond, Virginia, and Spring Valley, New York; in 1975, he
earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Howard University, and four
years later, his Master of Divinity degree from Yale University; and

WHEREAS, After graduating, Darryl F. James was assigned to Trinity
Cathedral in Newark, New Jersey, where he worked under the tutelage of
Dean Dillard Robinson; he was then ordained as a deacon in 1984, at St.
Matthew's and St. Joseph's Church, where he was also appointed Assistant
for Youth and Young Adult Ministries; and

WHEREAS, In 1985, Darryl F. James was ordained to the priesthood by
the Reverend John M. Burgess in Detroit, Michigan; later that year, he
became the Rector of the Messiah-St. Bartholomew Church in Chicago,
Illinois, where he remained for 21 years; and

WHEREAS, Reverend Darryl F. James was subsequently named to the
Chicago School Board, serving from 1990-1995; also in 1990, he was named
the National President of the Union of Black Episcopalians; and

WHEREAS, In 2007, Reverend Darryl F. James became the
Priest-in-Charge of the Grace Episcopal Church in Jamaica, Queens; three
years later, he assumed the role as church Rector; and

WHEREAS, In this capacity, Reverend Darryl F. James launched several
initiatives including the Bishop Thompson, Jr. Summer Music and Arts
Workshop, the annual Father's Day Men of Valor Luncheon, and the
Volunteers Appreciation Dinner; and

WHEREAS, In 2005, Reverend Darryl F. James, in partnership with St.
Luke's Episcopal Church, assisted Hurricane Katrina victims in New
Orleans, Louisiana, providing aid and performing mission work in the
region; this compassionate man also participated in a pilgrimage to
Northern India, visiting the Diocese of Mumbai and North India in Delhi,
and sponsored college tours for prospective college students throughout
the United States; and

WHEREAS, As a member of the Diocese of Long Island and the Queens
community, Reverend Darryl F. James joined the Investment Committee and
the Episcopal Health Service Board of Managers, and co-founded the
Downtown Jamaica Clergy; later, he served as President of the Queens
Federation of Churches; and

WHEREAS, Reverend Father Darryl F. James has brought to his ministry
an overwhelming spirit of charity and compassion, acting from vision and
enlightenment in conducting his administrative and spiritual duties,
while always displaying the highest standards of personal and
professional integrity and dedication; and

WHEREAS, This distinguished man of God has always given guidance and
wisdom to the many entrusted to his 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
individual for the edification of others; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate The Reverend Father Darryl Farrar James upon the occasion
of his retirement after 35 years of distinguished ministry to the
residents of Queens, New York, noting his unremitting and compassionate
faith and his exemplary service to God, man, and his community, and
extending to him 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
transmitted to The Reverend Father Darryl Farrar James.