Joy Experienced by Those by Bowne Street Community Church Building the Beloved Community

By Sue Grecke, Bowne Street Community Church

A year ago, when Jacob Puthenparambil approached the church and said the New York Conference of the United Church of Christ and Northeast Region of the Disciples would like to hold their closing, joint meeting worship service at our church, we welcomed the opportunity. Who could imagine the amount of work we had signed on for? Who can count the blessings we received from doing so?

In preparation, as the actual day drew closer, we gathered for two Gardening Saturdays, and a Cleaning Saturday. Our yard is now a wonderful, welcoming sight. Our sanctuary has been scrubbed and polished, the fellowship halls, kitchen, basement and bathrooms have all been cleaned. Our blessings started with the practical.

Bowne Street youth hosted breakfast in the church garden.

Sunday, June 13, 2004 , dawned cool and bright. This was perfect weather for our Youth Fellowship who served breakfast to our guests on the lawn. As I walked through the yard welcoming everyone, I was so pleased to hear the same comment over and over. "This is such a nice space, what a beautiful yard!" People asked the names of our bushes. They enjoyed the flowers, but most of all, they enjoyed the obvious care the garden portrayed.
The theme of this conference was, "Building of the Beloved Community." Early that morning, we hosted a pre-service Bible Study, which was attended by about 70 people. Our youth earned about $400 toward their mission trip in July and our Sanctuary embraced over 400 people.

Jacob Puthenparambil gives a call to worship as the service begins.

The service began with a colorful procession and moved into a presentation of Liturgical Dancing. A dignified recognition of ministers and church leaders that had died in the last year brought tears from many. The children's choir, formed from many churches, was a joy to hear.

The walls of our church vibrated with the inspiring music offered by Andrew Huang, our combined choir and members of the conference. Ayana Lowe, blessed us all with her voice. Our Bible reading was graced with interpretive dance.

Over 400 persons from the worshipped together on Sunday morning, June 13, 2004.

The sermon by Rev. Burnley was illuminating and sparkled with humor.

The fellowship time following the service gave us all a chance to meet new people and enjoy the company. So many people mentioned how lovely the service was and thanked us for our hospitality. Some mentioned wanting to come and meet with our youth group and their youth group. Another wanted a copy of our youth mission agenda to bring back to her church. Others thought we could have smaller get togethers during the year and not wait for a major conference to come along.

The gentle words of praise to our congregation, our ministers and staff, never stopped.

As a group of our guests were leaving, I went out into the parking lot to say goodbye and overheard a woman saying to David Westcott, "Your church is so welcoming, the hospitality was palpable!"

The blessings we received that day include the knowledge that we are up for the challenge, we are all that we profess and we are a welcoming and affirming church. We have begun our "Rebuilding of the Beloved Community."


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