Presbyterian Mission Agency MLK holiday brings three NJ congregations together

Presbytery of the Palisades

November 29, 2016

In the spirit of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., three northern NJ churches have rehabilitated a church in need of repairs.

Over the MLK holiday weekend in January 2016, the Presbyterian Church at Tenafly and Old Bergen Church of Jersey City teamed up for a construction project at the Mideast Evangelical Church in Jersey City to remodel, insulate and paint a fellowship hall, reinforce a hand rail, share in a delicious Middle Eastern meal, hear stories, and commemorate the MLK Day of Service.

“The most joyous was seeing people from different socioeconomic, racial-ethnic [backgrounds] working together and finding how much they have in common,” noted Clerk Adina Yacoub of the Mideast church.

Dr. Rev. Eileen Lindner helping with repairs at the Mideast Evangelical Church in Jersey City, where she serves as Co-Moderator.

The volunteer work crew over the MLK weekend helping to make some improvements at the Mideast Evangelical Church.

Dr. Richard Chan and Jonathan Chan of the Tenafly church work to fix a wall at the Mideast Evangelical Church.

Carole Bayley (left) of the Tenafly church enjoying food with other volunteers.

Rev. Jon Brown (left) takes a selfie with two youngsters while fixing up the Mideast Evangelica Church over MLK weekend.

During Sunday fellowship, while enjoying basbousa dessert, Mideast congregants led a discussion about the aftermath of September 11, 2001. One hospital pharmacist shared that all people with Arabic last names were called into a room on September 12 and told to go home until they had all their proper paperwork. Rev. Jon Brown of Old Bergen also discussed how new high rises in Jersey City could displace long-term communities, like those of Egyptian Christians.

The weekend concluded with a worship service at the Mideast Evangelical Church on Monday, celebrating Dr. King.

“His family asked that the holiday always be observed in community service, with neighbors unlike themselves, to make the community a better place,” noted Rev. Eileen Lindner of Tenafly.

Veronica MacDonald Ditko, Senior Administrative Assistant, Presbytery of the Palisades, Rochelle Park, New Jersey

Today’s Focus: Palisades Presbytery

Let us join in prayer for:

PC(USA) Agencies’ Staff

Heather Leoncini, PMA
Bradley “Brad”Levy, PMA

Let us pray

Dear Lord, you taught us that people of different backgrounds can mesh together because you are in the midst of them. Amen.

Daily Lectionary

Morning Psalms 33; 146
First Reading Isaiah 1:21-31
Second Reading 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12
Gospel Reading Luke 20:9-18
Evening Psalms 85; 94

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Categories: Mission Yearbook
Tags: adina yacoub, community of faith, Martin Luther King Jr, mideast evangelical church jersey city, mission yearbook, MLK, old bergen church of jersey city, palisades presbytery, presbyterian church of tenafly nj, racial ethnic, socioeconomic, worship