Honor Church's 100th Anniversary

Senate Resolution No. 3080 BY: Senator FLANAGAN COMMEMORATING the 100th Anniversary of the Church of God in Christ in the State of New York, to be celebrated September 8-9, 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 100th Anniversary of the Church of God in Christ in the State of New York, to be celebrated September 8-9, 2017, at the Historic First Church of God in Christ, the Wilborn Temple Church, Albany, New York; and WHEREAS, The Church of God in Christ, headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee and founded in 1907, is the leading Christian organization in the Holiness-Pentecostal tradition, being the largest Pentecostal denomination in the United States and the fifth largest Protestant Christian reformation, with more than 6.5 million adherents and operating in 81 countries around the world; and WHEREAS, The Prelates of the Diocese of the Church of God in Christ in the State of New York collectively oversees and provides leadership for over 350 local congregations; for 100 years, these congregations, Pastors and members have been committed to the betterment of the communities which they serve, from the Hamptons to Buffalo, and the advancement of all New Yorkers; and WHEREAS, The Fellowship of Bishops and Diocese of the Church of God in Christ in the State of New York include: Bishop James R. Wright, Rochester; Bishop Glenwood Young, Buffalo; Bishop Ronald Hoston, Rochester; Bishop James Gaylord, New York City; Bishop Rothel Highsmith, Brooklyn; Bishop Frank A. White, Freeport; Bishop John P. Lee, Brooklyn; Bishop Tyrone L. Butler, Brooklyn; and Bishop Harrison Hale, Medford; and WHEREAS, The Church of God in Christ in the State of New York 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 100th Anniversary of the Church of God in Christ in the State of New York, to be observed September 8-9, 2017, 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 copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to the aforementioned Bishops.