August 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
and September 5
Summer Vacation
We do not hold services
on these dates.
Please join us for our
Welcome Back service on
Sunday, Sept. 12.
September 12
The Reverend John Magisano
(Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches) is Chelsea Community Church's pastoral counselor. He also works as a consultant to nonprofit organizations in the New York area. He earned his M.Div. degree at New York Theological Seminary and previously served as assistant pastor for development at the Metropolitan Community Church of Hartford.
Special Music: Mary Sheeran
September 19
Diana Ortiz
(Nondenominational) is the community liaison for Exodus Transitional Community, an organization helping ex-offenders adjust to life after prison. She was previously a job developer at the agency and before that was employed by Housing + Solutions working with women who have been addicted to drugs and at Osborne Association working with children of incarcerated parents. While incarcerated for 18 years at Bedford Hills and Beacon Correctional Facility, she worked with a prison ministry and earned an M.A. in English from Mercy College.
For her path to parole see this story
in the New York Times.
September 26
Hymn Sing
Our annual traditional hymn sing, a songfest of old favorites, from “Higher Ground” to “Old Rugged Cross.” If you love to sing, here’s your chance!
October 3
Rev. Gary Ryan
(Episcopal) is a member of the Vestry of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church who has served as a human rights advocate for the Archbishop of Canterbury in the Anglican Observer’s Office at the United Nations. He was pastor of several Methodist churches near Oxford, Miss., before becoming an Episcopalian. Currently a teacher at Brooklyn Friends School, he has worked as a journalist for Associated Press and as a chaplain at Massachusetts General Hospital and at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital. A graduate of the University of Mississippi and Harvard Divinity School, he holds M.A., M.Div. and Th.M. degrees.
World-Wide Communion Sunday
Annual Meeting of Congregation follows service
October 10
Blessing of Animals Service
With Otto Walberg as leader
Rev. John Magisano of Chelsea Community Church and
Rev. Gary Ryan of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church will individually bless animals or pictures of animals brought to the service.
October 17
Rev. Gay Tompson Steele
(Baptist) is co-pastor of Faith Mission in Yonkers, a church started by her godmother in 1997. She is also an associate pastor at Grace Baptist Church in Mount Vernon and has for some 20 years been an advertising copywriter. While working toward her M.Div. degree at New York Theological Seminary she held an internship at Memorial Baptist Church in Harlem.
October 24
Rev. John Magisano
(Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches) is Chelsea Community Church's pastoral counselor. He also works as a consultant to nonprofit organizations in the New York area. He earned his M.Div. degree at New York Theological Seminary and previously served as assistant pastor for development at the Metropolitan Community Church of Hartford.
October 31
Sister Carol Perry
(Roman Catholic) is resident Biblical scholar at Marble Collegiate Church in Manhattan. A member of the Sisters of St. Ursula, she studied at Regina Mundi in Rome, where she earned the equivalent of a master's degree in theology. She also holds an M.A. in theology from St. Mary's College in Notre Dame, Ind. She has retired from the faculty of John Coleman High School in Hurley.
Special Music: Sarah Miller
35th ANNIVERSARY OF
CHELSEA COMMUNITY CHURCH
November 7
Rev. Dr. William Weisenbach
(Presbyterian) is the senior pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Katonah in Westchester County. Previously pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Philipstown in Cold Spring, NY, he earlier was vice president for academic affairs and professor of church management at New York Theological Seminary. He earned his D.Min. degree at the seminary and was awarded an honorary D.D. after his 24 years of service to the institution. In the early years of Chelsea Community Church he was a frequent speaker at our services and informally advised the Board of Trustees on a variety of issues.
November 14
Two young men from Youth Shelter Program of Westchester, Inc. in Mt. Vernon will share their experiences, accompanied by Christian M. Philemon, executive director. The residential, 12-month program serves at-risk youth, ages 16-21, who participate in lieu of going to jail or prison. The goal of the program is to educate and motivate the young men to return to their communities as positive, contributing members of society.
November 21
Rev. Patricia Lawson
(Baptist) is an associate minister at Convent Avenue Baptist Church. From 2002 until 2009, she was the director of Children and Family Ministries at The Riverside Church. She joined the Riverside staff as an intern in the Youth and Young Adults program in 1996 while studying for her M.Div. degree at New York Theological Seminary. Before attending the seminary, she was an actress, appearing Off Broadway and in the TV series “The Jeffersons.” She was also a jazz and gospel singer, clothing designer and executive assistant.
Special Music: Jeffrey Cubeta
November 28
Rev. Josh Staten
(Nondenominational) is associate pastor of the Trinity Grace Church meeting in St. Paul’s Church on 22nd Street. He has been with the congregation, which has four neighborhood churches, since 2006. He is a graduate of The Kings College in Manhattan, where he studied the liberal arts with a concentration in theology. A native of Nashville, he is a Chelsea resident.
December 5.
Min. Yvette Vanterpool
(American Baptist) is an associate minister at Memorial Baptist Church in Harlem. Previously development assistant for a multi-faith youth program, Face to Face/Faith to Faith, at Auburn Theological Seminary, she also works with the Rites of Passage youth ministry. She has written for several religious publications and designed and facilitated workshops at area churches on such topics as “Sexism and Our Faith” and “The What, Why and How of Praise and Worship.” She received her M.Div. degree summa cum laude from Drew Theological Seminary, Madison, NJ, in 2008 and was awarded The Rev. Florence Spearing Randolph Prize given to an African American woman student who demonstrates powerful preaching skill and potential for outstanding pastoral leadership. She also holds a Master of Music degree in voice/opera from Binghamton University. She has sung with the Deutsche Oper Berlin, The New World Symphony, the Boston Symphony Orchestra and Texas Opera Theater and has toured with the New York City Opera and Glimmerglass Opera.
Special Music: Yvette Vanterpool
