Because of the Lord’s Great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3: 22-23
Our Church’s Mission: —To bring people to Jesus Christ and membership in His “family”, develop them to Christ like maturity and equip them for their ministry in the Church and life mission in the world, in order to magnify God’s name.
The St. Albans Congregational Church, located in Queens, is now celebrating it 54th year of faithful service. Supported by its founding and charter members, the founding Pastor, Rev. Robert Ross Johnson (1920-2000), answered, in 1954, the need for community based fellowship. After nurturing the growth of the congregation supported by faith for 35 years, Rev. Johnson announced that he would retire in January of 1991.
A search committee was blessed to identify the strengths of Rev. Dr. Henry Thomas Simmons to continue to lead the church’s mission. Since beginning his service as Senior Minister on March 1, 1991, Rev. Simmons’ phenomenal energy, effective leadership and powerful sermons have called for an increase in worship services, bible study classes, building growth and church ministries.
One of the many productive ministries is the Wider Church Ministry. Listed below are the annual service outreach projects with which this Ministry has been involved:
- Neighbors in Need Donations
- One Great Hour of Sharing Donations
- Collections and distributions and postage support of Gift of the Heart Kits (Health, School and Baby)
- SHARE newsletters (informing the congregation of U.C.C. global faith based missionary efforts and internal St. Albans church efforts)
- Sandwich Makers Ministry (preparing and distributing lunch bags to individuals finding themselves in either shelters or HIV/AIDS residences)
- The Global Exposure Experience - Financial support of bi-annual missionary trips/service for youth of the congregation (locations: Russia; China; Haiti; Puerto Rico; Jamaica, WI.; Mexico; Ghana; Swaziland/South Africa)
- Monetary and supply support of missionary efforts in Swaziland and South Africa (especially focused during the time when Rev. and Mrs. Wayne L. Wilson served as missionaries in Swaziland)
- The African Global Village (Annual church-wide celebration of the Diaspora on Unity Sunday including cultural displays, food samplings, representational music and traditional attire)
In 2007, we also selected the “Eyes to See Project” (collecting new and nearly new eyeglasses for distribution by the Wider Church Ministries of the U.C.C. to those who cannot afford to purchase eyeglasses). Additionally, plans are underway to incorporate the African Diaspora Ministry under the umbrella of the Wider Church Ministry. This ministry will allow interested members of the congregation opportunities of group travel to various locations around the world.
2008 marks the next Global Exposure experience for 6 of the youth of the church. This trip will include missionary work with The Children's Cup Carepoint located in Moneni, Kingdom of Swaziland. As always, Rev. Simmons’ vision for this trip includes global exposure and service to humanity for these young people.