response by philip clarke

24
RESPONSE BY PHILIP CLARKE INTRODUCTION Bless you and thank you all for coming1 A full Church1 ,_... Better than Easter ••• probably the largest gathering I've seen here in all of my years. Thank you for coming and for honoring me in such a warm and wonderful way •••• To sever the ties lToven through five decades - the fifties, the sixties, seventies, eighties and nineties - leaves me at a loss for words to adequately express the depths of :nw feelingS'I•&M my gratitude. Thank you. Thank you. To all of you •••• and to the Board of Trustees of this church for organizing and promoting and paying for this gathering. You're the greatest! DEVELOPMENT I've loved every minute of my ministry here. The dozen or so members and friends of this church when I arrived here in December of 1956 patiently c?.ndured my youthful inexperience and my pastoral inadequacies. I had had only about a year's experience in a church in Scotia, New York ••• working with Junior High and Senior High youth. I came with about six sermons "in the barrel" which were pretty much used up the first two months and from then on •••• it was pretty much a fresh sermon each week and some 2,000 of them are filed away in two filing cabients in my study. Those who don't think much of my preaching now should have been around ba.ck in those early years. I can still picture a few folks falling as'ieep and actually snoring ••• while I was up here "doing my thing" the best I couldl Remember, Mrs. Tabor, Harold? It was on October the 8th, 1956 that I sat with the Pastor - Parish Relations Committee and heard about the church ••• seven of us were there •••• I remember them well - Paul Russell, Harold Black, Merle Gripman, Winifred Howe, Elmer Bostock and my wife and myself. I also remember hearing that Don Larsen was pitching a perfect game that afternoon at Yankee Stadiwn. Oh, I wanted to be there •••• four subway stops from the Church. Some of you will remember that }TYC was the baseball capital of the universe - Dodgers, Giants, Yankees. Crossing the Tappan Zee Bridge that early evening I recall seeing a huge sign np in the heavens that said: GO TO NEW YORK. To me, a sign from above. Someone later told me it was the Goodyear Blimp. The afternoon of that interview, Mrs. Russell and Mrs. McCartney showed me the church. They omitted showing me the basement area ••• for good reason. And the first time I walked in here my heart sank ••• poor lighting, soot and grime on untouched by paint for 30 years, pew cushions falling apart. But under- neath it all you could see touches of beauty •••• Those of you who were here in my early years gave me the freedom to speak whatever was on my heart and you have been across the years •• o Most generous in your judgements and infinitely considerate in your kindness! And for all of this I am profoundly grateful. I came here at the age of 27 with a dream of trying to build a church in this city that would be interracial, international and tnter denominational. •• a church whose doors would be "open" ••• open to all people ••• regardless.

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Page 1: RESPONSE BY PHILIP CLARKE

RESPONSE BY PHILIP CLARKE

INTRODUCTION Bless you and thank you all for coming1 A full Church1 ,_... Better than Easter ••• probably the largest gathering I've

seen here in all of my years. Thank you for coming and for honoring me in such a warm and wonderful way ••••

To sever the ties lToven through five decades - the fifties, the sixties, seventies, eighties and nineties - leaves me at a loss for words to adequately express the depths of :nw feelingS'I•&M my gratitude. Thank you. Thank you. To all of you •••• and to the Board of Trustees of this church for organizing and promoting and paying for this gathering. You're the greatest!

DEVELOPMENT I've loved every minute of my ministry here. The dozen or so members and friends of this church when I arrived here

in December of 1956 patiently c?.ndured my youthful inexperience and my pastoral inadequacies. I had had only about a year's experience in a church in Scotia, New York ••• working with Junior High and Senior High youth. I came with about six sermons "in the barrel" which were pretty much used up the first two months and from then on •••• it was pretty much a fresh sermon each week and some 2,000 of them are filed away in two filing cabients in my study.

Those who don't think much of my preaching now should have been around ba.ck in those early years. I can still picture a few folks falling as'ieep and actually snoring ••• while I was up here "doing my thing" the best I couldl Remember, Mrs. Tabor, Harold?

It was on October the 8th, 1956 that I sat with the Pastor - Parish Relations Committee and heard about the church ••• seven of us were there •••• I remember them well - Paul Russell, Harold Black, Merle Gripman, Winifred Howe, Elmer Bostock and my wife and myself. I also remember hearing that Don Larsen was pitching a perfect game that afternoon at Yankee Stadiwn. Oh, I wanted to be there •••• four subway stops from the Church. Some of you will remember that }TYC was the baseball capital of the universe - Dodgers, Giants, Yankees. Crossing the Tappan Zee Bridge that early evening I recall seeing a huge sign np in the heavens that said: GO TO NEW YORK. To me, a sign from above. Someone later told me it was the Goodyear Blimp.

The afternoon of that interview, Mrs. Russell and Mrs. McCartney showed me the church. They omitted showing me the basement area ••• for good reason. And the first time I walked in here my heart sank ••• poor lighting, soot and grime on w~lls untouched by paint for 30 years, pew cushions falling apart. But under­neath it all you could see touches of beauty ••••

Those of you who were here in my early years gave me the freedom to speak whatever was on my heart and you have been across the years •• o

Most generous in your judgements and infinitely considerate in your kindness!

And for all of this I am profoundly grateful. I came here at the age of 27 with a dream of trying to build a church in this city that would be interracial, international and tnter denominational. •• a church whose doors would be "open" ••• open to all people ••• regardless.

Page 2: RESPONSE BY PHILIP CLARKE

·-'

FAREWELL RECEPTION

1. Bebe Ahmad

2. Rehanna London

3. Joanne Alban Hanschell

h. Judith Allen

5. Judi Fer land

6. Judi Ferland (Husband ???)

7. Judi Ferland

8. Claudia Jo Alhtand Bel.Jiont ( 1 )

9. Betty Altoollian

10. C~alie Baile7

11. Bibi Banoo

12. Neil Bardach

13 • Andrea. Ba.rdach

14. Michelle Barton

15. Moniaue (Michelle's daughter)

16. .Qu intasia (Monique 1 s friend)

17. Richmond Bates

18. Lili Bate•

19. CharJU.ne BembUI7

20. Lee White / BembUIT

21. Salehe BembUI7

22. Abije_ ~mbur,.J:;a.g~J:telilecik spelling of name)

23. Elizabeth Berg

2L.. Harold Black

25. Deborah Black

-- ~- -- & -- --

ADD:

L.03: Vaughn Watson (Orga.n18t)

I -, ·- -~~-~-~~ I

- _j

Page 3: RESPONSE BY PHILIP CLARKE

26. Lynn Blair

27. Bob Blt.llftenberg

28. Jim Bobick

29. Valerie KOJIII.r (Jill's fiancee)

30. Dan Boone

31. Ken Borgeson

32. Catherine Bose

33. Gail Ann Bradshaw

34. Olga Br0111.tield

3 5. Susan LJ!m Brom

36. Gordon Bryant

37. Ann Bryant

38. Son, Bryants

3 9. Son, Bryant•

40. Ipn Bruha

Ll. Katherine Back

L2. Elizabeth Callahan

43. Charles Carpenter

LL. Robyn Carpenter

45. Ann Cavallaro

h6. Angelo Chacona•

47. Jane Cbane7

48. Bert Chernizer

49. Victor Childer•

;o. Catherine Clarke

(Allen)

'( -,. 'I~ ) -.. .n~~· ,• --

Page 4: RESPONSE BY PHILIP CLARKE

51. ~roy Co!'f'un

52. Carl Condra

53. Wendy Cooper

54. David Corvette

55. Gail Corvette

56. Iria CottOJl

51. Paula {Iris's daughter)

;a. Michae 1 Crail

59. George Crawtard

60. Howard daCosta

61. Meg da Costa

62. Il7a Da Costa

63. Norma D&llbroeie

64. Jeanne Dambresie

65. Cary Danford

66. Patri4la D~---- '

67. Patricia Daniel (.triel!ld)

68. Patricia Daniel (.triend)

6 9. John Danley

10. Peggy Daniel

71. Marty Davis

72. Christine Day

73. Thomas DeBow

74. Suzanne De Bow

75. Anna. Del•on

Page 5: RESPONSE BY PHILIP CLARKE

-4-

76. Warren Dennie

77. Ingrid Dennie

78. Mark Else

79. Greta Else

80. Janet Erast

81. Margaret Fisher

82. Russell F~&

8.3. Holley Flag&

84. Ted Fl.a~&

85. Vidya Foley

86. Hillary Ford (and 2 children)

87. BeatriQI!lirasier

88. E:ttie French

89. Josefina Garcia ( ? )

90. U,e Gartrell

91. Joyce Gartrell

92. Ann Pearl GU7

9.3. Sarah Gill

94. GeGrge Gill ???

95. Sall;r Gill ???

96. Nat Grady

97. Gretchen Grant

98. Jill Gray

99. Herman Greene

100. Mrs. Herman Greene

Page 6: RESPONSE BY PHILIP CLARKE

- 5 -

101. Eddie Gunder•on

102. Peg~y Gunderson

103. Ruez Habib

104. Linda Guran

105. Linda !·Guran•s daughter, Christine, or hueband ???

1re. Eric HaillB

107. Charlette Haiu

108. Ken Halcott

109. Andrea Halcott

110. Thomas Hallqan

111. Bjorn Hanson

112. Cathy HalUIOD

11.3. Sabrina Hansoa

llil. Jack Harria

115. ~H&1J!Mt8

11.6. Daniell• Haymea

117. John He hlk:e

118. Deborah Helmke

119. Patricia HeDrT

120. Rache 1 Bard Henr7

121. Paul HeDrT

122. Bobbie Heren

123. Stan Solomon

12h. Donna Hobltes

125. Bob Lipton

Page 7: RESPONSE BY PHILIP CLARKE

126. David Howarcf_:_ ·

127. Jeff HU«he•

128. Betty Sue Hagh••

129. Catherine Hummel

130. Linda Hutcherson

131. Bridpt Hutchereon

132. Julie H1Jl8n

133. Lucene Thorne Inniss

134. Rev. Fred Jackson

135. Dorotb_y Jackson

136. Peter Jacobson

137. Janet Jacobson

138. Linnea Jacobson

139. Peter Jacobson

11o. A:ltrr J ue•

141. Friend1 AJq James

142. Jane Jame•

113. Jennifer Jenkin•

:J.Lh. Edward Ferrar• (er Ferraro ???)

115. Sharon Johnson

116. Rita Mauer

117. Charlette Juchter

148. Beverl1' J•dge

149. Nancy Kaplan

150. Jose Alexander (in place of Jennifer Karia •• her brother)

Page 8: RESPONSE BY PHILIP CLARKE

- 7 -

151. Tom Keane

152. Dana Keane

153. SOJlh ie Keane

154. Gri.ffin KeaM

155. Josephine Keill

156. Antonio Klle

157. Mirim .· Khe

158. MaryAnnKho

159. Miche lJ.e Kho

160. Mae Kho

161. Charlea Ki.Jl

162. Soo Kill

163. Michael Kipnisa

164. Pam Kipniaa

165. Michael K~r

166. Charlette Kittilaen

167. Lerea Kittilsem

168. Kristina Kittilsen

169. Gary Klein

170. Jutie Klein

171. Matthew Klein

172. Christopher Klein

173. Pe,a Koeppel

174. Harve;r Koeppel

175. Do Lamprecht

Page 9: RESPONSE BY PHILIP CLARKE

- 8 -

176. Jennifer Lamprecht

177. Charles Langal.t•

178. TaJ~~Jq Langa11s

179. Frank Leackfe1dt

180. Francine Leackteldt

181. Geerge Leopold

182. Regina Poddslds

18). Edward Levay

184. Patricia Mintz Levay

18$. Robert Lewis

186. ~· A~~.Rl.efta· ·

187. Daniel Lewis

188. Will :r..wis ..

189. · · Andre1!;?t,~tii:t--

190. Purita Liberato

191. Jeu~1!, Ll•.rd

192. J ohll Lollbard•

193. A11x Lembard•

194. Marisa Lembar.d•

19$. F1erence lAne

196. DaYid Lew

197. Nancy Lw

198. Pauline Marsden

199. Jett Marshall

200. Rachel Marsten

Page 10: RESPONSE BY PHILIP CLARKE

201. Cynthia McCollum

202. T. A. McKinney

203. Perri McK1nne:r

20U. . Frusee: fll-

205. Qrnthia Mele

206. Dr. Nelson Mendell_

207. Martha Mendell

2ot3. Roberto Mer ilea

20'. Roberto Meriles I tam11y .ember

210. Roberto Merilita ·I tamil.;r mealter

211. Earle Milber;r

212. Carol Milbery

213. Jeffrey Miles

21L.. Natbidad Miranda

215. Natividad Miranda I friend

216. Larry Morales

217. Doreen Morales

21B. Carol Hawkins Mulcrone

219. Keith Mulcrone

220. Diane Murra7

- 9-

221. Diane Murray I friend ? Stattord Reynolds

222. Deborah Cox-Riches

22.3. Karl Newlin

224. Shannon Newlin

225. Susan N'icholu

Page 11: RESPONSE BY PHILIP CLARKE

- 10 -

226. Spike lfeubercer

227. Du!!) Neubercer

228. A.lpo Niskanen

229. Alpo Niskanea's wife

230. DaYi.d niell

231. 1DaYid Odell I t.riend

232. Sharon Channeaiall

233. ICaren Ol.dDa

23h. Itarea Oldbaa / trieDd ???

235. Roberta Olson

236. Allegra 018on

237. Mr. Olson I Roberta 1a husband. ••• Alex Johnson.

238. Acnes Olsson

239. OliYia Olsson

240. Cecelia Oltmann

241. Louise O'Neill

242. Jacque Paice

2LJ. Eel Paice

2ll. Jill PerJd.rw

245. Bridc•t Perld.ns

246. Traey Piatt

247. Kenn;r Piatt

24e. Ron Piatt

24,. Edith Piper

25'0. Eric Preston

Page 12: RESPONSE BY PHILIP CLARKE

- 11 -

251. Marjorie Preston

252. Jane Radna7

253. Mark Raker

2$U. Kristin Raker

255. Rajkoe.er Ramkis•o•n

256. Vanessa RBJild.ssoon

257. Christine Ramk!ss .. D

256. a. .. ce Redinltte

259. Doroth7 RediDcten

260. MarT Lou Rislq

261. Lillie Rodgers

262. Dunia Rodgers

263. Earl Roosa

264. Nicque Roosa

265. Alexis Roosa.

266. Nicholas Roosa

267. Helen Rus•ell

268. '!bad R\tssell

269. Barbara RusHll

270. Sam Russell

271. Paul Russell

272. Suzanne Sales

273. Anne Sappington

274. Alan Samuels

275. Tina Sayers

Page 13: RESPONSE BY PHILIP CLARKE

- 12-

276. Jay sa,..rs

277. Charles Scardino

278. Dorothy Scardino

279. Michael Schaffield

280. Dee Schatf'ield

2e1. Dianne Keller Schindo

2~2. Edward Schindo

2e3. Jack Schmidt.

284. Liz otto Schmidt

285. Joseph Schneider

2R6. Joan Schneider

287. Phyllis U!topolti

288. Anne Schumann

289. Gary Scrugg•

290. Kathryn Scrugc•

291. Tyler Scrugg•

292. Colby Scruggs

293. Carter Philip Scruggs

294. Der Scutt

295. Lean Scutt

296. Edward Segal

297. Richard Sharp

298. Mickey Clarke Sharp

299. Robert Sharp

.300. Nancy Sharp

Page 14: RESPONSE BY PHILIP CLARKE

301. David (Bob Sharp's soa)

302. Matthew (Bob Sharp's son)

303. Frances Shelton

304. Jane Scatarro

305. Barbara Siec

3o6 • Ash ley S ie «

3CJ7. Kendall Sieg

30e. Tracey Simmons

309. Edward Kofi Simpson

310. Dorcas Siapson

- 13 -

311. Mr. Sill!pson (name unknown to PC)

312. Kvekti:;~impson

313. Tina Hopermann Slocumb

314. Travis SlocUJilb

315. Roxanne SnoTer

316. Leticia Soriano

317. Friend of aticia Simpsoa

31~. Walter Spencer

31,. Friend /Walter Spencer

320. Jeffrey Sprouse

321. Rebecca ~hmann Sprouse

322. Stacey Staaterman

32.3. Brian Feeney

32h. Edward Stack

325. Dorothy Staine

Page 15: RESPONSE BY PHILIP CLARKE

-11-

32~ William Staubach

327. Margaret Staubach

32e. Helen Tait

329. John Tait

330. Evelyn Thayer

331. Duane Thompson

332. Brenda Thompson

333. Shirley Carr Thompson

334. David Thcnnp•on

335. Nancy Trespasz

336. Ignn Weddington Tucker

337. Nichola Tucker I or Andrew Tucker ??

33e. Nancy Ulloa

339. Jim Ull011

340. A•tor Val Hackett

341. Nica Val Hackett

342. Alana Val Hacatt

3L3. Noni Val Hackett

3h4. Sandra Van CleYe

345. Philip Vasan

31·6. Tina Vasan

3L.7. Chri~tina Veneracion (Reyno)

3htJ. Nancy Ward

3h9. Gene Washincton

350. Gene Washington I Friend

Page 16: RESPONSE BY PHILIP CLARKE

- 15 -

351. Bonnie Lane Weber

352. Glenn Weeks

353. Barbara Week8

35L. Daughter I Barbara and Glenn Weeks

355. Erich Werner Jatzke

356. Pat Werner Jatzke

357. Ashley Werner Jatzke

35B. Hans Werner Jatzke

359. Chel.8ea Werner Jatzke

360. PhTllis WestermaJU'l

361. Joan (Althea) White

362. William White

363. Vonne Whittleton

364. Wayne Wiebe

365. Carol Foster Wie'be

366. Megan Wiebe I ar friend

367. Srkes Wilford

36B. Jane Wilford

369. Sykes Wilford, Jr.

370. Paul Wilford

371. Sarah Wilford

372. Joyce WillialiS

373. Ginger Haselden Weyheruneyer

374. Jim Weyhenmeyer

375. Mol~ Weyhenmeyer

Page 17: RESPONSE BY PHILIP CLARKE

"" - 16 -

376. L!m WilliatM

377. Bert Williams

37B. Renee Willia•s

37,. Sam Wilson

380. Billie Wilson

3~1. Lyndon Woodside

3~2. Jane Wocdside

363. Lisa Zi:mmerman

3eh. Ja7 Zimmermall

3e5. Tim O'Connor

386. Walter Gerbereux

387. Sandy Kours

3BB. Mrs. Sand~.ry Koura

38,. Harold Abramrl.tz

390. Mrs. Harold Abromwitz

391. Seymour ???

3 92. Rea Getze ls

393. Kathryn Carroll

39h. Tina Hammond

.395. Janice Hara;rda

.396. Noi ???

397. Rabbi David Lincoln I ???

3,5. Edward Duda I Campbells

.3 99. Dr. Marsha U.ng

L.oo. Lynn ThOJI'lson

hol. Judy Wilska Whel.a.D

h02. Ken Whelan

Page 18: RESPONSE BY PHILIP CLARKE

CLARKE I SOME RESUME NOTES AND 11BI011 INFORMATION

Some of the things done apart from the pa.storing and preach~ at the Park Avenue United Methodist Church •••

COMMUNITY CONCERNS

President or the East Midtown Ministers I Associatton (1959 - 1961); Trustee, The Chap in School ( 1966 - 1972); Chaplain, IIlW'ood Home For Unwed Mothers (1968 to 1972); Member, Tri-Faith Housinc Corporation (1966 to 1968)~ Member. , Yorkville Counselling Center Board1 (1964 to 1968); Trustee, Easts1.de Hospital Chaplaincy Program (1968 to 1974);

UNITED METHODIST CONFERENCE (New York Annual Conference)

OTHER

Chairman, Deaconess Association of the NY Annual Conference (1958 to 1962); Chairperson of the NY Annual Conference Board of Ecumenical Relations. (1968 to 1974); Member of the NY Annual Conference Review Committee (1974 to 1977); Program Chairperson for the Monday Club and Treasurer, too (1972 - 1976); Member of the District Committee on the District Superintendency (1985 to 1999)

Delegate to the World Methodist Conference in London, 1967.

Delegate to the World Methodist Conference, Singapore, 1992.

Swmner preacher, Caroga Lake Chapel, Caroga (in the Adiron~acks), '2 Sundays each sumer, 1986 - 1998. ·

Invited to give the Induction Day Invocation, Cooperstown Hall of Fame for Baseball, 1990 and again in 1994.

Summer preacher, Methodist Church, Ogunquit, Maine 1968 and 1969 and 1970.

Member I Men's Health Club, 1970 to 1999 I 92nd Street YMHA

Page 19: RESPONSE BY PHILIP CLARKE

THE /WALL STREET JOURNAL. C 1999 Dmv Jonn & Ctnrtpany, Inc. AI Riglrls Reseroed

VOL. CCXXXIII NO. 118 EEICP, * * FRIDAY, JUNE 18, 1999 INTERNET ADDRESS:. http://WSj.com

: Mainline Protestant churches get a bad i!f'&P· Yes, overall cburch membership is de­•:clining and yes, there's a lot of truth to the ;!charge that the focus on liberal political :,causes has driven away worshippers more •!interested in prayer than politics on Sun· :'day mOrnings. :: Yet there are many individual mainline ;!Protestant churches that are thriving. •There's no sure-fire recipe for success­::eacb congregation is different-but the ,;story of bow one failing church managed to

., ., "l \. ;,-

Houses of Worship

By Melanie IGrkpatrick

';transform itseUinto a bustling bouse of >worship and a force for good in its commu­;:mty can perhaps offer some insights for •!otber struggling churches. ~. The church is Park Avenue United ::MethOdist Church, !Oea~ on the pp~~;er. .. Kast Side of Manhattan. The force behind ::its transformation is its minister, Philip ;: A. C. Clarke, who will retire from the pulpit I· SUnday after 43 years of service. Mr; ~Clarke's approach includes a traditional :;wonrup service, programs to help the ~needy and an attitude of welcome that em­::braces people of au races, backgrounds and ::political beliefs. In short, the Park Avenue ;.name, with its intimations of exclusivity, ~:does not define the mission of the church. ·: What about the evangelical churches '• that are drawing worshippers away from :mainline Protestantism? Like the evangel­Heals, Mr. Clarke says, "I believe in a per­·;: sonal experience of God in your life. But a t: church needs to fly on two wings: not just ·• the personal experience but also social ::outreach."

:: When Mr. Clarke arrived at Park Av­' enue in 1956, he foond a chun:b on the brink ::of closing. There were 25 or so members, a :•building in disrepair and no money. The ,: SUnday be preached his fll'St sermon, he ;: remembers thinking: "The church is dead ~·bot somehow they don't know it." Today ::the church has 600 members, a splendidly · ~ restored facility and, thanks to the man­;: agement of a member who knew his way ;; around Wall Street, a healthy financial !: statement, including a trust of S9 million :. dedicated to supporting needy cbun:hes in ::New York and helping the poor. ~ Park Avenue Methodist flnt opened its ;. doors in 1837 in Yorkville. a village in upper ·: llaDhattan then connected by stagecoach . ·'to tbe "city" several miles south. It was a ., mission outpost of John Street Methodist . Chlll'dl, fOWlded iB 11i8, wtlidl claims to

be the oldest Methodist meetinghouse. inJl the New World.

Over the next 100 years. the church ' flourished in a neighborhood tbat by the i late 19th century had become a fashionable : residential district. Its membership bit 700 . in the 1870s and was up to more than 1,000 in 1927, when it moved into its current ad- I Tell a Methodist that you know a minis­dress. Large, aging buildings are a burden ' ter who's been at the same cbun:b for 43 to many urban churches today· But Mr. , :years and be is likely to say a prayer for Clarke sees Park Avenue's building as a i 1he liar before him. Mr. Clarke's lengtb of boon; its Romanesque sanctuary draws i ~rvice at Park Avenue is tmbeanl of in the people in and is ·"one of our most com- ' ;vnited Methodist Chwdl, who&e clergy .pelling evangelists." . ~ically spend a maximum of five to eight .; ' Mr. Clarke says he hasn't tiDkerl!d I ars at a single church. It's a system that ' much with styles of worship over the ye8.!'1· .J, · w out of the "circuit riding~ tradition of : His service is "formal" and usually m-. ,19th century, when Metbodlst minis-: eludes three hymns, the Apostles' creed, \ ters on horseback followed their floeb to · tbe Lord's Prayer and a sennon that never 1 the frontier. lasts more than 20 minutes and never dis-! How did Mr. Clarke manage to stick cusses his personal political views .... Part l around so long? He cites two factors. One, i of our appeal is that people walk in and say : his mobile ~ ebaDced c:on- ! it's like my church back home," be says. l stantly, so it was like (fetting a new chun:b J

Roughly 60% of the current members come i every five years. And twe, "I learned to :

·'~ro~~-<>~~~:~.t:= I . keep a low profile arWnd bishops."·' -\

even other faiths. . ! · Ms. Kirlq~Gtrick, a ftlf!lftber of Auk Av- . Park Avenue Methodist's membership I e,nue Methodist Church. is the assistant edi- :

is now as diverse as the city it serves, but tl1r of file lolmlll's editorial 1f111B. / 1 that diversity didn't come easily. ~·, Clarke remembers a white member whoy 10 · ·' · · · --·h-.J

the early 1960s, refused to let a photograpb of herself in church appear in a magazine because she didn't want to be pictured standing with a black member and ~ Ko-rean-American member. One of his fa-vorite stories about how the church 1

changed tor the better concerns the Sun- 1\

day a U.S. Senator worshipped at Park Av-enue Methodist, only to be rebuked by a ~ steam fitter in the Brooklyn dockyards for 1

leaving the communion rail too early. I

Page 20: RESPONSE BY PHILIP CLARKE

r

.·';; THE 1\LL STREET JOURNAL. . . - - . . .

VOL. CCXXXIII NO. 118 F..EICP * * FRIDAY, JUNE 18, 1999 INTmumT ADDRBss: http://wsj.com

1Stepping Down, Looking lJack . : llaiblint Pnltel&ant ~ get a bad be the oldest Methodist lllt'etiDgboutlln l ,,. Yes. Oftl'lll cbllrtb membersllip Is • the New World. ·I •!cumncaaclyes,tbere'salotoftnllbtotbe Over the next 100 yean. tilt dluicb t

i:cblqe lllat the b:us on liberal political floUrillbed in a ~ tlllt by the · ~tt:allleS·bu driven away wonldppas more late dill cr.ntury bad become a fasbionable : ~!infen!sted In prayer than poUtks on SUn- restdeotial ctistrict. lbi membmlbip bit 710 ;!daJ IDOIIUJCS. in the tlmts a1 WU up to more thaD 1,8110 :: Yet llll!rf are many inclmlual mainJine in 19'l7. wileD it moved into its cumnt • : Tell a MethJdllt tbat .,.,., mo. a~ :.•o..r.-.. t clturcbes that are thriving. dress. Laqe, aging buildings are a burden · J-,. ·- . ;: WileD Mr. ctane anived at Part. Av- ....... But llr w wbo'l beea at a.e same dada far a : •'l'bere's no sure-lire ftCipe for success- •eauehll&,belouodacbun:bontbebrint to maRY Ul'tllll dlurc:bel --Y· · · .Jt!UI aad be il tibly to S1J a )~DYer' IDr \ ~eadl-~ is different-but tbe ~!Gfc:lolillc.'lberelftft2Sorsomemben,a Clam sees Put Aftlale'•-~dra:ll a i tbeliar beforebim.llr. Clalb's ........ of .:ltoi'JofbOIUIJefailiDCcburcbmanacecJto ' :•....._ b1 dinpllr ad m llaleJ. 1be boOD; its RomaDelque sa-1811 . WI i ~~atPukAftllueis'l8dleardofiJitlle ..• · '~~r .• -... .... : ........ ~. n·- ...... _... in and Is Mane of cur IDOit a~m- · ................ ~__.. -'-- __ , , · · · · ;--Y 11111: prfleu.:u ,_ u,. llei'1DOD, 11111: i ,......,.... - ~...._ •- .._..., ., Hfd•- 0( Wors•l .. I t!rememberatbiDktng: "'lbecburdlisdead .. feilingevangelists." 't .._~ ei]II!DdamuimumGiftfttet(pt ·: - '"I' :•but tomebow tlley don't blow it" Todly i ·· Mr. CJarte says be balD __. asfnlledllrdl.. lt"sa.,.._lllld ' " • ..._ ..... _ .... ____ ~.._ splelldidly m·-.. wi""-"-of-.. *Oftl'llleytan. . of..._ .... _.;. __ tnrd'H..-6 ·.\ B Melani v;..t.-~ · k .,....,.,..... .... .__ • ...,....,.,...,a uu1 u1• .. r ......... owur . ...., ~ ....... ,...... -· : ·. •. ,: y e n..ua.p;.tnc ;:~ fatllity and. tiJanb to U.: man- i, His senire is Miormai" and ..uy ill- c:eabl:y, Wllellllfelllolllllllbdl-.

·• · .. · \ 1 ,. apmem of a member Wbo 1mew bis way : dudes three bymns. tbe Apo&tlel' creed. ter5 oa bonetJKk folloRd dll!tr ftodls to ;.-... · •'uuuad Will Slreet 1 bealtiV' finaDdal · tile lArd's Prayer aod a sermon that aever: tbe frolltier. · ;trallsform itsetf into a bustling bcue of ;: .. 1 • ........, ..... ......; a .__. ..6 • _.._ lasts more than 21 JllinUtel and never dis· : u- did Mr auu -- to llll:t ::wcnldp aud a force for good In_ i~ a!lllmlt- ::;;D;i;lt.;;p;;;lll' ;;dy "'~ cus&eS his peniOOII1 poliHcaJ views. "Part : an:'.~ 10 loa('!. He c:1a ~ ODe.

1 ;.ally cu ~offer liDIDt iftsiCbts for :MewYcn ... belpillctllepour. ofourapPealiatbatpeoplewaltinanclsay: bill 11111111e ... ....- c:llllled cat- 1

;:Citber struatinr churdles. ,. Pan A-.e MetboiiW lint opeoe4 its It's like my cburdl baa home," be II&YI· : saaauy • ., it wullke lf!lUiw a ..-ct.dl i ~.· '1'be dmdl ts Pan. Avenue United ::dooniDJJ31illYCIIlYIIe.a-'u..-ia,,_ Roughlym.ofthecurreatmembeneome: _rift yean. ADd tw, .,......., te _; • ~ ..... _.. ....__ ...... on ..._ •- • ......, -rr-- - .u...-. . ...... ~ _ • ....., ·, the adler.,· ;;.::a._ _____ w---.•·' ! ,,iieiiiUiJ6i YIIIIUI, OUOO:..a& 0..: un- ':Ne•tta• lllea CIIIUledfld by~ PUIU Aft'!'.._ ........... - _...,. - .. - --..__ .. Jut Side of Jlanbaltall. Tbe force bellind :, to tbe "dty" seteniiDDes lOUth. It wu a fi oome from otber denomiaationl a8d : j

~- lnllllolwtioa _is ~ I'DiiD*r. Philip lliiiii..-.- of JGIID sana liethodlst nen Giber taitta. \ 11s. ~ • ...,_. D/ An • 1 i'A.C. aaate, wbo will retft from tbe pulpit · Cllllln* • ._... 18 1.,. • ...._ .._ to Part Avenue Metbodist's membenbip \ e..- MdiDiist ~.;. ae asi.., •- · ;&mcaay after 43 years of service. Mr. ; is now as dtYerst u the city it servea, IU 1 ,.,.,.___..,....,JIIIllll. / j ·•Clute's approatll inclUdes a trlditional that di~mlty didn"t rome easily. M!· ! , .k j

~wonldp service, procrams to belp the Clarleremembenawtlitememberwho,m I ~ aeedy ad an attitude of welcome that em- tbe ear1y l!lliDa, refUied to let a JlhC*IIriPil ·.:tnees people of an races, bar.qrouDds and of herself in clwrdl appear in a mapline

1 :;pJtitic:al beliefs. In short, the Part Avenue bKause she didn't want to lie pidured :•ume, wttll i11 intbnatkms of exdllimty, standing w_ith a blact member and a Ko-!;*-not cWiDe tbe misskm of the dlurdl. rean-Amencan member. One of his fa· 1 · • Wbat about Ole mmgelic:al cburdles vorite stones about bow tbe chUrdli •:~~~at are drawing wunhippen away from ebanpd tor the better mncems tbe SUn- I :mainline Protestantism? Like tbe evangel· day a u.s. Senator worship])ed at Pan Av-1 ~ it.als, Mr. Clart.e says, "IIM!Iieve in a per- enue Metboctilt. oa1y to be rebUked by a ~ ;.ICIUI experifance of God In your life. But a steam fitter in tbe Brooklyn dockyards f« • ~church needs to fly on two wings: not just leaving the communion rail too early. I ·• tbe personal experieace but also sodal ::outreach.~

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.... THE 1\LL STREET JOURNAL. VOL. CCXXXIU NO. 118 F.EJCP * * FRIDAY. JUNE 18, 1999 lrmmMRT AoDRSSS: http://wsj.com

~Stepping Down, Looking Back .

Page 22: RESPONSE BY PHILIP CLARKE

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THE 1\LL STREET JOURNAL. VOL. CCXXXIII NO. 118 F~P * * FRIDAY. JUNE 18, 1999 iN'rKHNRT A.oi>R8SS: http://wsj.com

~Stepping Down, Looking IJack ·.

Page 23: RESPONSE BY PHILIP CLARKE

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THE 1\LL STREET JOURNAL. VOL. CCXXXIII NO. 118 f;&JCP * * FRIDAY, JUNE 18, 1999 iN'rKKNBT AoDRBss: http://wsj.com

1Stepping Down, Looking lJack ·.

Page 24: RESPONSE BY PHILIP CLARKE

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THE lLL STREET JOURNAL. VOL. CCXXXIII NO. 118 F~P * * FRIDAY. JUNE 18, 1999

~Stepping Down, Looking &Jck . be the oldest Methodist meetiDgbouse in :

1 tbe New Wortd.

IN'rmoon' ..\oDR§S: bttp://WSj.com

Over tbe next 100 yean. die dlui'dl : ftoUI1Ibed in a~ tat by the • late ttlll Cf!lltui'Y bad IM:come a fuhionable : residential d.islrid. lbl membmlbip bit 700 in tbe 18781 ud wu up to more tbaD UID in 192'1, when it JDO¥ed into ibl aJm!Dl .. j Tell & Metboltilt tbat Vnlt kJJOW a miDif-..o-~ , ... -, .. .nnaa...;LH .. .-areaburden' ~-.: WileD Mr. Ctlrke arrived at Part At· ........... ..-..~ .. --... ....._...... tel' trbo'l beea at die same dlllrc* lor G :

•enueiD115Uaelouodacbun:boatbellrinl to maay urban dmd1I!S today. But Mr. • ._;ran aadlle illibly to say a...,_ •: ::Gf dCJiille. Tbere 1ftft 25 or so memben, a ClatU sees Part AtSUe'P:_~drau a ~ lheliar befort IBm. Mr. Clatb's _... af

· ::........., m dilft9ab' IDd.., JDIMY. 'lbe boon; its Romanesque saudiW)' · WI i ~~~&viceatPaftAveoueilunbelrdofilttbe • om • .-... ...... -- .. ,. n·-· - __... in and is ~one cf cur moat com- . ..~ A..-a. _,___ -. ' ;--Y aJIII; .. .._...;,.. IUD uM senDOD, •"'~' ~"'"~""' - -..-. .. _ -.-u

. ' BOllia of Woi'IJ.I.. ·"l'tiiM!IIlllen thinking· '"l'lle cburdl is dead . ,eelinC evangelists." • . . ~spend aJDIXimUm olfiYe ....... : 'MJ' 1 ~:but~ they cbt't mow it.• Today ·· Mr. ClalU says he hunt tiDIIend i asirlltedlllrc:IJ.It'sa.,.._aat • ..... _.. ., .._ -......~u mucbwitb..-.. cf-.. *Oftl'ltle,ean. ·,._ · of..._"-'-·_ ... ""'"-". ---~ · \ B M 1 · v:_ .. __ · k .u.e.;.... .... bal mena~ ... a___., ... 1..... ........... ·=an., UliC ~··-.- .. _ •

. : ,: Y e arue n..uav•.tnc ,!~ tacliity uad, tbanb to~ man- ; ifi5 sen~ is Miormal" aod ......; iii:- i Clelltmy, nen lll!tJio&llt miDit-, • .. '\ . ,. ~ of a member wbo mew bil way eludes three hymnS, tbe Apdel' creed. : ten oa bolsellat!k folloRd t11etr fllds to ,- ::aruuac~ Wall Street, a beiJtby finandal tlleLord'sPrayerandasennoatbatnever: tbefnlotier. ';transform itself into a bustling boull! " , !!Ita~ indtMI;.. a trust «t • ml1Uua lasts more tban 2ll Jllimlls and never dis· ~ How did Mr. aaru ...-p to ~tim :•wonldpud a force for good in its ecmmu- :;dedleat~ ~needy dlurcbes iD cusses his peniOOill political VieWs. "Part : arouad 10 laDe? He dtl!!ll twa flcbln. o.e,

1 .:aitJ eu pertllps offer IOIDe iJ1sicbts for ~:NewYon..abelpillrtt.epoor. ofouraiJpealiatbatpeoplewllkiDandsay: bill mallie ~ e 1.- ca. 1 ::dba' llnaatiDr dwrtbes. ,. Pam A,_. Medlodid lint opeoed i&s It's De my cburr.h back home," be says. : staaUy ,., It •• De_... a.., dluldt \ .• Tbe dlUI'dl is Part Avenue United ::docniDlDTiaYCJrtvtle,a.nu..-ia•- RouchlY&O%oftbecurreatmemberiCDPe: -Aft_ .. ADd tw ... lleanlld te '.· .. Jietboctilt Olurcb ~orated tile·- ·- -...- - u .................. _ ....... ;the CJiber; ~ • ._~-------.··' ! ·' • . on ... _ ~:Me•UI• tllea CliiiiM!dlld by lllpcloKb =."=-from· . ~de-.;,_'-~- -- ri ........ - .. - .,.,.._ .. ___ ; ..... Side 0( JlanbattaJl. 'I'be force bebind . ,...,_., -1 -n- -- ft ...,-,., ...,..... UUIQ IIIUIIUIWUUIIIt -:·.-_...a.-.,.._ ts .... _ ... ...._. ....... -~r.u.r ..... , _wa ____ .. a f 1

- ~~-- ........ ._ • ....... · - ..~ ~-u~ evenotber litlll. i Jls. -s-:. o _,.. ""Alrt Av- . •... ·.·"C.~ • ...._,-... -'D _..._- ,_ -alnit . --, :::!::::::..-~--,'=..=!.. ~ t' --. ..... \ _,.,...._, "' a. ~- ..... ...... ~"' uuou IlK.....- ___ .. _ _ _ Put Avenue MetbodiS s mem ..... -- ~ ~ ~. ;sllle...,.,tlllli· · ;Sunday alter u yean ll semce. Mr. • isoowasdiverseutbecityitll'ftet,ld 1 ,.,.,.~ .. ....,,.,. /j .,Qarte's approach includes a trlditioftal tb&t dlnnlty didn't come easily. ~- I, , -kl

~wonldp smite, )JI'OihmS to belp the Clalterememberuwtlitememberwho,m I ~ !Ieedy ud an aWtude .. weJaue tbat em- tbe ea11y llllla, mu.t to tela Jlbokllnpb :~nm~ pq1e 11 an races, bat.kgroqDds and of henelf in cburdl appear in a maguiDe

1

::PlliticaJ beliefs. In short, the Part Avenue because sbe didn't want to bt l*tUJ'fd !•ume, Wlth its indmatlolls ci etdulmty, staDdlng with a blatt member and~ Ko-!:esnotdefiDetbfmissioooftbedlurd\. rean-American member. ODe of bis fa·, · • What about tbe evangelical cbUI'thes vorite stories about bOw tbe church 1 •: lbat are drawing worshippers away from cbaJII!d tor the better c:onoems the sun- I :mainline Protestantism? Like the evangel· day a U.s. Senator worshipped at Part Av· \ ._ieals, Mr. Clarke says, "I hl!lieve in a per· enue Methodist. only to be rebuked by a~ ~ 100&1 experittnce of God ln your life. But a steam fitter in the BrootJyn dockyards for 1

~chUrch needs to fly on two wings: not just leaving tbe rommunion rail too early· I ·• the penonal experience but also social ::outreach.~