Annual Report 2022

...Here for You

...Here for You

Dear Marble Family,

As I look back on this year, I am amazed how much change we have experienced personally and as a church. Unfortunately, we do not deal with change well, and yet it is often the very thing we need. It forces us out of the routine of our lives to discover something new. In fact, change stands at the heart of faith. In scripture it says, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God — what is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:1-2). Faith asks us to be open to being transformed and becoming something new.

This is just as true for a community of faith as it is for us personally. Our shared faith is calling us to open ourselves to change, and we should be so thankful this is possible. In our history, if Marble had not been open to the transforming presence of God, we would still only have male pastors and would not accept LGBTQ+ persons! Can you imagine?! We would not be the wonderfully diverse and inclusive community Marble has become today unless we had opened ourselves to change and transformation.

God is still calling us to be open to change, but this does not mean we jettison our past. As one congregant put it so poignantly: “We need to look back in order to look forward. We need to take the best of Marble’s history and figure out how that needs to be transformed for this moment.” This is the beauty of the transforming work of God in Christ. It takes all of who we are and uses it to shape us into something new.

As we look back on 2022 and beyond, let us do so with a sense of what has anchored us but also how God is reshaping us and transforming us to reach new generations with a message of hope. And each step of the way, we need to remember God is with and leading us through it all. I cherish the words in Jeremiah, which were written to people who were undergoing tremendous turmoil and upheaval: “For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the LORD, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope” (29:11). May we hold onto this hope as we are being transformed.

In Christ,

Dr. Michael Bos Senior Minister

When I wrote to you in early 2022 reflecting on 2021, I thought it was the most extraordinary of years – still in the middle of a global pandemic, slowly creeping back into in-person Worship and programming. But as we would soon discover, 2022 would present significant new challenges for Marble, mostly because of the removal of the financial support from the Collegiate Church Corporation. Marble, and each of the four Collegiate Ministries, have received substantial support from Collegiate for centuries. Now that is gone and we are going to have to fend for ourselves and become self-supporting, a reality shared by most congregations but not historically experienced by Marble.

We put out the call and openly shared our financial reality, the FY21 results and the FY22 budget. And you, the people of Marble, stepped up and responded with support, love and generosity. We have worked to be much more transparent and forthcoming about the financial reality of our church and have set forth a challenge that we can rise to, together. Words cannot express our gratitude for the ways in which you have helped us navigate through this time.

Our congregation is a body – the body of Christ. We have many members and each person who is part of this ministry is valued and important. Healthy congregations are never focused on any one person, or a handful of “power holders.” Healthy congregations recognize the strength that comes from banding together and valuing each member of the body. The power of community is the body of Christ at its best. We have that at Marble, and you are part of this significant reality. Our new tagline is Marble Church …Here for You, and we mean that.

In this report you will see the results of another extraordinary year. Please know of our commitment to keep pressing forward with hope and optimism… positive thinking(!) even amidst the challenges we face. We remain undaunted and hopeful about the future for Marble. I am so glad you are part of it.

Rev. J. Elise Brown, Ph.D., Executive Minister

See, I am doing a new thing! - Isaiah 43:19

We have all done something new in 2022; something more than we have done before. In late October of 2022, Greg Lozier stepped down as Chair of Marble’s Board to focus on his health and I was invited to succeed him. I am very grateful for the opportunity to serve this congregation and this church. I am also firmly aware that I enter this role at a time in which we, the Marble Congregation, are continuing to experience a time of significant transition and transformation; a time in which we continue to process strong emotions over the uncertainties and challenges which change can create.

Change is seldom easy. What makes it better is the act of walking joyfully with one another, in fellowship and in service. In 2022, we walked together into the new thing God has in store for our community. This Annual Report tells that story. It describes a year in which Marble launched its congregant-driven strategic plan and further positioned itself to address our new financial reality responsibly and thoughtfully.

I am joyful because I enter this role of service to you alongside a board of intelligent, dedicated individuals who care passionately for this church and our congregation, and who give generously of their time, talent, and treasure.

I am joyful because I enter this role at a time in which Marble’s ministers and staff are deeply engaged and working to adapt to change with generosity, creativity, positivity, and overall aplomb.

I am joyful most of all because of Marble’s congregation. In 2022 we rose together to meet the needs, opportunities, and challenges of our community and of the world outside our doors.

Thank you, sincerely, for continuing to invest in Marble’s future, and in one another. As Wendell Berry once noted: “There is much good work to be done by every one of us, and we must begin to do it.”

Let the privilege of that work continue.

Matthew Morse, Elder & Board Chair

Strategic Plan

Mission

Marble Collegiate Church is a diverse, inclusive community of God’s people led by the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. We inspire everyone to become positive thinkers who make a difference in the world.

Visioning Marble’s Future From Strength to Strength

This year after months of preparation, Marble formed a Strategic Plan to help face several new challenges in our ministry. The process has been guided by our consultants, Jake Mulder and Dr. Yulee Lee, from the Leadership Formation Division of Fuller Seminary, and represents hundreds of hours of participation by members of the congregation, the staff, and the Board of Elders and Deacons.

This Strategic Plan presents a vision for a growing Marble Collegiate Church – growing in faith, growing in relationships, and growing in strength. It celebrates the strength of Marble’s 168 years that have preceded us and also anticipates the additional strength we will develop, guided by our faith and our commitment to God and to Marble.

The Growing Priorities presented in this plan explore the opportunities our Marble Community have identified. The plan also identifies our challenges, most significant of which is a new financial reality. This reality requires new reliance on the support of our own congregation and careful, healthy stewardship of Marble’s resources. We are living into a new phase of Marble’s history.

Strategic Plan

Values & Commitments

Love. Diversity. Community. Action.

Love

We strive to follow the way of Christ by choosing love rather than hate, grace rather than judgment, forgiveness rather than retaliation, acceptance rather than intolerance, and hope rather than despair.

Diversity

Our gratitude for the marvelous mosaic of God’s creation leads us to embrace diversity, value individuality, respect differences, and encourage creativity. In doing so, we provide the space and place for all to be seen and heard.

Community

Faith is not only a personal experience; it’s a call to community in which all generations and all stages of life are woven together in relationships and service to the world.

Action

We stand ready to partner with others who provide relief for those who suffer from poverty, disease, loneliness and oppression, and in doing so, we strive to create lasting change in our social fabric.

Growing Priorities

The following five Growing Priorities, reflecting much careful listening, reflection, and discussion, are designed to guide Marble from our current state into a bright and thriving future. Each of these priorities flows from Marble’s mission.

Growing with 20s & 30s and Families

Grow Marble’s leadership structures, ministries, activities, and overall culture to provide for a continuously flourishing and expanding community of 20s & 30s and Families.

Growing in Mission and Justice

Strengthen Marble’s role as a leader in promoting justice for all people through engagement in issues directly connected to our faith in Jesus Christ and Jesus’ call to love one another.

Growing Deeper Relationships

Develop stronger relationships, deeper connection, more intergenerational ministry and increased congregational diversity through Marble’s in-person and online activities.

Growing in Our Neighborhoods

Strengthen Marble’s visibility in the surrounding neighborhoods and grow participation by area residents, people who work in the area, and visitors to New York City in Marble programs, activities, and worship.

Growing Financial Sustainability

Change existing and create new processes and activities to achieve operational excellence, stronger congregational communication, and long-term financial sustainability.

Update from Task Force Leaders

Growing with 20s & 30s and Families: Abby Shue & Tre Danuser

Children, Youth, and Families at Marble has been growing steadily in the fall of 2022. Under the direction of the newly hired CYF Director and Youth Director, families have become more integrated into the Marble Community through Worship (ushering, Advent wreath lighting, scripture reading, welcoming the congregation from the Chancel, and the CYF Christmas Pageant) and volunteer and community gatherings (Merry, Merry Marble, Santa Letters, Gratitude Sunday among others). Upcoming projects for 2023 include implementing a volunteer teaching team for holiday Sundays, talkback opportunities for children with the CYF Director, providing social gatherings for parents, and incorporating Family Worship into select Sundays. The Task Force has spoken with experts in the field of building the 20s & 30s age group, and are researching various marketing and programming strategies to communicate effectively and grow current Marble offerings. Hospitality has updated Welcome Bags to highlight current events or volunteer opportunities for 20s & 30s to connect and engage more deeply with Marble. As a result of our work, we are seeing increased involvement from this age group both in worship services and during our social justice and volunteer opportunities.

Growing in Mission and Justice: Ted Gregory & Iyana Titus

The Social Justice Task Force was tasked with strengthening Marble’s role as a leader in promoting justice for all people through engagement in issues directly connected to our faith in Jesus Christ and Jesus’ call to love one another. To achieve this, the Task Force met on at least four separate occasions to discuss its mission statement which would center its goals and aspirations along with focus areas and potential initiatives. Currently, the mission statement has undergone a first draft and feedback and comments were provided. Focus areas have also been established: racial justice, migrants, LGBTQ issues, and mental health. Finally, the Task Force determined that other issues should be examined including, the use of multiple languages at Marble, reviewing Marble’s imagery to reflect diversity, and establishing standards concerning the hiring of staff and vendors which reflect diversity.

Growing Deeper Relationships: Jeannette Aycock & Marcie Doll

Our Task Force sought ways to increase staff and congregational participation that would emphasize fellowship across generational lines without adding a burden to the church budget. With that in mind, the entire congregation was invited to take part in the weekend holiday activities of CYF at Halloween and Christmas. The Women’s Ministry and Arts Ministry partnered for the first time to do the Advent Blog and we had record numbers of participants. PrimeTime and Women’s Ministry played an active role in Merry, Merry Marble with intergenerational tree-decorating, a Festive Coffee Hour, and Santa Letter selection. The prayer-focused staff members are now meeting monthly to coordinate the efforts of Stephen Ministry, Tuesday and Sunday prayer groups, and the Marble Prayer Ministry Team. Staff and congregational collaboration and good will have significantly increased.

Growing in Our Neighborhoods: Matt Morse & Barbara Sagan

In 2022, the Neighborhood Task Force began its work in Marble’s immediate neighborhood by examining cost-effective ways to augment existing neighborhood events (The Blessing of the Animals, CYF Halloween) via inter-event advertising, strategic partnerships, and event enhancement. We explored the use of targeted marketing and examined costs around public relations. We established a “Board Greeter Program,” and a monthly “Meet the Board” event to increase awareness of current congregational leadership and to further goals of transparency. We investigated potential LGBTQ+ faith organization partnerships.

In 2023, to bring the light of Christ into our surrounding neighborhoods, the Neighborhood Task Force looks ahead to forging further creative partnerships with local businesses and local public spaces, establishing further on-site service opportunities aimed at all commitment levels, and using creative marketing/ public relations strategies and explorative partnerships to better reach all our neighborhoods – regionally, nationally, and globally.

Growing Financial Sustainability: Renier Van Aswegan & John Hupalo

The Financial Sustainability Task Force has been working with other Task Forces, the Ministers, Board, and staff to explore ways to align everyone’s good work. As we live into our new financial reality through the congregation’s Strategic Plan, small adjustments to our already sound church structure will ensure that Marble’s strong financial position and vibrant ministries continue to grow. For example, Gratitude Sunday and our annual financial commitments have become extremely important as funding from the Collegiate Corporation is eliminated. This year’s service featuring Dr. Bos’ sermon, a reading from a CYF member and glorious music from three Marble Choirs was followed by wonderful online and in-person celebrations to show how small adjustments can make a big difference. Please pray with us for God’s guidance and share your ideas as we strive together to build the kingdom of God with joy, gratitude, and love at the Marble Collegiate Church.

New Spaces & More In-Person Events

With much planning and work, areas of our church building were renovated to give us more usable space. During Worship on May 1, 2022, we blessed the new rooms and dedicated them to the glory of God and the future strengthening of Marble’s Ministry. On that day, people explored the new 1st floor Youth and Ushers Room, the 2nd floor rooms for our Children, Youth and Families Ministry, and the 3rd floor Choir / Assembly Room which has since been used to host special PrimeTime lunches, a Peale Society event, and part of our Gratitude Sunday celebration.

Gratitude Sunday

This year’s Gratitude Sunday on November 13 was very special with an uplifting cross-generational service and celebration of thanks for God’s love and blessings. The Sanctuary was filled with music from the smallest voices of the Children’s Choir to boldest voices of our Marble Choir and Gospel Choir. We were inspired as the congregation came down the center aisle to offer their Expected Annual Giving Cards and our online congregation participated too. Each offering, no matter the size, is a meaningful commitment to the church and is cherished and appreciated. We had 260 in attendance in person and 1,046 online.

America After Roe v. Wade: Where Do We Go from Here?

Marble member Faye Wattleton, former co-founder and president of the Center for the Advancement of Women and past president of Planned Parenthood, Gloria Steinem, writer and political activist, and Kathryn Kolbert, reproductive rights attorney and pioneer for reproductive freedom, discussed the impact of the Supreme Court’s Roe decision and its ramifications on all people. And, most importantly, where the country goes from here. The event was hosted by the Marble Women’s Ministry and GIFTS. 685 people attended in person and online.

Easter 2022

We returned to in-person services for Holy Week 2022, the first since before the pandemic. Over 500 people attended on Easter Sunday when the Sanctuary was again filled with the sounds of brass, timpani, the full Marble Choir and the Marble Community celebrating the joy of the season.

Winter Gospel Celebration Concert

The Marble Community Gospel Choir, directed by Rev. Rashad McPherson, held our first in-person concert since March 2020. Through soul-stirring music, the Gospel Choir took us on a journey of song that inspired and empowered all who attended.

Ministry by the Numbers

Marble’s Ministry Engagement

Worship

9,183

In-Person Attendance

Increase of 25% from 2021 (August to December when Reopened)

Streaming for 2022

1,660

Average Weekly Views 86,330 Total Views

97

Total Countries

Program Participation

Average Monthly Attendance

750

Ministries / Programs include:

Children, Youth& Families

GIFTS: LGBTQ+

Women’s Ministry

PrimeTime (55+)

Prayer Circle

Arts Ministry

Afternoon Prayer

Gospel Choir

Social Media Followers

4,311

Chair Yoga

Small Groups

Tuesday Bible Study

Prayer Shawl Ministry

Racial Justice Series

Prayer Ministry

Tea Time

Ushers

Facebook Twitter

Instagram

930

TikTok

464

Fans Likes

Increase of 3% over last year

Increase of 13.5% over last year

845

Started this year

YouTube

735

Increase of 21% during 2022

Marble Community

3,198

New Members

6

1,676

1,522

Adherents

Website

56,048

Total Online Users

18

107,000

Members In Person Sessions

335,496

Pageviews

24

Total Joined by Confirmation

Advent & Lenten Blogs

52,000

Lent Blog: Daily Average Views

62,400

Advent Blog: Daily Average Views

116

Total Countries

Top 3 Searched Lenten Blog on Google

Reaching Out Easter Offering

Every year, Marble gives 100% of the money raised during the Easter Offering to carefully-vetted organizations around the world that make a positive difference in people’s lives. Thanks to the generosity of over 500 donors, the Marble Easter Offering raised 99% of its 2022 goal of $220,000. Those helped include the UNICEF program alleviating critical health and hunger needs in Afghanistan, an organization helping asylum applicants at our southern border, and several organizations meeting the hunger challenges in New York City.

Migrants Outreach

In October, there were 500 migrants staying in a shelter around the corner from Marble. They came to our doors seeking help and the Marble Community stepped up to the challenge. We collected over 1,044 items of clothing weighing over 440 pounds. Congregants and staff (including the maintenance crew) contributed by giving money, sorting and organizing clothing, and a few people volunteered to serve as Russian translators, a need that was requested by the migrants. We will continue to support this migrant community as we become aware of their ongoing needs.

Helping to Equip New York City Children for School

Marble’s Back-to-School Drive provided over 300 school items for nonprofits with populations displaced by traumatic events such as domestic violence and poverty, and families impacted by mass incarceration.

P.S.30 Tutoring – Marble tutors continued to provide over 30 hours of weekly tutoring services online in English and Math to students at P.S.30 in Harlem through June 2022. In October 2022, tutors resumed in-person tutoring. Some tutors have been with their tutees for years, providing constant support and love.

Operation Santa Letters

Marble congregants were full of the Christmas spirit. We are thrilled to report that we were able to fulfill every child’s request this year! Because of your support, we made over 380 children’s Christmases a little brighter — reaching more children than we have in recent years. Gifts were given to children in need at Icahn House, Osborne Association, Fresh Youth Initiatives and P.S.30.

Stephen Ministry

Stephen Ministry is a lay ministry through which congregants provide Christcentered care in one-on-one confidential Stephen Ministry relationships. Stephen Ministers support church members by walking alongside them with compassionate care, offering a listening ear for life challenges including depression, illness, grief, divorce, job loss, and other life issues. Last September 2021, 10 new Stephen Ministers were commissioned who completed 50 hours of training. On January 12, 2023 training will begin with 10 new congregants. Over the last 10+ years we have trained over 100 Stephen Ministers and Leaders.

Voter Outreach

Marble and Middle Collegiate Church joined forces to mobilize voter registration through efforts to encourage citizens around the country to vote in upcoming elections. The ongoing campaign included writing letters to underrepresented voters, as well as providing education on important electoral issues.

Food Drives

Marble congregants continue to provide over 80 pounds of non-perishable food items to a neighborhood shelter. Thanksgiving Baskets were also provided to over 100 families at Housing Plus in 2022.

unprecedented time of financial challenges.

We had 1064 giving households in FY2022, an increase over 978 in FY2021. For every dollar of this support, we say thank you! You will also see that congregant revenue grew by 8% in FY2022.

Our FY2022 revenue was lower than budget mostly due to our decision to draw only $1.4M from our Marble Endowment rather than the $2.3M that was initially approved in our FY2022 budget. We drew 5.3%, rather than the budgeted 8.5% draw. While our FY2022 expenses decreased significantly compared to FY2021 and our FY2022 budget (mostly because of voluntary staff attrition), we ended the fiscal year with expenses over income of $525,955. This was funded by cash on hand that had built up over time in Marble's checking account. We deemed it prudent to utilize cash on hand to fund our expenses rather than making the full budgeted draw from the Marble Endowment as part of our ongoing commitment to move Marble toward financial sustainability.

Rev. J. Elise Brown, Ph.D. Executive Minister

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to Dr. Elise Brown, Executive Minister, or Renier Van Aswegen, Marble Treasurer.

Marble Operating Results Revenue

Expenses (by department)

Adult Formation, Membership, Hospitality and Program Groups

Media and Communication (Live Streaming)

Caring for Our Staff – Finance and HR Benefits

Caring for Our Sacred Property, Facilities and Events

Capital Expenditures and Misc. Expenses

(Easter Offering distribution of $220,758 is included)

CYF Corner

In the midst of so much change and uncertainty in the world, Children, Youth & Families Ministry has continued to grow and thrive in new ways with God’s help. In the Fall of 2022, Brian Hampton returned as the CYF Director, Sarah Cheatham was hired as our new Youth Director, and four new CYF teachers were hired (including a singalong teacher for the Pre-K through 1st graders). Students returned (some who we hadn’t seen since before the pandemic), new students began attending, and registration grew by 25%. The average Sunday attendance for 2022 was 25 kids and youth – with 52 registered students in the program.

Back in Person

After spending all of 2021 online, CYF classes and choirs went hybrid (both online and in person) in the beginning of 2022 and in person only in the Fall of 2022. The CYF also relocated to brandnew classrooms and spaces this year. These beautiful spaces in the church building offer direct access to the Sanctuary and the congregational meeting spaces. As a result, this provided more opportunities for children to participate in Worship – such as ushering and greeting, reading scripture, lighting candles in the Advent wreath, singing, and attending special events with the congregation after Worship.

Christmas Pageant

The Christmas Pageant returned this Advent with 29 participants from ages 2 to adult, telling the story of Christmas during Worship with both scenes acted out by our children and youth and songs by the Youth Choir and Children’s Choir.

Scholarships

As a result of our generous Marble Scholarship donors, nine scholarships were given out this year to current college students and CYF alumni: James Banks, Amanda Crewey, Laura Cummings, Dylan Danuser, Sofia Testa Licata, Samantha Quan, Walker McSween, Ella Niewood, and Tya-Rae Washington-Boone.

Costume Party

In-person CYF special events returned in October with our first Halloween Costume Party since 2019 with 72 people attending – including our Marble families, new visitors — and the event also transformed into an outreach opportunity providing Halloween fun for migrant families that were housed nearby.

Ministry Snapshot

Arts Ministry

The Arts Ministry has been a part of Marble for over 41 years, and 2022 was one of the best yet! We offered a combination of online and in-person programming including art exhibits every month except July. Some highlighted events were The Asian Experience, the first-ever art exhibit at Marble celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in May, My Journey: a Conversation with Alexandra Foucard co-sponsored with GIFTS to celebrate Women’s Month in March, and the 6th Annual Marble Summer Arts Festival in June.

GIFTS: LGBTQ+

Our GIFTS Coffee Hours throughout the year welcomed an average of 30 LGBTQ+ people and allies for fellowship. During Pride Month, we had a special Worship showcasing a section of the AIDS quilt honoring those lost from the epidemic 50 years ago and watched the film version of the musical RENT with the CYF Youth. On Pride Weekend, we again hosted a Water Table on 5th Ave for the Dyke March and were excited for the return of our Pride Breakfast on June 26 with guest speaker Emil Wilbekin, human rights activist and founder of NATIVE SON. In the Fall, Rev. Rashad McPherson became our Pastoral Advisor, we bid farewell to longtime coordinator Don Piper upon his retirement, and we were pleased to co-host events including Roe v. Wade: Where Do We Go from Here? and the Racial Justice event, I Am What I Am: Queer, Questioning & Christian.

PrimeTime (55+)

Our first hybrid events, lunch with Sr. Carol Perry with 80 participants and Thanksgiving Lunch with Dr. Michael Bos with 55 participants, went well and were much appreciated by everyone. A November trip to The Christmas Spectacular at Radio City on one of the rainiest days of the year with all 26 ticket holders showing up was a testament to our PrimeTime troopers. Capping off the year with over 100 people joining in the Christmas spirit, was our annual Merry, Merry Marble festive favorite. Participants decorated tabletop trees which we donated to those in need and to some of our Marble shut-ins. There was even a special visit from Santa and Buddy the Elf.

Women’s Ministry

Inspired by their theme, Together We Rise: Stepping Out in Faith to Action, Marble Women’s Ministry (MWM) launched a full year of in-person and online programming with its beloved journaling mini-retreat with Nina H. Frost; the Lenten Blog followed and Spa Day explored Building Resilience Through Playing and Praying. May’s film night, featuring Eating You Alive, spawned a popular and continuing small group about the health and environmental benefits of plant-based eating. June saw the first of two outdoor events on Governors Island and the workshop, Find Joy in Each Day, with spiritual and creative colorist, Betsy Karp. September’s Coffee Hour welcomed everyone back, and a Harvest Outing to Central Park followed. In November, MWM partnered with GIFTS to host America After Roe v. Wade: Where Do We Go From Here? featuring long-time Marble member Faye Wattleton, along with Gloria Steinem and Kathryn Kolbert, drawing 685 participants. The Advent Blog invited sharings by the Arts Ministry, and the year ended in joyful community at the Christmas party.

Small Groups

Being part of a Small Group is a wonderful opportunity to grow spiritually and connect in a deeper way with others at Marble. Many groups that began in 2021 continued into 2022, notably among them: The Empowered Woman, weekly on Mondays and Thursdays led by Deedee Headings; Grace-Filled Gratitude, a four-week group led by Dr. Elise Brown in April 2021 with 60 participants and has continued to meet monthly, now led by Deacon Dr. Jeannette Aycock. Sacred Friends, a discipleship group started by Rev. Kirsty DePree in 2016, continues to meet weekly on Wednesdays currently led by Susan Philips with 15 regular participants. Dr. Elise Brown and Sister Carol Perry led On the Road to Jerusalem with Jesus for the Last Time during Lent for three weeks in March with 183 participants. Dr. Michael Bos led three weekly groups, including Time to Recalibrate, with 21 participants. In December, 30 people participated in reading former Senior Minister Dr. Michael B. Brown’s Advent Book, A LongAgo Birth in a Right-Now World, and joined him on Zoom for a Q&A session.

Racial Justice Series

This was our second year of our Racial Justice Series. At Marble, we know we must be committed for the long haul. The unjust and sinful acts toward people of color are intertwined with our country’s history. This means we must be committed to conversations, sometimes uncomfortable ones, about how racism manifests itself within us, between us, and in our organizations. Here are the topics we covered this year.

Justice and the Church: Rediscovering the Social Gospel for Ministry in the 21st Century

Sunday, January 16, 2022

In this event, we honored the legacies of Dr. King, Jr. and other pioneers of the Black Freedom Movement and discussed the paradigms of ministry that they exemplified; ministry rich in social action. Our special guests were Pastor Willie Francois, III (President, The Black Church Center for Justice and Equality), Rev. Raschaad Hoggard (Associate Minister, Abyssinian Baptist Church), and Dr. Donald Garner (Young Adult Co-Pastor, Greater Allen AME Church).

To Set the Church Free: Black & Latin Liberation Theologies

Sunday, February 20, 2022

This program focused on the questions: Do Black Lives Matter to God? Do the lives of people for whom English is a second language matter to God? Do the lives of people living in poverty matter to God?

Special guests Rev. Timothy Adkins-Jones, Ph.D. (Pastor, Bethany Baptist Church), Dr. Jorge Juan Rodríguez (Associate Director, Strategic Programming at the Hispanic Summer Program), and Dr. Amey Victoria Adkins-Jones (Assistant Professor, Theology and African Diaspora Studies at Boston College) talked about the continued relevance of the work of Black and Latin liberation theologians; whose approaches to ministry begin with oppressed people as the starting point.

In Search of Our Mothers’ Gardens

Lessons from Womanists to Build a More Inclusive Church

Sunday, March 17, 2022

In this talk, panelists discussed why a church that is sensitive to the idiosyncratic needs of minority womxn is a better church for all people. Our special guests included Dr. Eboni Marshall Turman (Associate Professor, Theology and African-American Religion at Yale Divinity School) and Dr. Amey Victoria Adkins-Jones (Assistant Professor, Theology and African Diaspora Studies at Boston College).

Racial Justice Series Talk Back

Sunday, May 22, 2022

In this conversation, we heard ways we can be part of the solution and see advocacy and engagement as part of our call to be disciples of Christ at work in the world. With special guest Dr. Tara Hyun Kyung Chung, Associate Professor, Ecumenical Studies at Union Theological Seminary.

Thursday, December 1, 2022

This discussion was a celebration of queer resilience — focusing on the stigma that follows people of all generations living with HIV/AIDS and the concept of “Imago Dei”, that all people are created in God’s image. With special guests Michael Roberson, Adjunct Professor, The New School & Union Theological Seminary; Shawn Torres-Anderson, Associate Pastor of Operations, Bethany Baptist Church; and Sonya Shields, Social Justice & LGBTQ Activist. The event ended with a time of meditation and prayer, honoring all the lives lost to the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

I Am What I Am: Queer, Questioning, & Christian

Notable Mentions

Blessing of the Animals

Even rainy October weather couldn’t keep cuddly and cute dogs, cats, turtles, stuffed animals and their owners from returning for another in-person Blessing of the Animals on 5th Avenue. Dr. Michael Bos and Rev. Susanah Wade prayed individually for all the animals in attendance as well as blessing photos of those who couldn’t travel to Marble.

Merry, Merry Marble

PrimeTime and CYF hosted this year’s festive favorite on a Sunday after Worship. All ages gathered in the Labyrinth Room to sing carols, visit with Santa and Buddy the Elf, and decorate trees and wreaths to share some Christmas spirit with those in need.

IT’S SIMPLE (NOT EASY): LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR

On Sunday, June 19 we hung ribbons again on the fence around the church – orange ribbons, the defining color of the Gun Violence Awareness movement. Included on these ribbons are tags that ask, “How will you love your neighbor?” We invited anyone to share ideas on how we can show love to one another and support an end to gun violence. Also included are resources that can help you get started. Let’s work together to put an end to gun violence and what has now become the leading cause of death for our children and teenagers.

Pride Worship & AIDS Quilt

LGBTQ+ Pride Month began with a service hosted by the GIFTS ministry remembering those who are no longer with us because of HIV/AIDS. Sections of the AIDS Quilt from the National AIDS Memorial in San Francisco were displayed and blessed in the Sanctuary, marking it’s 50th anniversary. The Marble Community Gospel Choir supplied music for this worship service.

Current Marble Staff and Board

Ministers

Dr. Michael Bos

Senior Minister

Rev. J. Elise Brown, Ph.D.

Executive Minister

Rev. Susanah Wade

Associate Minister

Program Leaders

Kenneth V. Dake

Director of Music

Christina Morano Keiser

Director of Media & Communication

Kim Sebastian-Ryan

Director of Membership & Connecting

Brian Hampton

Director of CYF Ministry

Staff

Virgilio Belen

Maintenance

Sarah Cheatham

Youth Director

Daniel Finegold

Part-time Production Assistant

Karla Fritsch

Publications Manager

Board of Elders & Deacons

Matthew Morse

Elder & Chair

Barbara Sagan

Elder & Vice Chair

Renier van Aswegen

Deacon & Treasurer

John Hupalo

Deacon & Secretary

Eileen O’Connell

Elder & Church Master

Jeannette Aycock

Deacon

Luis Furniel

Maintenance

Nick Giardina Media Production Specialist

Clay Hale

Development, Database, & Receivable Specialist

Joshua Hansen

Maintenance

Rick Harper

Events & Space Usage Manager

Karla Hendrick

Part-time Program Coordinator

Daphne Kim

Director of Human Resources

Greg Lum

Art Director

Beatriz Marin

Accounts Payable / Payroll Accountant

John McHugh

Property Manager

Baleta M. McKenzie

Director of PrimeTime & Small Group Ministries

Rev. Rashad McPherson

Associate in Ministry & Music

Fred Meads

Director of Children’s & Youth Choirs

Zoila Perez Receptionist

Yvon Plaisimond

Maintenance

Yvette Rosario

Part-time Receptionist

Mario Sprouse

Arts Coordinator

Gary Thompson

Wedding Coordinator

Mike Thurlow

Executive Assistant

Judy Tulin

Coordinator of Pastoral Care

Siobhan Tull

Program Leader for Online Community

Jerry Williams

Maintenance

Trenesa Danuser

Elder

Marcie Doll Elder

Tim Lee

Deacon

Gregory Lozier Elder

Larry Schafer

Deacon

Abigail Shue Deacon

Iyana Titus

Deacon

Brenda W. Walker

Elder

John E. Rorer, II

Elder Emeritus

Greg Walker

Elder Emeritus

Clair Zak

Elder Emerita