Bill Text: NY J01874 | 2019-2020 | General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Congratulating The Reverend Father Darryl F. James for his retirement after 35 years of distinguished ministry to the residents of Queens, New York

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2019-06-12 - ADOPTED [J01874 Detail]

Download: New_York-2019-J01874-Introduced.html

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Senate Resolution No. 1874

BY: Senator COMRIE

        CONGRATULATING The Reverend Father Darryl F. James
        upon  the  occasion of his retirement after 35 years
        of  distinguished  ministry  to  the  residents   of
        Queens, New York

  WHEREAS,  The character and richness of religious and community life
in this noble Empire  State  is  nourished  and  fulfilled  through  the
faithful  concern  and selfless devotion of those who would commit their
energies and purpose to the ministry of others; and

  WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative  Body  to  bring  full
recognition  and  just  tribute  to  those  individuals  who distinguish
themselves and the ministry through  their  unremitting  commitment  and
preeminence of service; and

  WHEREAS,  This  Legislative Body is justly proud to congratulate The
Reverend Father Darryl F. James upon  the  occasion  of  his  retirement
after 35 years of distinguished ministry to the residents of Queens, New
York; and

  WHEREAS,  For the last 12 years, Reverend Father Darryl F. James has
served as the Rector of the historic Grace Episcopal Church in  Jamaica,
Queens,  the  position  from  which he will officially retire in June of
2019; and

  WHEREAS, This auspicious  milestone  will  be  celebrated  over  the
course  of  three  days  with  a myriad of events from June 21-23, 2019,
including a Gala held on Saturday, June 22, 2019, at Terrace on the Park
in Flushing, New York; and

  WHEREAS, Darryl Farrar James  was  born  to  Laurayne  (Farrar)  and
Anthony James, Sr. on July 3, 1954, in Bridgeport, Connecticut, and grew
up  in both Richmond, Virginia, and Spring Valley, New York; in 1975, he
earned his Bachelor of Arts degree  from  Howard  University,  and  four
years later, his Master of Divinity degree from Yale University; and

  WHEREAS,  After  graduating, Darryl F. James was assigned to Trinity
Cathedral in Newark, New Jersey, where he worked under the  tutelage  of
Dean  Dillard Robinson; he was then ordained as a deacon in 1984, at St.
Matthew's and St. Joseph's Church, where he was also appointed Assistant
for Youth and Young Adult Ministries; and

  WHEREAS, In 1985, Darryl F. James was ordained to the priesthood  by
the  Reverend  John M. Burgess in Detroit, Michigan; later that year, he
became the Rector of the  Messiah-St.  Bartholomew  Church  in  Chicago,
Illinois, where he remained for 21 years; and

  WHEREAS,  Reverend  Darryl  F.  James  was subsequently named to the
Chicago School Board, serving from 1990-1995; also in 1990, he was named
the National President of the Union of Black Episcopalians; and

  WHEREAS,  In   2007,   Reverend   Darryl   F.   James   became   the
Priest-in-Charge of the Grace Episcopal Church in Jamaica, Queens; three
years later, he assumed the role as church Rector; and

  WHEREAS, In this capacity, Reverend Darryl F. James launched several
initiatives  including  the  Bishop  Thompson, Jr. Summer Music and Arts
Workshop, the annual  Father's  Day  Men  of  Valor  Luncheon,  and  the
Volunteers Appreciation Dinner; and

  WHEREAS,  In 2005, Reverend Darryl F. James, in partnership with St.
Luke's Episcopal Church,  assisted  Hurricane  Katrina  victims  in  New
Orleans,  Louisiana,  providing  aid  and performing mission work in the
region; this compassionate man also  participated  in  a  pilgrimage  to
Northern India, visiting the Diocese of Mumbai and North India in Delhi,
and  sponsored college tours for prospective college students throughout
the United States; and

  WHEREAS, As a member of the Diocese of Long Island  and  the  Queens
community,  Reverend Darryl F. James joined the Investment Committee and
the Episcopal Health Service  Board  of  Managers,  and  co-founded  the
Downtown  Jamaica  Clergy;  later,  he served as President of the Queens
Federation of Churches; and

  WHEREAS, Reverend Father Darryl F. James has brought to his ministry
an overwhelming spirit of charity and compassion, acting from vision and
enlightenment in conducting his  administrative  and  spiritual  duties,
while   always   displaying   the  highest  standards  of  personal  and
professional integrity and dedication; and

  WHEREAS, This distinguished man of God has always given guidance and
wisdom to the many entrusted to his care and has administered abundantly
and unstintingly to the spiritual and corporal needs of all; and

  WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when a person
of such noble aims and accomplishments is brought to our attention it is
appropriate  to  publicly  and  jubilantly  proclaim  and  commend  that
individual for the edification of others; now, therefore, be it

  RESOLVED,  That  this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate The Reverend Father Darryl Farrar James upon  the  occasion
of  his  retirement  after  35  years  of  distinguished ministry to the
residents of Queens, New York, noting his unremitting and  compassionate
faith  and  his  exemplary  service  to God, man, and his community, and
extending to him the heartfelt best wishes of this Legislative Body  for
a future of purposeful success and well-being; and be it further

  RESOLVED,  That  a  copy  of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Reverend Father Darryl Farrar James.