History
of the Council
The Council of Churches of the City of New York is the
first interdenominational organization established as
the Brooklyn Church and Mission Society in 1815. The Council
is also the oldest council of churches in the US, organized
in 1895 as the New York Federation of Churches and Christian
Workers with Dr. Walter Laidlaw of the NY Collegiate Church
as the first Executive. In 1900, the Council developed
a Census method to reach households which later was adopted
by the Federal Census Bureau. In 1943, it became The Protestant
Council of the City of New York, formed by the consolidation
with the Brooklyn Church and Mission Society, the Metropolitan
Federation of Daily Vacation Bible Schools, and the Interdenominational
Committee on Released Time. In the 1960s, the Council
built the Protestant Chapel at JFK Airport, the Protestant
Pavilion at the 1964-65 New York World’s Fair which
produced the award-winning film, Parable, and the distinguished
Family of Man annual banquet recognizing world leaders:
President John F. Kennedy in 1963. In 1968, the Council
adopted its current name. In 1989, it began its focus
on public policy issues and advocacy for the poor, and
special programs of direct assistance. The Board of Directors
is comprised of the Bishops and Executives of member denominations
and two leaders of each of the five independent borough
council’s of churches. It is also a leadership forum
for the Christian community of New York City.
Care for the Caregivers
In response to 911 the Council provided the Care for
the Caregiver Project an integrated health and skill-building
program for religious leaders in New York. The project,
supported by the September 11th Fund, trained over 1,000
leaders in NYC to identify/work with Post Traumatic
Stress Disorder, Depression, Compassion Fatigue and
Anxiety. The Project launched its second phase of program,
Keeping It Real. Keeping It Healthy, that includes assessment,
evaluation, counseling and standards for referrals for
clergy. Leadership Consultation Circles are led by a
pastor and a mental health professional team. Each group,
of ten pastors, will meet every other week for three
months. An analysis of problem cases will build pastor
self-esteem and improve self-care. Chaplaincy certification
is available for eligible candidates.
Advocacy
A key effort of the Council is in the raising of critical
issues in the public square with and on behalf of its
churches and members. The Council coordinates meetings
with city and state officials on such subjects as homelessness,
low-cost housing, poverty, welfare programs and policing
in the community. It also provides roundtables engaging
with corporate, non-profit and political leaders around
a public vision for the city which also develops an
infrastructure for preparing public policy position
papers.
Awards and Recognition Banquet
Each Fall the Council presents an Awards Banquet recognizing
Christian leaders in New York City whose ministry and
service display courageous pioneering leadership demonstrated
in their lifetime achievements.
Pastoral Care and Chaplains
The Council offers a certification program for pastoral
counselors and chaplains with Dr. Raymond Lawrence,
as the Chairperson. The Board members are professional
chaplaincy supervisors overseeing Clinical Pastoral
Care programs in the New York area. The Department of
Pastoral Care offers consultative services, chaplaincy
certification, job screening, personnel procurement,
placement assistance and Clinical Pastoral Education
(CPE). The Council also operates the Christ For the
World Chapel at JFK Airport Terminal 4 with Rev. Patricia
Evans as the Chaplain. The chapel provides Sunday worship,
Bible study, chapel counseling, and bringing encouragement
to airport employees and the traveling public. In times
of crisis, air disaster counseling is a critical component
of this ministry. The Chapel sponsors an Award Luncheon
each April.
Education for Christian Leaders
An Annual Pastor’s Conference is at the center
of continuing education programs that the Council provides.
The event provides opportunities for pastors to interact
with world renowned leaders and gather for training
to be more effective leaders, networking with colleagues
for ministry collaboration and preparation as leaders
serve the people of God.
Youth Leadership Development Program
The Council has a yearlong youth program for at-risk
youth in New York metropolitan area. It provides interaction
among youth from diverse ethnic, social, cultural and
racial backgrounds, and provides mentoring and leadership
experiences designed to promote positive career and
life choices. These experiences serve to create a community
among peers to which at-risk youth could return for
continued support that provides ongoing relationships
with older youth and adult mentors that are lacking
in these youths’ home communities.
|
