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10th Annual Easter Dawn Service Unites Community

Clergy and community members gather for bilingual Easter service in Morgan Park, continuing a decade-long tradition

P. Frome, Community Contributor
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Rev. Roger C. Williams of First Baptist Church, one of three clergy delivering the Easter message, offers his remarks during the 10th Annual Bilingual Community Easter Dawn Service.
Rev. Roger C. Williams of First Baptist Church, one of three clergy delivering the Easter message, offers his remarks during the 10th Annual Bilingual Community Easter Dawn Service. (Photo courtesy Easter Dawn Committee)

Despite overcast skies, Morgan Park once again became a gathering place for community and reflection as residents came together—both in person and via Facebook Live—for the 10th Annual Glen Cove Community Easter Dawn Service.

The bilingual (English/Spanish) service opened with the moving sound of “Amazing Grace,” performed by bagpiper Robert Lynch of the Church of St. Boniface Martyr at the base of a 17-foot cross overlooking Hempstead Harbor. Long before clergy, singers, and attendees arrived, the cross had been erected on the beach, serving as a powerful and symbolic backdrop to the morning’s gathering and a reminder of the message at the heart of Easter.

Clergy and faith leaders are joined by members of the community for a group photo following the 10th Annual Bilingual Community Easter Dawn Service in Morgan Park.

From there, the service unfolded through prayer, scripture, and music, including the opening hymn, “Jesus Christ Is Risen Today,” sung in both English and Spanish by the Easter Dawn Choir and accompanied on guitar by Donna Brady of Shelter Rock Church. Additional musical offerings included solo performances by Cami Campagnoli of Shelter Rock Church and Margaret Darson of Calvary A.M.E. Church.

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A highlight of the service was the proclamation of “Christ is Risen” in many languages, once again offering a powerful expression of unity and shared faith across cultures. In addition to members of the choir, participants in this portion of the service included librarian Lydia Wen Rodgers, Loggia Glen Cove Trustee Angelo Stanco, and community members Diane Vanbremmer and Jörg Leheste.

Bagpiper Robert Lynch performs during the 10th Annual Community Easter Dawn Service.
Fr. Philip Sandrick of Saint Josaphat’s Monastery, one of three clergy delivering the Easter message, delivers his message during the 10th Annual Bilingual Community Easter Dawn Service. The service was also broadcast via Facebook Live and can be viewed on the Easter Dawn Facebook page at facebook.com/GlenCoveEaster/.
Pastor Cristino Fuentes of Iglesia Apóstoles y Profetas Emanuel, one of three clergy delivering the Easter message, shares his message during the 10th Annual Bilingual Community Easter Dawn Service.
Donna Brady accompanies the Easter Dawn Choir on guitar as the service opens with “Jesus Christ Is Risen Today,” sung in both English and Spanish during the 10th Annual Community Easter Dawn Service.

Clergy from several local churches participated throughout the service. Pastor Tommy Lanham of Glen Cove Christian Church delivered the Opening Prayer remotely due to recent health issues. Evangelist Merle Richards of Calvary A.M.E. Church offered the Invocation, while Evangelist Claudette Bryan of Calvary A.M.E. Church read Scripture in English. Pastor Raul Martinez of Iglesia Ciudad Casa de Dios Internacional delivered Scripture in Spanish.

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Sharing the Easter Message were Fr. Philip Sandrick of Saint Josaphat’s Monastery, Pastor Cristino Fuentes of Iglesia Apóstoles y Profetas Emanuel—whose congregation is located at 7 North Lane in the former First Presbyterian Church and who participated in the service for the first time this year—and Rev. Roger C. Williams of First Baptist Church, a longtime participant in the Easter Dawn Service. Camilla Carusone of Shelter Rock Church served as translator for the bilingual service.

Members of the community gather in Morgan Park for the 10th Annual Community Easter Dawn Service.
Evangelist Claudette Bryan of Calvary A.M.E. Church reads Scripture during the 10th Annual Community Easter Dawn Service.

Rev. Roger C. Williams reflected, “Easter reminds us that hope is alive and present among us, and gatherings like this show the strength of a community united in faith.”

Donna Brady added, “It’s meaningful to see so many different cultures, languages, and faith traditions coming together to celebrate the one thing we all share—the message of Easter.”

Pastor Cristino Fuentes shared, “It is an honor to take part in this service for the first time and to stand together with the community in faith.”

As has become a tradition of the service, clergy, faith leaders, and others involved gather briefly in prayer prior to the start of the 10th Annual Community Easter Dawn Service.
Pastor Raul Martinez shares Scripture in Spanish as Camilla Carusone provides translation.
Elder Gaitley Stevenson-Mathews, who helps organize the service along with fellow committee members, thanks those gathered just prior to the close of the 10th Annual Bilingual Community Easter Dawn Service.

The annual service is made possible through the continued collaboration of local churches. Host churches include Calvary A.M.E. Church, First Baptist Church, Glen Cove Christian Church, Iglesia Ciudad de Refugio, Iglesia Ciudad Casa de Dios Internacional, Iglesia Apóstoles y Profetas Emanuel, St. John’s of Lattingtown Episcopal Church, and St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. Officials and community leaders in attendance included County Legislator Delia DeRiggi-Whitton; Glen Cove Councilman Michael Ktistakis; Loggia Glen Cove President Ralph Ciano; Comité Cívico Argentino President Lia Di Angelo; and North Shore Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Vice President Ever Padilla.

Fr. Philip Sandrick of Saint Josaphat’s Monastery addresses those gathered as they look on during the 10th Annual Community Easter Dawn Service in Morgan Park.

Organizers thanked the City of Glen Cove Mayor’s Office and Parks Department, along with the Police Department, Auxiliary Police, Volunteer Fire Department, EMS, and Harbor Patrol, for their support and for helping ensure a safe event. Appreciation was also extended to the many individuals, businesses, and sponsors who make the service possible.

Long before clergy, singers, and attendees arrive, the 17-foot cross is erected on the beach overlooking Hempstead Harbor. Serving as the backdrop to the service, it stands as a powerful reminder of the message at the heart of Easter.

The service was also broadcast via Facebook Live and can be viewed on the Easter Dawn Facebook page at facebook.com/GlenCoveEaster/ or via the YouTube link below. The gathering offered a visible sense of community, as those in attendance came together in a shared spirit of faith, reflection, and hope.

facebook.com/GlenCoveEaster/

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