Eighth Annual Easter Gathering in Morgan Park

While there has been a long tradition of Easter services being held in Morgan Park, it was in 2016 when three churches came together to establish a committee to oversee the festivities. The bilingual service, featuring both English and Spanish, kicked off with the joyful proclamation of "Christ is Risen" echoed in eight different languages, symbolizing the universal significance of Easter celebrated by Christians worldwide. Over time, the committee expanded to include seven churches, drawing an annual attendance of over 200 individuals from the Glen Cove vicinity. During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, a virtual adaptation garnered over 2000 online viewers, with resounding "hallelujahs" flooding the comment section on Facebook from as far away as Japan and Scotland. That year, Fr. Kevin Dillon, who was then serving as Pastor of St. Boniface Martyr Catholic Church, reassured all watching that, "The spirit of Easter endures!"

This year, the collaborative efforts of eight member-churches will host the celebration, including Calvary A.M.E Church, First Baptist Church, First Presbyterian Church, Glen Cove Christian Church, Iglesia Ciudad de Refugio, St. John’s of Lattingtown Episcopal Church, Iglesia Ciudad Casa de Dios Internacional, and St. Paul’s Episcopal Church.

Those leading the service include Rev. Roger C. Williams with First Baptist Church, Pastor Tommy Lanham with Glen Cove Christian Church, Pastor Alfredo Fuentes with Embajada Cristiana Internacional New York, Rev. Fr. Shawn Williams with St. Paul's Episcopal Church, and Evangelist Claudette Bryan with Calvary A.M.E. Church. Those assisting with the service will include Evangelist Merle Richards, Minister Carol Buchanan, Elder Gaitley Stevenson-Mathews, soloists Margaret Darson and Annette Stephens, bagpiper Robert Lynch, guitarist Donna Brady, and members of the Easter Dawn Community Choir.

All are invited to attend the half-hour celebration, which aims to provide Easter celebrants with an opportunity to unite as a community before attending their respective full masses or services later in the morning. Early arrival to the 7 am service is recommended to allow time for a serene walk down to the beach, where the celebration takes place overlooking Hempstead Harbor. This is a rain-or-shine celebration.

For additional information, please visit the committee’s official Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/GlenCoveEaster. North Shore resident Robert Lynch will once again open the Annual Bilingual Community Easter Dawn Service with a rendition of Amazing Grace on the bagpipes.

Photo courtesy of the Community Easter Dawn Service Committee.