Brooklyn Senior Dinner

December 13, 2008

by Carol Alston

On Saturday, December 13, the Brooklyn, New York, Apostolic Faith Church hosted its first senior dinner. During one of his initial services after assuming the Brooklyn pastorate, Reverend Eugene Segres told about the different segments of the congregation that he loves the most—the young people, the middle-aged, and the seniors! He said that he had previously been accused of ignoring the latter group, and catering more to the youth ministry. With that in mind, he was determined to begin his pastorate in New York on the right foot—with a dinner to honor the seniors and show them appreciation for upholding the standard of the Gospel. Brother Segres’ announcement stirred excitement among all, but particularly those who considered themselves to be of “senior status.” However, to the disappointment of some, the “senior” label was given to those who had reached the age of seventy and older. According to one of the event organizers, the “younger” seniors were needed to help in the kitchen!

When the eagerly awaited night arrived, each attendee was met with an atmosphere of anticipation and excitement, and it was clear that this would be a night like none other. The honorees, dressed in floor-length gowns and black suits, were each presented with red-rose corsages or boutonnieres shortly after they arrived. Stepping through burgundy and gold balloon arches that framed the doorway, and under gold spiraling metallic stars that hung from the ceiling, the seniors were escorted to their places of honor at rectangular tables located in the front of the room. The lower auditorium, known by the old-timers as “the blue room,” was beautifully transformed with round tables draped with white linen tablecloths, and set with white gold-trimmed china plates and gold utensils for those who came to honor the seniors. Pine cones were scattered throughout the room to scent the air, and each table was topped with white candles and fresh poinsettias—white for the honoree tables and red for the others—in honor of the Christmas season.

In addition to the honorees and their family members, the black-tie event was also attended by several saints and pastors from neighboring Apostolic Faith Churches. The menu included a full array of appetizers, including Swedish meatballs, bruschetta with fresh shrimp served with seedless cucumbers and cherry tomatoes, and mixed green chef salads, all served by black-clad waiters and waitresses. Guests were then given tiny servings of sorbet to cleanse their palate before they indulged in their choice of baked ham with cherries and pineapple, fresh-baked red kingfish, roast beef, baked chicken, and a number of other delicious side dishes that were served along with fresh fruit punch, delicious homemade sorrel punch, and ice water. For those with a sweet tooth, a variety of desserts were available, including pound cake, sweet potato pie, peach cobbler, and white and gold-decorated Dominican-style cake with pineapple filling.

Twenty-two seniors were honored that night, and many were given the opportunity to share their personal testimonies. The junior, youth, and adult choirs serenaded the event with several songs including “The Lord Is My Shepherd,” “Ride On, King Jesus,” and “We Thank You, Lord.” Truly the weeks of preparation culminated in a night to remember. As Reverend Segres brought out in his remarks, even though all those present did not grow up together, it was a blessing to share the evening with those who had served in the Gospel for many years, and were holding true to their position as part of the family of God.