Bethlehem Lutheran Church
The Heart of Bay Ridge
Sunday Service 10:30am
4th & Ovington Avenues
Brooklyn NY 11209
718.748.9502
Dear Members and Friends,
Last Friday evening (October 25th) two of our ministries came together for a wonderful fundraising event. Below is my journal letter to the Friends and Supporters of The Healing Center.
Bethlehem Lutheran Church embraces and supports several ministries that enhance the lives of the people in our community. We own the Lutheran Elementary School of Bay Ridge, and we are faithfully connected to the Bay Ridge Center and The Healing Center. We care about every age group and every person from the youngest student in our school to the oldest member of the Bay Ridge Center. All the clients of The Healing Center and their families are dear to us and we are committed to helping them rebuild the brokenness of their lives.
It is especially meaningful when our ministries intersect with each other and we see the wonderful dynamic of multiple staffs coming together to care for people in need. This is what we are recognizing this evening, as our theme of Elder Justice is a driving force behind the work of both the Bay Ridge Center and The Healing Center. We have also included the United Senior Center of Sunset Park in our celebration. Family violence is not just an issue for the young and middle age population. Family violence impacts older adults also, as they are especially vulnerable to so many abuses.
There are champions for Elder Justice in our community. Todd Fliedner, Executive Director of the Bay Ridge Center, and Grisel Amador, Executive Director of the United Senior Center of Sunset Park, are two of these champions. Their lives have focused on service to others and their dedication to the older adult community is extraordinary. They are to be commended and congratulated for their selfless giving spirit to the ministries they lead. We honor them tonight.
Also, however, we wish to spotlight The Healing Center’s Elder Justice program, which seeks to inform and support the older adult population with respect to the abuses they endure. All too often, older adults are not even aware of the negative impacts in their lives and they don’t know where to turn when they face injustice. The Healing Center is here for them. We are so grateful for The Healing Center’s staff who tirelessly work to assist all those suffering in silence.
Bethlehem Lutheran Church has embraced The Healing Center as a partner in ministry. This wonderful ministry is embraced with our love, our financial support, our emotional support and our prayers. We are blessed by this incredibly meaningful relationship.
If any older adult is experiencing abuse of any kind, The Healing Center can help. Please reach out to me for assistance.
In the Lord's service,
Rev. Paul H. Knudsen
Pastor Paul's November Message
Bethlehem Lutheran Church ® | 4th & Ovington Avenues, Brooklyn NY 11209 | 718.748.9502
A member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA)
