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In just about six months, the United Methodist Church of Bay Shore raised a whopping $190,000-plus for its upcoming repairs and renovations project.
Back in January, the church’s pastor, the Rev. Wendy Modeste, and board of trustees president, David Timmoney, sat down with GreaterBayShore to talk about the church’s needs for rebuilding the downtown’s oldest house of worship, and its outmoded parsonage in Brightwaters.
At that time, the group had collected around $64,000 of the $350,000 needed to properly fix both structures– $250,000 for the church, and $100,000 for the parsonage.
Following that article and then other media attention that followed, many people stepped forward to donate, Rev Modeste said, from those within the congregation to outsiders who wanted to see the buildings rehabilitated.
“We are invigorated,” said Timmoney,”We couldn’t have got this far without the community.”
The United Methodist Church leaders said they have received much support from the Bay Shore Chamber of Commerce, as well as the neighboring St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church.
“Msgr. Thomas Coogan came to our open house,” said Timmoney.
As far as donations go, one of the largest came a from a Bay Shore businessman who wants to remain anonymous.
“He read about the campaign and sent us a check for $75,000,” said Modeste.
And that’s not all.
The benefactor is offering up a challenge to help raise even more money.
“He challenged us to raise another $25,000 and he will match it,” said Modeste.
It’s not the size of the donation that counts or inspires, says Rev. Modeste, but the number of people involved.
“No donation is too small,” she said. “I want everyone to participate so we can celebrate together.”
As of now, the Methodist Church is hoping to begin work on the exterior this summer and the interior sometime after the holidays.
“We are so grateful to be a part of this community,” said Rev. Modeste. “It is amazing how much people care.”
to donate
The Bay Shore United Methodist Church has set up a PayPal account to receive donations.
To donate, click here.
Also, you can send a check made out to the Bay Shore United Methodist Church and mail to 107 East Main Street, Bay Shore, NY, 11706, c/o Rev. Wendy Modeste.
Top: The Rev. Wendy Modeste in front of the United Methodist Church of Bay Shore. (Credit: Nicholas Esposito)
prior coverage:
https://bayshore.greaterlongisland.com/2018/01/20/this-bay-shore-church-is-reaching-beyond-its-congregation-for-building-help/
