St. James Episcopal Church and National Alliance for Filipino Concerns

is a historic Church finding new life in the 21st century.

Once a Dutch neighborhood, Elmhurst is now a multicultural and pan-Asian community with a rapidly-growing Chinatown and clusters of Southeast Asian neighborhoods. At some point in its modern history, St. James departed from the mainstream Episcopal Church but in 2008 was won back by the Episcopal Diocese of Long Island. The task of reviving the congregational life and vitality of the church has been a challenge and a number of clergy have been assigned.

On April 1, 2013 the Rt. Rev. Lawrence Provenzano invited the Missioner for Asiamerica Ministries, the Rev. Dr. Winfred Vergara to serve as a part-time priest-in-charge and Rev. Paul Lai as associate priest to help St. James mission. The Rev. Vergara reorganized the mission to revive the three areas of ministry assigning lay coordinators to take care of the (1) Aesthetics - Building & Grounds (b) Spiritual- Liturgical Life and (c) Mission-Outreach. 

In order to win back those who have left the church and attract new members, the Sunday Service instituted Healing at 10:30 A.M. and strengthen the multiracial Eucharist at 11:00 A.M. On Vergara's first Sunday service on April 7, 2013 the attendance and offertory doubled. On the second Sunday, he announced his vision of helping the church to become a "healing, welcoming and serving community" in Elmhurst.

We hope that St. James Church in Elmhurst will rise again and become a viable Episcopal parish in the 21st Century. Please join us in prayer to God that the Holy Spirit will do it again. Revive this Church, O God in the name of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

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NAFCON is a national multi-issue alliance of Filipino organizations and individuals in the United States serving to protect the rights and welfare of Filipinos by fighting for social, economic, and racial justice and equality. At present, NAFCON members encompass over 23 cities in the United States.

Background

Throughout the United States, Filipino organizations and individuals have been engaged in community-based and worker-based organizing and leadership development. These groups have been at the forefront—fighting for social, racial and economic justice by waging campaigns on behalf of their constituencies.

Campaigns have included advocating issues in the Philippines, as well as internationally, and doing relief and support work for Filipinos facing crisis’ while in the midst of chronically impoverished situations. A national alliance amongst these organizations and individuals finally formed in 2003. The National Alliance for Filipino Concerns (NAFCON):

  • Forwards the advancement of community-based and worker-based organizing
  • Spearheads national campaigns on behalf of the most marginalized and impoverished sectors of society
  • Fosters the growth of community-based leadership
  • Promotes positive cultural exchange based on Filipino perspectives and experiences

Our Mission

  • Protect and advance the rights and welfare of Filipinos by fighting for social, economic and racial equality
  • Respond to the basic needs and interests of Filipinos in the US through education, action and national unity
  • Promote Filipino heritage as a positive cultural identity and contribution to US society
  • Pursue the call for international peace, based on social justice

Our Vision

  • Empowers and gives voice to Filipino communities in the United States
  • Celebrates Filipino heritage
  • Protects and respects Filipino rights and welfare
  • Effectively addresses Filipino interests and concerns
  • Gives Filipinos the opportunity to uplift the Philippine homeland and diaspora through social and economic reforms that strive for justice and lasting peace

Upcoming (0)

Sorry, there are no upcoming events

Past (1)

Summit on Human Trafficking:Communities Mobilizing Against ModernDaySlavery primary image

Summit on Human Trafficking:Communities Mobilizing Against ModernDaySlavery

Sat, May 10 • 10:00 AM

Free

Summit on Human Trafficking:Communities Mobilizing Against ModernDaySlavery primary image

Summit on Human Trafficking:Communities Mobilizing Against ModernDaySlavery

Sat, May 10 • 10:00 AM

Free

is a historic Church finding new life in the 21st century.

Once a Dutch neighborhood, Elmhurst is now a multicultural and pan-Asian community with a rapidly-growing Chinatown and clusters of Southeast Asian neighborhoods. At some point in its modern history, St. James departed from the mainstream Episcopal Church but in 2008 was won back by the Episcopal Diocese of Long Island. The task of reviving the congregational life and vitality of the church has been a challenge and a number of clergy have been assigned.

On April 1, 2013 the Rt. Rev. Lawrence Provenzano invited the Missioner for Asiamerica Ministries, the Rev. Dr. Winfred Vergara to serve as a part-time priest-in-charge and Rev. Paul Lai as associate priest to help St. James mission. The Rev. Vergara reorganized the mission to revive the three areas of ministry assigning lay coordinators to take care of the (1) Aesthetics - Building & Grounds (b) Spiritual- Liturgical Life and (c) Mission-Outreach. 

In order to win back those who have left the church and attract new members, the Sunday Service instituted Healing at 10:30 A.M. and strengthen the multiracial Eucharist at 11:00 A.M. On Vergara's first Sunday service on April 7, 2013 the attendance and offertory doubled. On the second Sunday, he announced his vision of helping the church to become a "healing, welcoming and serving community" in Elmhurst.

We hope that St. James Church in Elmhurst will rise again and become a viable Episcopal parish in the 21st Century. Please join us in prayer to God that the Holy Spirit will do it again. Revive this Church, O God in the name of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

-----

NAFCON is a national multi-issue alliance of Filipino organizations and individuals in the United States serving to protect the rights and welfare of Filipinos by fighting for social, economic, and racial justice and equality. At present, NAFCON members encompass over 23 cities in the United States.

Background

Throughout the United States, Filipino organizations and individuals have been engaged in community-based and worker-based organizing and leadership development. These groups have been at the forefront—fighting for social, racial and economic justice by waging campaigns on behalf of their constituencies.

Campaigns have included advocating issues in the Philippines, as well as internationally, and doing relief and support work for Filipinos facing crisis’ while in the midst of chronically impoverished situations. A national alliance amongst these organizations and individuals finally formed in 2003. The National Alliance for Filipino Concerns (NAFCON):

  • Forwards the advancement of community-based and worker-based organizing
  • Spearheads national campaigns on behalf of the most marginalized and impoverished sectors of society
  • Fosters the growth of community-based leadership
  • Promotes positive cultural exchange based on Filipino perspectives and experiences

Our Mission

  • Protect and advance the rights and welfare of Filipinos by fighting for social, economic and racial equality
  • Respond to the basic needs and interests of Filipinos in the US through education, action and national unity
  • Promote Filipino heritage as a positive cultural identity and contribution to US society
  • Pursue the call for international peace, based on social justice

Our Vision

  • Empowers and gives voice to Filipino communities in the United States
  • Celebrates Filipino heritage
  • Protects and respects Filipino rights and welfare
  • Effectively addresses Filipino interests and concerns
  • Gives Filipinos the opportunity to uplift the Philippine homeland and diaspora through social and economic reforms that strive for justice and lasting peace

Events

Sorry, there are no upcoming events
Summit on Human Trafficking:Communities Mobilizing Against ModernDaySlavery primary image

Summit on Human Trafficking:Communities Mobilizing Against ModernDaySlavery

Sat, May 10 • 10:00 AM

Free

Summit on Human Trafficking:Communities Mobilizing Against ModernDaySlavery primary image

Summit on Human Trafficking:Communities Mobilizing Against ModernDaySlavery

Sat, May 10 • 10:00 AM

Free