Choir Director:  Ronald Lashley
Dance Director:  Nichola Lashley
Advisors:  Ursula Brown, Andrea Flynn, Pearl Johnson, Suzette Ottey, Allison Ross and Trisha Ross

The Ministry’s goal is to praise God and minister to others through song and dance.  Its focus is to foster Christian growth and development to all youths within the church and the community.  Our membership consists of 25 choir members and 20 dance members under the leadership of a Choir Director, a Dance Director, and 6 Advisors.

The choir and dance groups have participated in various activities, such as:

• The Gospel Explosion at Brooklyn College sponsored by St. Augustine’s Church;
• The Susan McKinney Nursing Home;
• Neighborhood Street Fair;
• Showcase on the television program “Teens and Tots” on the BCAT Channel;
• Cultural fundraising event sponsored by Ms. Una Clarke;
• Church of the Evangel’s Christmas Program.

Some of our upcoming activities are:

• Entrepreneurship Workshop;
• Presentation and Public Speaking Skills Workshop;
• Black History Month Presentation;
• Art Exhibit and Competition;
• Resume Writing Workshop.

Carlyle Ian Douglas was born in Georgetown, Guyana, South America. He became a Sworn Land Surveyor Licensed in Guyana in 1979 and worked for the Guyana Government for thirteen years. In 1983, Carlyle ventured out into private practice. In 1986, Carlyle migrated to the United States with his family.  In 2001, after meeting the necessary New York State requirements and successfully completing the New York State examination, he became a Licensed Land Surveyor in the United States.  Carlyle is now the proud Owner and President of Carlyle Ian Douglas, Land Surveying, P.C.

Carlyle spearheaded a fundraising drive in collaboration with the International Relief Teams, St. Gabriel’s Episcopal Church and The Honorable Dr Una Clarke, former Council Member of Brooklyn, to obtain much needed medical supplies for the flood disaster in Guyana in 2004, due to unusually heavy rainfall. This effort netted a value of $1,000,000.00 US worth of medical supplies, and greatly exceeded the targeted amount of $10,000.00 US.  Carlyle’s personal contribution to this effort is a testament to his patriotism.

An active member of St.Sidwell’s Anglican Church in Guyana, South America, Carlyle served as an Acolyte and remained the Senior Acolyte of St. Sidwell’s Church, until his migration to the United States of America in 1986.  Carlyle was introduced to St. Gabriel’s Church by his mother in 1986. At St. Gabriel’s Episcopal Church, he held several positions including Warden, Vestry person and Sunday School Youth Advocate. As Vestry Person, Carlyle’s special responsibility is buildings and grounds. His love for landscaping empowered him to single-handedly beautify the Grounds of the New St. Gabriel’s Episcopal Church.  As Warden, Carlyle  was responsible for St. Gabriel’s Episcopal Church at a time of crisis; for this and other contributions to the Church and Ministry, Carlyle was awarded The Bishop’s Cross.

His first marriage union produced two children, Carletta and Sgt. Roger Douglas USMC, ages 27 and 26 respectively.  Carlyle now resides in Brooklyn with his current wife Paula Douglas nee Phillips, his parents Reynold and Sheila Douglas, daughter Carletta and granddaughter Olivia.

The people who walked in darkness have seen great light. For unto us a son is born. He will be wonderful counselor and a father forever.  He will be a prince who brings peace. It became a song of hope, sung in dark world looking for a person of light.  The trouble was that no king really fit that description.

Each year at Christmas we gather and sing the same hymns or songs. One of the attractions of Christmas is that we all know the music by heart and it evokes memories of many Christmases especially when we were young and God seemed to be so close to us.  Maybe we feel we cannot go back to such a time because too much has happened.

The power of Christmas that catapults us into the New Year does not come from nostalgia but from the hope and knowledge that things can be different in our life because of the birth of this Child and the Man he became.  

Some of us are in church today for all kinds of reasons. Some of us come every week and embrace Christmas with special fervor.  Some of us come occasionally, some infrequently.  Some are here with family and friends. The good news of this night is, as the angel says, “for all people.”  Whoever you are, for whatever reason you are here, every one of us in this church has a journey to make over the next year. We appeal to you therefore, “let JESUS be your constant companion as you journey with us into the YEAR 2011.

We welcome all joining us for worship today.  A special welcome if you are with us for the first time. We pray that the peace and joy of the Christ child may always be yours.

HAVE A BLESSED NEW YEAR!!!

My Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

    Christmas is a most treasured period in the lives of many – a time of spiritual renewal and bonding more closely with family, a time to celebrate with friends and a time to indulge in a bit of Auld Lang Syne.

    Of course there is the shopping, partying and fuss. All of this is becoming more and more expensive every year. Plus, for the retailers it is all about getting the jump on the competition, so Christmas decorations go up before Halloween now.

    As a parish, this Christmas has reminded us of what it means to share God’s love. Sometimes it is keeping the lights and heat on for a family, staving off eviction from an apartment or building a house for a family in one of the devastated areas of our world. In these times, financial crisis hits randomly in all neighborhoods, whether white collar or blue.

    Weathering the recession has meant changes in lifestyle. Yes, many of us have had to cut back even in our Christmas shopping, perhaps severely. But the true message of Christmas is not about an Xbox 360, Kindle Fire or the Ipad. It is about what each one of us can do throughout the year, to give a blessing, a mitzvah.

    We can’t all do a lot, be we can all do a little. And if we all do give just a little for any worthy cause, we will have done a lot. Be a true blessing to someone this season.

     With Fr. Sully, Deacon Ro and our respective families, I take this opportunity to wish you a Merry Christmas, and a Blessed New Year.

Your Priest & Friend,
Father Eddie +