The Higher Education Scholarship Fund Committee and the United Women in Faith collaborated on Sunday, June 22, to honor “Graduates in Faith” during Worship Service at Fenimore Street United Methodist Church (FSUMC), a 134-year-old church at the corner of Rogers Avenue and Fenimore Street in Brooklyn.

Dianne Brown, the Jamaican-born chair of FSUMC’s Higher Education Scholarship Fund Committee, told Caribbean Life that the celebration combined Youth Sunday with Graduation Sunday.

“Fenimore Street UMC has been honoring scholars for many years on the merit that they are congregants of the church, and, once they graduate from their respective schools or colleges, we take pride in recognizing them as well,” she said.

“We celebrate students at all levels from pre-kindergarten to college,” added Brown, stating that this year’s group comprised 11 graduates, accompanied by family and friends. “It is one of those joyous moments at Fenimore.”

The graduates were Daen Blemur, Aszani Jordan, and Chase King in kindergarten; Kaiden J. Goodman in Elementary School; Aritha Anwana, Ruben Charles, Matthew Jordon, and Demaury Scott in high school; and Sherol Jeffery-Codogan, Steve Brandon, and Ugochi Nwosu in college.

Brown said that prior to the graduation ceremony, a questionnaire was submitted to each graduate and/or their parents requesting, among other information, grade level, name of school, honors, favorite scripture, and future plans so “the presenter could speak about their ambitions and accomplishments.”

One Kindergarten student is a “shoe-tying Champion,” and another’s favorite scripture is “this little light of mine,” Brown said.

She said other graduates have aspirations in fashion design, inclusive education, public policy, nursing practice, and social work, among other fields.

“Fenimore Street UMC was more than proud to support and acknowledge their achievements, with a certificate and a scholarship,” she said, stating that scholarships are determined by, among others, grade level and participation in church activities.  

As the chairperson of the Higher Education Scholarship Fund Committee, Brown said she was also “elated” to serve as liturgist during the two-hour-plus service.

She said a slide presentation about the graduates, which preceded the distribution of certificates and gifts, was “well put together, and the congregants enjoyed watching it. 

“I must give special accolades to Team Higher Education for putting it all together,  along with United Women in Faith, because, when we are preparing for something meaningful, we ‘Prepared for Purpose'”, said Brown, echoing the topic of the sermon delivered by guest preacher Min. Ian J. Wharton, of Vanderveer Park United Methodist Church in Brooklyn, is a former FSUMC member.

Brown, quoting Tony Robbins, added, “‘The only impossible journey is the one you never begin.’ These pupils have started their academic journeys and are excited about their ambitions.”