NY Times joins A Journey in Jamaica, Queens!

77 Comments

1. 

   Jackie on March 21, 2011 at 9:54 am

   Dear Editors

   I was very interested to read about your amazing project in the NYTimes article –which was brought to my attention by a good friend in NYC.

   This year, I am completing a book for Oxford U Press on the modern veneration of Saints Cosmas and Damian (doctor saints, twin brothers, and early Christian martyrs ). They are mostly (but not entirely) venerated in Italian R Catholic tradition.

   I have discovered that these twin medical saints are special to Haitians — and I was excited to notice that you have upcoming posts about the Haitian community in Brooklyn. I hope that I might learn more about the saints from your posts — but of course I have no idea if the topic will come up in your research. Am hoping that it might–hence the suggestion and this information below.

   Each year someone (who?) organizes busses to take Haitian-Americans from Brooklyn to Saints Cosmas and Damian Church in Conshohocken PA where there is another large feast to honour the medical saints. I have been trying to find out more about who organizes these busses and how. So far, it seems that it is not one particular RC parish of the 5 or 6 centered on Haitian communities.

2. 

   Tony Carnes on March 21, 2011 at 9:53 am

   Thanks for sharing this info!

3. 

   Margaret on March 21, 2011 at 9:52 am

   Temple of Universal Judaism (Da’at Elohim) shares the church at 85th and Park

4. 

   Tony Carnes on March 21, 2011 at 9:50 am

   We would like to hear more! Best to your project!

5. 

   Indy on March 21, 2011 at 9:49 am

   Greatly enjoyed hearing of your NYC work… and would like to be able to stay closely in touch. We’re trying to get a similar (video) project off the ground here.

6. 

   Tony Carnes on March 21, 2011 at 9:48 am

   Thanks for the info and invitation! We already feel welcomed!

7. 

   John on March 21, 2011 at 9:47 am

   Great website and article!

   Please come by our church when you get the chance! Chelsea Community Church, meeting at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 346 W. 20th Street, 11:45 on Sundays. We are a “nondenominational Christian Church for people of all faiths and of uncertain faith.”

   Website:
   http://www.chelseachurch.org

   Facebook: Chelsea Community Church

8. 

   Tony Carnes on March 21, 2011 at 9:46 am

   Thank you for the advice and support!

   You might be interested in the upcoming “In America” documentary from CNN: “UnWelcome: the Muslims Next Door” airing this Sunday at 8 pm on CNN.

9. 

   Hajj on March 21, 2011 at 9:45 am

   I think the most important bit of advice I can offer with regard to inclusion of mosques is to avoid the common pitfall of focusing in certain immigrant groups as being representative of all muslims. be sure to include indigenous muslim populations.

   I’m wishing you success in this important work.

10. 

    Tony Carnes on March 21, 2011 at 9:43 am

    A generous offer that we will take up in the near future! Thanks!

11. 

    MH on March 21, 2011 at 9:42 am

    If you would like to find out anything about Korean Buddhism in Manhattan, please contact me.

    There is a Korean Buddhist temple located at 42 West 96th St, between CPW and Columbus.

    regards.

12. 

    Tony Carnes on March 21, 2011 at 9:41 am

    In the article by Mark Oppenheimer we hope that The NY Times helped to contribute to the strengthening of our civic fabric.

    Judging by the enthusiastic responses to the article by Mark Oppenheimer in The New York Times from so many people from different faith and non-faith traditions, we were very encouraged that we have been more or less successful in tuning A Journey to our editorial framework in which to provide recognition and public square space for diverse people. In this regard The Times has really aided this reforming of the city into something better, more humane and tolerant. It is a remarkable service that they have provided in this small instance.

    We hope we can continue to live up to their example of strengthening the civil fabric of our city.

13. 

    John on March 21, 2011 at 9:40 am

    Great website! Thanks to the Times for the great article, and thanks for all your work on this project!

14. 

    Tony Carnes on March 21, 2011 at 9:39 am

    You are welcome to join us on A Journey! But we will put you to work!

15. 

    Tom on March 21, 2011 at 9:38 am

    FYI I’m a native New Yorker now based in Paris. I just read about your project in the NYT. This sounds fascinating. I’ll have to come visit you the next time I’m in New York.

    Please put me on your mailing list.

16. 

    Tony Carnes on March 21, 2011 at 9:31 am

    Thank you for the info!

17. 

    A on March 21, 2011 at 9:30 am

    a wonderful church community downtown is Middle Collegiate on E. 7th street. the leadership and congregation reflect diverse ethnicity, race, sexual orientation.

18. 

    Tony Carnes on March 21, 2011 at 9:29 am

    Glad that we can enrich your visits to the city. Thanks for the comment!

19. 

    Michael on March 21, 2011 at 9:28 am

    I am very interested in ‘organized religion’ in large cities. As I enjoy visiting NYC, I thought that becoming familiar with your site will enable me to appreciate trips to NY even more.

20. 

    Tony Carnes on March 21, 2011 at 9:27 am

    Hajj, We will keep you posted!

    We did an interesting interview with Alfonse in Jamaica, Queens. He had seen us the other day when we were out with the NY Times photographer. He talked about how he had moved from North Carolina, drifted, became a Muslim, and his relationships (friendly) with churches on Guy Brewer Boulevard.

    Thanks for your interest.

21. 

    Hajj on March 21, 2011 at 9:25 am

    This is a wonderful project! I am looking forward to seeing the product and encourage you to enjoy the process.

22. 

    Tony Carnes on March 21, 2011 at 9:21 am

    We love “extra sets” of hands! We will contact you. Thanks!

23. 

    Anthony on March 21, 2011 at 9:20 am

    I just read through the article in the NY Times about your organization and I am thrilled about this project! My wife and I just moved to the city last year and the diversity of religion in the city is one of the things that we find incredibly fascinating.

    I was the Arts Elder for our church in Seattle so I am always excited when I come across places where faith, community engagement and faith intersect.

    We’ve been going to a church in our neighborhood that meets in a synagogue and I’ve found myself on a number of occasions wondering to myself to what extent different religious groups collaborate in community involvement. In fact, it’s something I’ve been wondering about more and more so learning about your organization’s work to “recognize the other” is a wonderful discovery. I can imagine documenting all the diversity of religious life in the city is a very large task. I have a full-time day job but I would be very interested in contributing or helping out in any way that I am able if you need an extra set of hands (or camera). Thank you for pursuing this work!

24. 

    Tony Carnes on March 21, 2011 at 9:19 am

    We look forward to collaboration! Best!

25. 

    Wayne on March 21, 2011 at 9:17 am

    I have a feeling that Harlem has more churches per capita than any place in NYC, and more churches per square mile than any neighborhood in the world.

    I wonder what your status is in cataloging the massive number of churches between 110th and 155th streets in Manhattan?

    I am currently encouraging my niece to take this on as a university research project. Maybe there is a point of collaboration possible here?

26. 

    Tony Carnes on March 21, 2011 at 9:16 am

    Thanks for the info! We photographed the Unitarian Universalist congregation in Flushing with the idea of showing religious responses to war and peace. We look forward to putting together the series in the near future.

27. 

    Julie on March 21, 2011 at 9:15 am

    There are 6 Unitarian Universalist congregations in NYC proper. Thank-you!

28. 

    Tony Carnes on March 21, 2011 at 9:12 am

    Thank you for the information. We look forward to talking to Rabbi Ballan and Dr. Schildkraut.

29. 

    Seymour on March 21, 2011 at 9:11 am

    Temple Beth Sholom @ 171-39 No.Blvd, Flushing 11358 has been serving Reform Judaism to North-east Queens for 60 years.

    Rabbi Sharon Ballan and President Dr.Harvey Schildkraut are our present leaders.

    Our building won an architectural prize when it was erected about 49 years ago. We occupy the entire block on Northern Blvd. between 172 St. and Auburndale Lane.

30. 

    Helen on March 21, 2011 at 9:10 am

    A very nice story

31. 

    Tony Carnes on March 21, 2011 at 9:09 am

    Thank you for the great info! We have been intending to get to the WPA surveys, and your more detailed information about the survey is a good incentive.

32. 

    David on March 21, 2011 at 9:08 am

    During the 1930’s the WPA paid for similar survey work. The cataloging of Orthodox Christian Churches was researched and published by WPA as
    INVENTORY OF THE CHURCH ARCHIVES IN NEW YORK CITY
    EASTERN ORTHODOX CHURCHES
    AND
    THE ARMENIAN CHURCH IN AMERICA

    THE HISTORICAL RECORDS SURVEY
    DIVISION OF PROFESSIONAL AND SERVICE PROJECTS
    WORK PROJECTS ADMINISTRATION
    NEW YORK CITY
    DECEMBER 1940

33. 

    Tony Carnes on March 21, 2011 at 9:07 am

    AJ, coming from such a fine journalist as yourself, we are encouraged. Thanks!

34. 

    AJ from India on March 21, 2011 at 9:06 am

    I read with great interest the NYT story in the New York section of the paper. I was also delighted to see the photograph. I am glad to know that the project is doing well. This gives me an idea. Let me think about it. The article also helped me to know more about you.

35. 

    Tony Carnes on March 21, 2011 at 9:05 am

    Mark, you have always given us good questions and advice. Thanks!

36. 

    Mark on March 21, 2011 at 9:04 am

    A good story and you are embarking on an important study.

37. 

    Tony Carnes on March 21, 2011 at 9:03 am

    Wait, wait, team, don’t pack your bags for London yet!

    You over-excited our team. Still, there are many reasons to think a A Journey is needed London. Julia, your expertise is one reason. And we have a couple of other friends of A Journey–Victoria, Ben, and Heather, who are there now.

38. 

    Julia on March 21, 2011 at 9:02 am

    Great to see this…maybe you’ll inspire us to do the same for London one day?!

39. 

    Tony Carnes on March 21, 2011 at 9:01 am

    We like mysteries! Thanks!

40. 

    Ruth on March 21, 2011 at 9:00 am

    There is a Turkish Cypriot Mosque on Morris Park Avenue in The Bronx. Never have seen anyone go in or out – and I’ve lived in the area for decades. When was it built? By whom? Does anyone worship there? Is it still in use? Who owns the building/land?

    http://www.forgotten-ny.com/NEIGHBORHOODS/morrispark/mp.mosque.jpg

    Turkish Cypriot Mosque
    843 Morris Park Avenue
    Bronx, New York
    Phone: 718-892-7640

    Many mysteries I hope you can clear up that I have been wondering about for years.

    Thanks.

41. 

    Susan on March 21, 2011 at 8:10 am

    @LibertyChurchNY @nytimes @nycreligioninfo cool. just read it.

42. 

    Roh on March 21, 2011 at 8:05 am

    FANTASTIC!

43. 

    Rich on March 21, 2011 at 8:00 am

    Great article on the @nycreligion.info site!

44. 

    Paul on March 21, 2011 at 6:00 am

    Excited we got our first little @nytimes mention for Liberty Church – thanks @nycreligioninfo for spreading the word

45. 

    Tony Carnes on March 20, 2011 at 9:56 am

    Hi Renee,

    Thanks! And good question.

    We count religious communities that have no building in several ways. We search google, ask local people, ask knowledgeable informants, utilize lists of various types, and watch for signs on days of worship as we travel down the street. But we probably miss a lot of them!

    Melissa Kimiadi, one of our reporters, stopped at a seemingly closed storefront church with two listings of congregations on the outside. She still knocked and it slowly opened. Inside was Brother James of a church that wasn’t listed as one of the churches on the outside. He happened to be there. We could have missed his church and his moving story of redemption.

    We are always adding info about low-visibility religious communities that people send to us. So, if you have any tips, we love to hear from you. Regardless, we love to hear from you.

46. 

    Renée on March 20, 2011 at 9:54 am

    Congratulations on your efforts. Great publicity in NYTimes today.

    How are you counting religious communities that have no building of their own?

47. 

    Tony Carnes on March 19, 2011 at 9:06 pm

    Thanks David!

48. 

    David on March 19, 2011 at 8:44 pm

    Thanks for your speedy and thoughtful reply.

    The family of man has been hurt for too long by differences in religious ideas. I constantly think about how Jesus explained the Second Great Commandment to the rich young lawyer: with the parable of the Good Samaritan. Not with miracles or tongues or prophecy or resurrections from the dead, but with simple human kindness sacrificially given from one outcast to another at a personal level. “Preach everywhere you go,” St. Francis of Assisi is said to have told his brothers. “If necessary, use words.” I wish the evangelicals on all sides — not just Christian — would let their increasing humanitarian good works — unconditional and without regard to creed — do their preaching for them. If they did, they wouldn’t have to talk so much.

    Be blessed, my friend,

    David

49. 

    Tony Carnes on March 19, 2011 at 4:40 pm

    Hi David,

    Thank you for your appreciations and raising the question of what we are doing.

    We are very serious about our objective, non-sectarian (and non-partisan) policy. Although we don’t ask anyone about their faiths, in our discussions it is clear that our staff is quite diverse in their faiths. Generally speaking, we do write empathetically of whomever we are covering, and I know that our reporters enliven over some subjects. As editor, I tone down the rhetoric or viewpoint except in personal diaries and op-eds which are supposed to give you a feel for what our staff are experiencing and thinking.

    Right now on our front page, we have two features that are on evangelicals, one video on an evangelical singer, one sympathetic portrayal of vodou and one sympathetic portrayal of a Catholic celebration of Our Lady of Guadalupe. We have one staffer reflection in which she talks from her viewpoint as an evangelical (previously, we had three staff reflections by non-Christians).

    We really are trying to create a virtual public square where all these voices can be heard, the information to be authoritative, the presentation beautiful and exciting, and compassion is honored.

    We face constant challenges on how to practice our policy. We learn a lot from each other and from community members like yourself. It is a terrific experience of self-reflection and growth. Thank you for helping us in that.

50. 

    David on March 19, 2011 at 2:10 pm

    Hi,

    I like your website, which I read about in the NYT today, for what I see as its positives — community-building, neighbourhood focus, ecumenism, inter-faith understanding. However, as Christians, aren’t you really just hiding an effort at Christian evangelism under the cloak of ecumenism?

    With sincere best wishes,

    David

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