Bay Ridge pastor says goodbye to church, congregants

Goodbyes are never easy. However on Sunday June 29, the Bay Ridge United Church and the Fourth Avenue Presbyterian Church celebrated the retirement of Reverend Pastor Jane Donnelly, who served the Bay Ridge United Church for nine years.

The two churches – which now share a building — honored Donnelly during a service and reception at the Fourth Avenue sanctuary, at 67^th Street.

“I don’t know what retiring means yet, but being a pastor at Bay Ridge United Church has filled me with joy,” said Donnelly, who was ordained back in 2005. “I have peace and joy. That’s all I have.”

Donnelly fought back tears when she addressed her friends and colleagues during the service. “Nine years ago was right up there as the happiest day of my life,” she said.

In addition to serving the church, Donnelly worked as a nurse’s aide, patient representative, a director of a suicide and crisis hotline and a volunteer at Central Park Zoo.

This past February, the Bay Ridge United Church and the Fourth Avenue Presbyterian Church joined forces and have been worshipping together, which has been a positive experience for the two churches, according to Donnelly.

“I’m retiring and leaving the congregation in good hands with Pastor David [Aja-Sigmon, spiritual leader of the Fourth Avenue Presbyterian Church],” she said. “And we’ve already been feeling as one.”

“It’s an honor for us to host this event but it’s very much been an honor for us to be a part of this common witness and story and to see and learn from Jane as a pastor, friend and colleague,” noted Aja-Sigmon. “She’s been a marvelous colleague for nine years.” Together, Donnelly and Aja-Sigmon have served the community in a variety of ways, such as organizing local pantries and soup kitchens.

Towards the end of the mass, Donnelly was awarded with a plaque. Members of the church, friends and family gathered around her during a blessing ritual.

“It’s a good goodbye,” she said.