The Ministry of the Garden City Community Church
The Congregation - Ministers to the World
The basic unit of the United Church of Christ is the congregation. All members of the United Church of Christ are called to minister to others and to participate as equals in the common worship of God, each with direct access to the mercies of God through personal prayer and devotion.
Rev. James W. Adelmann - Senior Pastor
Jim Adelmann’s vision as Senior Pastor is to make the Garden City Community Church a vital place where people can turn for support and encouragement as they strive to meet the challenges of the 21st century. Realizing that so many people today are busy in all aspects of their lives, Jim’s goal is to help redirect his congregation, so that they may give their gifts of time by participating in meaningful “hands-on” local outreach projects, such as serving meals at the Mary Brennan INN. “Maximize ministry and minimize meetings” is his motto.
Jim has served Garden City Community Church in one capacity or another for nearly 30 years. He began his ministry here in 1980 as the Youth Minister, and became the Minister of Evangelism in 1982. In 1991, Jim was named Senior Pastor of the church. Under his direction, the church has blossomed with young families, and today more than 200 children and youth participate in its Christian Education activities. Jim is particularly proud of having trained 24 lay pastoral caregivers in order to increase the caring ministries of the church.
Jim holds a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Upsala College and a Master of Divinity degree from Yale University Divinity School. He became a member of the United Church of Christ in 1976 and has served on the Board of Directors of the Metropolitan Association of the United Church of Christ. He is currently the Chair of the Metropolitan Association’s Nominating Committee. Additionally, over the last few years he has served as the Chair of the Administrative Board of the Lutheran Counseling Center, a not-for-profit Christian based organization with a numerous counseling sites throughout the NY metropolitan area. In his community, he serves on the Garden City Community Council on Substance Abuse and Violence Prevention as a member of its Advisory Committee and as Liaison to the Garden City Interfaith Clergy Fellowship. Jim plays the guitar and sings, and holds a black belt in karate. He resides with his wife, Chris and daughters, Abi and Annika in Garden City.
Email: jadelmann@gardencitycommunitychurch.org
Rev. Lynn A. Sullivan - Associate Pastor
Lynn Sullivan is an Associate Pastor of the Garden City Community Church. Lynn is responsible for overseeing the Youth Ministry and is in charge of many educational and fellowship programs for adults within the Church. Lynn works closely with the Ministerial team in the Church School, Confirmation program and Youth Group. She also coordinates and leads the Women’s Bible study, Book discussion groups, Tuesday Morning Prayer Group, and Thursday Luncheon. She works with the planning team for Getaways such as the Winter Weekend and summer Family Camp.
Lynn comes to the ministry as a second career. A native of Benton, Arkansas, Lynn earned Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science degree from Southern Methodist University and a Master of Science degree from the University of Arkansas. She began her professional career working in networking communications for such companies as Citibank and Shearson Lehman Brothers. Lynn was called to the ministry and subsequently earned a Master of Divinity Degree from New York Theological Seminary, graduating with honors in 1997.
Lynn has been active with the greater church denomination as the Dean of the Nassau County UCC Clergy, a member of the Ordination and Ministerial Standing Committee, and a member of the Boundary Training Committee. Her duties have included being a part of the Situational Support Team for churches and clergy in crisis. She also reaches out to the community in her work with Winthrop Hospital’s Pastoral Care Department, as clergy support for Planned Parenthood Nassau County, and as an active part of the inter-faith Garden City Clergy Fellowship.
Lynn, her husband Mark and daughters Laura and Sarah have been members of the Garden City Community Church since 1983.
Email: lsullivan@gardencitycommunitychurch.org
George Bashian - Licensed Minister
George Bashian, along with his wife Sue, moved to Garden City in 1974. While raising his family he became involved in a wide range of activities at the Garden City Community Church, spending many years as a Church School teacher and leader of the confirmation and youth group programs. Having served in many capacities as a lay member, in 1994 George entered New York Theological Seminary and graduated in 1998 with a Master of Divinity Degree. When he graduated, he joined the church staff as a licensed minister serving in many areas, including worship, caring ministries, educational programs, and leading mens’ retreats. If you are a new visitor to the Garden City Community Church, George will be sure to seek you out, and in his enthusiastic, welcoming way, hand you a small cross and share a blessing.
Frank Crosio - Music Minister
Frank L Crosio previously held similar positions at the Church of St. Patrick in Huntington and St. Ignatius Loyola in Hicksville.
He is a graduate of the Manhattan School of Music and holds Colleague (CAGO) Associate (AAGO) and Fellow (FAGO) academic certificates from the American Guild of Organists and the Fellow’s Diploma in organ performance from Trinity College, London. His teachers have included Morton Estrin (piano), Frederick Swann, and Walter Hilse. Frank has performed in recital and as a choral accompanist throughout the East Coast and internationally in Canada, Austria, and Germany. Frank has served as the Dean of the Nassau Chapter of the American Guild of Organists from 1995-1999 and as Dean of the New York City Chapter of the American Guild of Organists from 2006-2010.
At the Community Church he conducts four vocal choirs and a hand-bell choir. In addition to preparing music for Sunday morning worship, Frank is looking forward to preparing the choirs for the Candlelight Vesper Service on December 11th and for Christmas Eve. He is also planning some recitals in early 2012 to showcase the III/55 rank Moller pipe organ at the Community Church, which was completely restored in 2005.