By Francesca Norsen Tate
BROOKLYN — The installation of First Unitarian Church’s new senior minister on Sunday marked that rare occasion when cell phones were welcome at church!
The First Unitarian Congregational Society in Brooklyn and its new senior minister, the Rev. Dr. Patrick T. O’Neill, overcame an unexpected adversity on Nov. 18, the date of his scheduled Service of Installation at this landmark Heights church. Hours before the service, a broken toe had sent the Rev. Dr. O’Neill to the emergency room, and he remained hospitalized as the 5 p.m. installation began.
However, his devoted congregation and its innovative use of technology enabled him to participate in own his installation via cell phone.
Just before the installation segment, Lee Pardee, president of the congregation’s Board of Trustees, called O’Neill on her cell phone, using speaker mode and placed it next to the microphone. As Dr. O’Neill’s voice loudly and clearly filled the full sanctuary, his congregation vigorously applauded. And as Pardee expressed the congregation’s trust in his ministry, and asked, “Do you accept the invitation of this congregation to its ministry?” he responded over the phone, “I do gratefully accept.”
© Brooklyn Daily Eagle 2007
All materials posted on BrooklynEagle.com are protected by United States copyright law.
Just a reminder, though -- It’s not considered polite to paste the entire story on your blog. Most blogs post a summary or the first paragraph,( 40 words) then post a link to the rest of the story. That helps increase click-throughs for everyone, and minimizes copyright issues.
So please keep posting, but not the entire article. arturc at att.net
Main Office 718 422 7400
Eagle photo by Don Evans
