Village Lutheran Church Ordains Special Ministry Pastor, Vicar Morris Mayer
Written by Kim Zwisdak, Development Office, Village Lutheran Church and The Chapel School
Feb. 4, 2015: Vicar Morris Mayer was ordained as a pastor at Village Lutheran Church (VLC). Mayer was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. He grew up in the Jewish faith and attended Hebrew school from elementary school until high school. He was also enrolled for a short time in rabbinical high school.
Morris came to the Christian faith as an adult through the ministry of Village Lutheran Church. In the fall of 2012, Morris enrolled in the Specific Ministry Pastor (SMP) program via distance learning through Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri. SMP students take two years of distance training while serving as vicars, are then ordained, and finally complete their studies with two more years of distance training.
After his ordination and installation, Mayer will begin serving VLC in the specific ministry of a staff pastor. He is scheduled to complete the SMP program in the summer of 2016. "Morris is our congregation's first pastor to have been trained via distance education from our seminary in St. Louis," stated Rev. Dr. Robert Hartwell, senior pastor of Village Lutheran Church. In the program students take online courses and meet weekly with a mentor for one-on-one discussions of the curriculum. Hartwell shared his belief that "Pastor Morris is both theologically and practically ready to minister the Word and the Sacraments. His remaining time engaging the distance seminary instruction will only help to build on his solid foundation."
Mayer is also the owner and operator of Plaza Park Interiors, a local drapery and upholstery shop in Yonkers. He will be a pastor in the worker-priest model as he continues to operate his business and serve the church on a part-time basis as an SMP adjunct pastor.
Speaking of this dual nature of his vocation, Mayer stated, "Of course there is no such thing as a 'part-time' pastor. Like all clergy, I will always be open to helping others and sharing God's love, not just after working hours." Speaking at a reception following the ordination, Mayer commented, "I am so grateful to Village Lutheran Church for their support, both financial and emotional, to help me reach this moment and I am so excited to be in ministry to this community."
Mayer is married to Mutiara, a lifelong New Yorker and Lutheran. The Mayers have been married 16 years and have two daughters, Stefanie and Diana.
Pictured here: Vicar Morris Mayer at his ordination ceremony.
Photo courtesy Village Lutheran Church
Religion Directory
Christ Church Bronxville
Christ Church Bronxville, or "CCBNY" as it's known in the community, is the village's Episcopal church, whose beginnings date back to 1898. The current church, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, was completed in 1926 and was designed by Bertram Grosvenor Goodhue, who also designed St. Bartholomew's in New York City and the Chapel at West Point.
CCBNY offers a wide array of programs to its parishioners, who live throughout southern Westchester. The acclaimed music program boasts five choirs; international outreach efforts to Cuba; and education and service programs for family members of all ages. CCBNY is also home to the renowned children's music program Young at Arts (http://www.youngatartsny.org), and Eliza Corwin Frost (www.elizafrostschool.org), a nursery school for children ages 1 to 5.
Our services are as follows:
8:00AM Rite I Spoken Eucharist
10:00AM Family Choral Eucharist, with 11:00 AM Coffee Hour
5:00PM Informal Eucharist or Choral Evensong
"No matter where you are on your spiritual journey there is a home for you at Christ Church. Our worship, music, education and outreach challenge us to embrace holiness and fearlessly share Christ's love."
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-337-3544
First Baptist Church
The First Baptist Church was organized in 1854. Its mission is “to reach out as a caring and Christ centered Church to people of all culture and races, helping them to know God and find fellowship with each other through Jesus Christ to the glory of God.”
407 New Rochelle Road
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-793-2560
http://www.firstbaptistchurchbronxville.com/
Reformed Church of Bronxville
The Reformed Church of Bronxville is the community church in the heart of the village. We welcome people of all faiths and persuasions to be a part of our church family. We have exciting programs to meet your interests including music and the arts, service and outreach, children's ministry and a wonderful Nursery School.
Starting Sept. 7th, we have three Sunday services held at 8:30 am, 10:30 am and 5:00 pm. A Fellowship Coffee Hour is offered after the 10:30 am service. Childcare is available during our 10:30 am service along with Church School classes for children from 2 years old through the 8th grade.
The Reformed Church
180 Pondfield Road
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-337-6776
www.reformedchurch.org
St. Joseph’s Church
St. Joseph Church, which opened its doors in 1925, is the Catholic Church in Bronxville. It offers services on Saturday, Sunday, weekdays and Holy Days. It offers a religious education program for K - 8th grade which takes place on Wednesday during the school year. It also offers a myriad of opportunities for parishioners to meet, share ideas and experiences and help others. The St. Joseph’s School offers classes for K – 8th grade.
15 Cedar Street
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-337-1660
http://www.saintjosephsbronxville.org/
Village Lutheran Church
The Village Lutheran Church “is a ministry of word and sacraments. This ministry gives opportunities for witness, nurture, fellowship, stewardship and service.” The Chapel School, which goes from pre-school three-year olds through 8th grade, is an integral part of the Church’s ministry for children.
172 White Plains Road
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-337-0207
West Center Congregational Church
West Center Congregational Church is a member of The United Church of Christ. It welcomes “all who seek to find, know and serve the living God better in all they are and do.”
101 Pondfield Road West
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-337-3829
Sinai Free Synagogue
Sinai Free Synagogue is Westchester`s "newest" Reform congregation but its roots go back almost 100 years. Formed in 1999 by a merger of Mount Vernon`s Sinai Temple (founded in 1906 and the first Reform congregation in Westchester County) and the Free Synagogue of Westchester (founded in 1927), the 250-member congregation has a long, distinguished history.
Please check the Calendar for dates and times.
550 North Columbus Avenue
914-664-1727
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