Rev. Pike, who is also a Vice President of The Gramercy Park Block Association explained to the crowd, "Let me make it perfectly clear that I am speaking for the Trustees of Gramercy Park and that I am no longer directly involved with Calvary St. George's."
"All of us on Gramercy Park are so pleased with how much the church is now flourishing under the leadership of Jacob Smith," said Pike.
"We are also delighted with his wife Melina Smith, who is often in the Park with their children Sophia and Henry. Melina is frequently sought out by so many of our young mothers in the community for her wise counsel," said Pike.
Pike then introduced Arlene Harrison, Founder and President of the GPBA and known as the "Mayor of Gramercy of Park." "Arlene will explain some of the reasons the Gramercy Park community is so appreciative of our relationship with Calvary-St. George's," said Pike.
"We could have no better example of the extraordinary partnership between our Gramercy Park community and Calvary-St. Georges than when there is a major crisis," said Harrison.
"The first call we make is to the church office, and they've always come through for us in so many ways. For example, through the years the church has provided Anderson Hall as a depot for our neighbors to gather essential supplies for many of our major volunteer relief efforts. A few of those efforts include care packages for soldiers in Afghanistan and Iraq, and critical supplies for local first responders at World Trade Center, the victims of Hurricane Katrina and most recently Hurricane Sandy," she added.
