Shown in the photo, left to right, are Mayor Ralph Scordino and Reverend Larry Jennings On Sun., Oct. 12, the members of 101-year-old Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church of Babylon honored their former pastor and their present pastor in an afternoon praise service at the church. Honored were The Reverend Larry Jennings and The Reverend Leonard M. Davis. The church is located at 50 Cooper St. near the post office.

The Reverend Larry Jennings was pastor of Bethel from May 1999 to June 2008. Present at the service to honor him were his wife, Valerie Jennings, several members of Bethel, members of the Babylon community and the Mayor, The Honorable Ralph A. Scordino. Mayor Scordino presented Reverend Jennings with a Village proclamation citing his leadership in the church and his contributions to the Babylon community. Bethel presented him with a plaque, praising God and thanking him for his spiritual guidance and encouragement as the leader of the congregation for nine years. Reverend Jennings is now the pastor of Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Huntington. Several members of the Huntington congregation were also present, rendering inspirational music, singing and giving accolades to Reverend Jennings.

The Reverend Leonard M. Davis has served as the pastor of Bethel, Babylon since June 2008. As part of this celebration members of both churches welcomed him and his wife, Margaret (Peg) Davis to Bethel and Babylon Village. During the service Mayor Scordino officially welcomed them to town, indicating that he had met Reverend Davis at The Village Hall earlier this month. The Mayor stated that he was impressed with Reverend Davis and that he expected him to become an essential part of Babylon Village. The Bethel choir sang spiritual songs, while members spoke with gladness that Reverend and Mrs. Davis are their new first family. Harold Rabsatt, a church steward, was the worship leader, performing on short notice, having substituted for another member who was unable to attend.

The message for the occasion was given by The Reverend Horace S. Henson, Pastor of Bethel A.M.E. Church, Greenwich, Connecticut, who was present with his wife, Christine Henson. He spoke of his friendship with Reverend Jennings and Reverend Davis, congratulating both of them and wishing them success in their new ministries. All three ministers' wives were presented flower bouquets.

Local participants in the service included Bob Keir and Ramon Rodriguez, who were neighbors of Reverend and Mrs. Jennings. They spoke highly of the Jennings' family as valuable neighbors on Cooper Street.

The afternoon celebration was concluded with pastries, fruit and soft drinks prepared and served by the officers and members of Bethel, Babylon.