Easter Dawn Service Reaches Over 3,000 Viewers Worldwide

Glen Cove, NY – The Ninth Annual Community Easter Dawn Service in Glen Cove drew close to 150 attendees to Morgan Park on Easter morning, while also reaching a wide online audience through Facebook Live, with over 3,000 viewers tuning in from across the globe.

Organized by a coalition of seven local churches, the service has become a tradition since it was first established in 2016 by three congregations seeking to create a shared space of worship. This year’s host churches included Calvary A.M.E. Church, First Baptist Church, Glen Cove Christian Church, Iglesia Ciudad de Refugio, St. John’s of Lattingtown Episcopal Church, Iglesia Ciudad Casa de Dios Internacional, and St. Paul’s Episcopal Church.

The bilingual, half-hour service—offered in both English and Spanish—began with the soulful sounds of “Amazing Grace,” played by bagpiper Robert Lynch, who stood at the base of a 17-foot cross temporarily erected on the beach. The cross, visible in the distance, served as a striking visual centerpiece for the service. The familiar hymn was followed by the proclamation “Christ is Risen” in multiple languages, setting a tone of unity and universal meaning. The setting at the foot of the hill in Morgan Park, overlooking Hempstead Harbor, provided a moving backdrop for the morning gathering, where a diverse group of worshippers welcomed the day in shared reflection.

Leading the service were Rev. Roger C. Williams of First Baptist Church, Pastor Raul Martinez of Iglesia Ciudad Casa de Dios Internacional, Pastor Tommy Lanham of Glen Cove Christian Church, and Rev. James E. Booker of Calvary A.M.E. Church. Rev. Booker, who is new to the service, having become Calvary A.M.E. Church’s pastor just this past year, said, “This gathering reminds us that we are one body in Christ, united across traditions and languages.” Pastor Tommy Lanham offered, “Each year, this service lifts our spirits and renews our hope—not just for Easter, but for the days ahead.”

Pastor Raul Martinez shared, “It is a blessing to come together as one community to celebrate the risen Christ.” Rev. Roger C. Williams added, “Easter is the time to celebrate resurrection, which means that the final enemy which is death has been defeated! Our ending is our new beginning!”

Assisting in various parts of the service were Evangelists Claudette Bryan and Merle Richards from Calvary A.M.E. Church; Gaitley Stevenson-Mathews, an Elder in the Presbyterian Church (USA); and several local North Shore residents, including librarian Lydia Wen Rodgers, Loggia Glen Cove Sentinel Angelo Stanco, Comité Cívico Argentino President Lia DiAngelo, and guitarist Donna Brady. Soloists Margaret Darson and Annette Stephens also contributed to the musical selections, along with members of the Easter Dawn Community Choir. Luke Gotterbarn provided technical assistance for the livestream.

Organizers of the Community Easter Dawn Service acknowledge in the bulletin their sincere appreciation to those who contributed to the success of this year’s event, with special thanks to Mayor Pam Panzenbeck and the Mayor’s Office, City Clerk Tina Pemberton, Vinnie Martinez Jr. and the Glen Cove Department of Public Works, Spiro Tsirkas and the Parks Department, Jose at Morgan Park, and the City’s Police, Auxiliary Police, and EMS for always assuring everyone’s safety.

The committee also recognized the generosity of those who helped underwrite expenses associated with the service, including Mark Galluccio of The Franzella and Galluccio Allstate Agency, Rocco Totino of Chaik & Totino PLLC, and Alan Goldberg of Glen Cove’s Minuteman Press. Additional support came from the event’s ad sponsors: Herald Community Media, How Can I Help Elder Care, While in Kathmandu Nepali Eatery, St. John's of Lattingtown Episcopal Church, Vito's Pizzeria, and Whitting Funeral Home. St. Paul’s Episcopal Church was also acknowledged for their continued support in providing the printed bulletins for the service.

Organizers were pleased to welcome attendees from across Long Island, including community members and elected officials. Elected officials in attendance included Glen Cove City Council Members Michael Ktistakis, Marsha Silverman, and John Zozzaro.

“I’ve attended several Easter Dawn Services since it began,” said Eleanor Rapelje, a lifelong Glen Cove resident. “There’s something truly powerful about gathering in the quiet of morning to celebrate faith with the closeness of others who share the joy of the resurrection.”

As noted by the Easter Dawn Committee, the Easter Dawn service is intended to offer an opportunity for people from many different traditions within the Christian faith to come together in celebration. The brief yet meaningful service aims to unite Easter observers as a community before they attend their respective full Masses or services later in the morning.

Organizers encourage all to mark their calendars for the tenth annual Community Easter Dawn Celebration, which will be held in the park on April 5, 2026.

To view a rebroadcast of the Facebook Live service, visit the committee’s official Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/GlenCoveEaster.