June 7, 2024 – Press Release: Union Settlement to Host Community Interfaith Night of Prayer

East Harlem religious organizations and individuals across faiths are invited to participate in a Night of Corporate Prayer for the community.

This is the first of a year-long series of events to commemorate 130 years of service.

East Harlem, NY – Union Settlement (www.unionsettlement.org), East Harlem’s oldest and largest social services provider, will host a Community Interfaith Night of Prayer on Thursday, June 13, 2024. Residents of any faith are welcome, and Union Settlement has invited local faith organizations across denominations to participate. The event will take place in Union Settlement’s El Sitio Feliz Community Garden located at 237 East 104th St., New York, New York. Doors open at 5:30 PM and the service starts promptly at 6:00 PM.

“This is an opportunity for residents to come together and strengthen connections with neighbors across faiths to honor our diverse but united community,” said Rev. Dr. Darlene Williams, President and Chief Executive Officer of Union Settlement. “It’s the first in our series of ‘Journey to 130’ events leading up to our 130th anniversary in April 2025. Over the next year, we aim to raise awareness of Union Settlement, increase our impact, and celebrate the individuals and families who’ve come through our programs and helped make this such a vibrant place to live.”

“This will be a truly inclusive event. So far, we have a Christian Evangelical pastor, a Catholic priest, and a renowned Islamic member of the community who will lead us in prayer for East Harlem – and we welcome additional participants from local religious leaders,” said Dr. Patience Oti, Early Childhood Education Liaison.

The Interfaith Night of Prayer is grounded in Union Settlement’s history of faith, social justice, and community service. Founded in 1895 by members of Union Theological Seminary to respond to the desperate conditions of Irish, Eastern European, and Italian immigrants struggling to make a new life in America, Union Settlement has since served generations of immigrants from every continent, continuously evolving to provide the vital education, wellness and community-building programs and services they need to thrive.