Fundraisingdinner 2007

The Danish Seamen’s Church

needs your support!

JOIN THE DANISH SEAMEN'S CHURCH IN NEW YORK

 and

H. E. FRIIS ARNE PETERSEN,

DENMARK'S AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED STATES

at a Reception and Dinner at

THE NEW YORK ATHLETIC CLUB

to celebrate

THE RENOVATION OF THE CHURCH BUILDING

AND 50 YEARS OF THE CHURCH ON WILLOW STREET, BROOKLYN HEIGHTS

On

October 12, 2007 at 7 p.m.

Price $375

A little piece of Denmark in New York.

The Danish Seamen's Church in NewYork is both a church as well as a cultural and social center for all Danes and their families in the Tri-State Area. Whether they have emigrated or been transferred here, are studying here for a period of time, are au-pairs or just vacationing in the New York Area, the Seamen’s Church has a lot to offer. You can read all about these offerings on our web site.  

The Seamen’s Church is a little piece of Denmark in New York, where everybody is welcome, for Sunday church service, concerts, play groups or youth groups, to celebrate Christmas, Fastelavn or Easter or just to come and meet friends or other Danes.

The renovation of the church

The Danish Seamen's Church, which is housed in a landmark designated Brownstone, built in the1850's, has recently gone though an extensive, but necessary restoration. This has resulted in a very inviting and bright church well suited for all the different activities that are going on in the church.

But there is a big renovation bill to be paid which is why the church needs your help!

The renovation costs stand at $943,000. The Building Fund has received about $588,000 of which $497,000 was donations from several Danish foundations and about $91,000 has so far been collected from the congregation. Of these funds $15.000 has been collected for a new altarpiece in the church. A bank loan was obtained in 2005, which has now been reduced to about $240,000. Much of the rest of the costs of renovation have,
up until now, been financed out of the church's general operating funds. The renovation loan is a short term loan and is given on the terms that it has to be paid off over four years in order for the church to be debt free in the year 2009. In 2006 and also in 2007 we have succeeded to repay $100,000 each year, but still the church has to come up with an extra $100,000 every year also for the next two years which is a huge endeavor for the church.

During this time the Church’s general economy will be very tight. Not only must the principal of the loan be paid off but also the interest this is a major drain on the operating budget which usually balances every year.

The church is actively seeking donations from several Danish foundations and companies, but is still in great need of financial support from the congregation to cover the renovation cost. Therefore any amount is invited and will be gratefully received.

The Church’s economy in general.

The Danish Seamen’s Church is a private church affiliated with the Danish organization The Danish Church Abroad/Danish Seamen’s Church. The economy for the Danish Seamen’s Church is therefore very different from a Danish parish church. For our church this entails that only the salary of the pastors and the assistant are paid from Denmark. The church does not receive any other means of support from the Danish State. The church is entirely dependent on the financial support from the congregation.

The yearly church budget of about $130.000 is fully funded by collections, donations, inheritances, fees and last but not least the yearly Christmas Fair at which a great deal of valuable volunteer help is provided by the congregation.

The Danish Seamen's Church needs your help, and we strongly appeal to each and every one of you to support the Danish Seamen’s Church financially by attending the Fundraising Dinner. You can already sign up by e-mail mail@dankirkeny.org and by phone 718 875 0042, and send a check mailed to the Danish Seamen’s Church, 102 Willow Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201 or make a direct transfer to:

Danish Seamen’s Church’s Building Fund

Account No: 002152694274

Bank of America

205 Montaque Street

Brooklyn, NY 11201

ABA No.: 021000322

The Danish Seamen’s Church is a non-profit charitable organization therefore all donations are tax deductible all donations are tax deductible in accordance with the U.S. tax laws.