Ministers at ASBC

 

ALL SOULS BETHLEHEM IS JOYOUS IN ANNOUNCING THAT REV. DR. BOON LIN-NGEO HAS ACCEPTED THE POSITION OF PASTOR FOR OUR CHURCH, AND WILL BEGIN HIS MINISTRY WITH US SEPTEMBER 2024. 

A Message from Rev. Boon: 

It is my great privilege to be elected as the new pastor of All Souls Bethlehem Church (ASBC) in Brooklyn that has a long history of social justice activism. I am very proud to be part of ASBC, which is the merging of three great churches, namely,  All Souls Universalist Church, the Flatbush Christian Church and Bethlehem Evangelical Church; especially because the Universalists were the first denomination on the national level to approve the ordination of a woman in 1862!

 

I thank you all for trusting me with this position. I pray that we will continue to make our cozy church a spiritual home for every spiritual seeker, a beacon of hope for the city, and a model of the beloved community for this country. I urge you to continue the legacy of the saints in the past to challenge oppressive systems, to cultivate healing, to promote love, and to realize the commonwealth of God.

 

I look forward to working with all of you as we collectively imagine a new future!

​

Rev. Dr. Boon Lin-Nego

​

Rev. Boon's Bio: 

Reverend. Dr. Boon Lin Ngeo was born and raised in Malaysia. He was an award-winning journalist before he came to the United States in 1997. He currently teaches at Hunter College- CUNY. He has published extensively in the Chinese language since 1999, and is the author of more than 40 books. He is the first openly gay minister in his native country Malaysia, and the first openly gay minister who holds a doctoral degree in theology in Asia. Rev. Dr. Boon is one of the most sought-after speakers in LGBTI Chinese communities in Asia, such as China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Malaysia. He is instrumental in building many LGBTI Christian fellowships and churches in Asia. His activism in Asia has been reported by CNN and the New York Times.

​

At All Souls Bethlehem Church, we are also very blessed to have a rotating roster of guest ministers that come and preach for us once a month associated with the United Church of Christ, the Unitarian Universalist Association, Disciples of Christ, the three denominations we are affiliated with, as well as other denominations and other faith traditions. We are open to hearing the word of God in many voices.

​

(Alphabetically by first name) Abigail Hastings (UCC Lay Minister), Dr. Rev. Bill Nye (Minister Emeritus), Rev. Dr. Colleen Birchett, Rev. John Magisano, Rev. Josh Lee, Kim Barra (UU/UCC Lay Minister), Konstantin Kulakov Master of Divinity, Raquel Irizarry Master of Divinity/Master of Science of Social Work, Rev. Rene Slataper, Rodney Hughes Master of Arts, Rev. Romall Smalls, Rev. Dr. Ruth Shaffer, and others frequent the pulpit at ASBC. 

 

These guest ministers bring diverse perspectives to ASBC. Rooted in the Hebrew scriptures and the teachings of Jesus, they incorporate multiple faith traditions and the wisdom of prophetic voices from psychology, science, Womanist and Black Liberation Theology, Native American and earth centered spirituality. They lead us through a Sunday service, which includes liturgy, sacred readings, poetry, prayer, hymns, the "Passing of the Peace," and a heartfelt sharing of joys and concerns. Their sermons are always an illuminating highpoint. 

​

With all our ministers, we pray, we sing, we laugh and cry. We gather for reflection, music, insight, a chance to slow down and breathe, a connection with the sacred.

​

On the first Sunday of the month, we celebrate the Christian tradition of Communion, open to all, as a ritual remembrance of our covenant that all are welcome at our table.

 

Whatever it is you are looking for—reflection, connection, prayer, insight, a chance to slow down and breathe, or ways to repair the world, we invite you to come through the door. Get to know us. Stop by on Sunday for worship and a cup of coffee. 

​