Assembly Resolution No. 2258

BY: M. of A. Bronson

HONORING the Reverend Dr. Stephen M. Cady II upon
the occasion of 12 years of distinguished service to
the Asbury First United Methodist Church

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body seeks to acknowledge those
individuals whose professional lives and civic endeavors serve to
enhance the stature of the State of New York; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
the Reverend Dr. Stephen M. Cady II upon the occasion of his 12 years of
distinguished service to Asbury First United Methodist Church, to be
celebrated on Saturday, June 1, 2024; and

WHEREAS, For the past 12 years, the Reverend Dr. Stephen M. Cady II
rendered faithful, conscientious, and valuable service to the greater
Rochester, New York community through his leadership at the Asbury First
United Methodist Church; and

WHEREAS, Stephen M. Cady II received a Bachelor of Arts degree at
Ohio Wesleyan University, a Master of Divinity degree at
Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, and received a Doctor of
Philosophy degree at Princeton Theological Seminary; and

WHEREAS, The Reverend Dr. Stephen M. Cady II joined Asbury First
United Methodist Church in 2012; the church is a Reconciling
Congregation consisting of more than 2,200 members dedicated to outreach
and social justice in Rochester, New York, and is well known as a leader
for its anti-poverty and LGBTQ+ advocacy efforts; and

WHEREAS, In his capacity as Senior Minister, a position he has held
since 2015, the Reverend Dr. Stephen M. Cady II served with loyalty,
honor, distinction, kindness, and grace; and

WHEREAS, In his official acts at the Asbury First United Methodist
Church, the Reverend Dr. Stephen M. Cady II was governed by a keen sense
of duty to do more good and always exemplified a unique grasp of human
challenges while upholding a sense of duty and mission to serve the poor
and disadvantaged in the Rochester community; and

WHEREAS, Providing an enduring positive impact on his Rochester
community, the Reverend Dr. Stephen M. Cady II successfully led a
capital campaign to convert an historic building on campus into a fully
accessible Community Outreach Center that offers complimentary hot
meals, showers, laundry, healthcare, clothing, hair care, and bicycle
repairs to anyone in need of such assistance; and

WHEREAS, The Reverend Dr. Stephen M. Cady II has been appointed to
extension ministry as the new President of Brite Divinity School, a
highly esteemed position at a progressive theological institution on the
Texas Christian University campus in Fort Worth, Texas; and

WHEREAS, Regularly preaching and speaking around the country, the
Reverend Dr. Stephen M. Cady II has served as keynote speaker for the
Rochester Citywide Martin Luther King Jr. celebration and has received
the Henry Denman Award for Evangelism from the Upper New York Annual
Conference; and

WHEREAS, He has proudly served as Board President of Colgate
Rochester Crozer Divinity School in Rochester, New York; and

WHEREAS, The Reverend Dr. Stephen M. Cady II has served churches in
Illinois, New Jersey, and New York, and teaches in the areas of
practical theology and UMC polity at Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity
School and serves on the advisory board of MainStream UMC; and

WHEREAS, For his profound and lasting impact in religious and
community leadership, the Reverend Dr. Stephen M. Cady II was inducted
into the 38th Martin Luther King Jr. Collegium of Scholars at Morehouse
College, a special recognition of highest honor and distinction; and

WHEREAS, During his tenure with at Asbury First United Methodist
Church, the Reverend Dr. Stephen M. Cady II earned the admiration,
respect, and affection of his colleagues, fellow community members,
family, friends, neighbors, religious leaders of other faiths, and
parishioners; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor the Reverend Dr. Stephen M. Cady II upon the occasion of 12 years
of distinguished service to the Asbury First United Methodist Church,
and to wish him luck in all his future endeavors; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the Reverend Dr. Stephen M. Cady II.