Forum Photo Courtesy of St. Barnabas Church
L to R: Rev. William Baum, Bishop Robert Alan Rimbo and City Councilman Eric Ulrich shown here gathered at the 2013 rededication of St. Barnabasduring
Saint Barnabas Church in Old Howard Beach will celebrate the 25th anniversary of ordination of their pastor, the Rev. William Eric Baum, on Sunday, February 26 at 4:00 p.m. The Rev. Dr. Robert Alan Rimbo, Lutheran Bishop of New York will be the special guest preacher. Pastor Baum is the second longest tenured pastor in the 95 year history of Saint Barnabas Church. During his 25 year pastorate, he has also served for 16 years on the Executive Committee and Synod (Diocesan) Council of the Metropolitan New York Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America; Dean of Southwest Queens Lutherans; Chair of the Synod’s Dialogue on Ministry with Gay & Lesbian People; Chair of the Synod’s Committee on Congregational Viability; Chair of a Synod Strategic Planning Committee; Chair of the Synod’s Constitution Revision Committee; Co-chair of the Lutheran & Roman Catholic Dialogue of Brooklyn & Queens; and three-time elected Voting Member of the Lutheran National Assembly. Pastor Baum is the Chaplain of the West Hamilton Beach Fire Dept. & Ambulance Corp., and an enthusiastic sponsor of Boy Scout and Girl Scout Troops. And, for many cold winters he manned the penalty box and scoreboard as an Off-Ice League Official for the New York City Cyclones of the Long Island Amateur Hockey League. Pastor Baum is the recipient of the 9/11 Community Service Award of the Southwest Queens Interfaith Council, and the President’s Award from Lutheran Social Services of New York for Hurricane Sandy Recovery Service. Pastor Baum is the husband of one, father of two, and guardian of Northford, the Eastern box turtle. He is married to the Rev. Brooke L. Swertfager, pastor of Christ Lutheran Church in Manhattan. The couple have two tall sons and a lovely daughter-in-law. The family is full of avid hockey players and fans.
