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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
HONORING REVEREND DOCTOR GESSEL BERRY JUNIOR, PASTOR OF THE SHERMAN UNITED METHODIST CHURCH IN EVANSTON ON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT
WHEREAS, Reverend Dr. Berry has faithfully served at Sherman United Methodist Church in Evanston for the past 12 years. He has been an Elder in the United Methodist Church for over 46 years. He has pastored seven congregations in Illinois and Michigan and was recipient of the “Margaret Ann Williams Joy of Serving Award” from the Black Methodists for Church Renewal (BMCR) in 2013; and
WHEREAS, Reverend Dr. Berry has ministered to more than 120 churches in 10 denominations in Africa and the United States; and
WHEREAS, Reverend Berry graduated from Chicago's Tilden Technical High School and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics and Physical Education from DePaul University. He holds a Master of Divinity degree from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, IL and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Chicago Theological Seminary. While at Garrett he was the founding President of the Garrett Black Seminarians and represented the organization on Garrett’s Board of Trustees. He has been on the adjunct faculty for both seminaries and has served as Vice President and faculty member of the North Shore Theological Seminary since 1997; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Berry has been a General Church Officer serving the General Board of Pensions and Health Benefits as Assistant General Secretary of Administration, reporting to the General Secretary. In the Northern Illinois Conference he served as Chairman of both the Board of Ordained Ministry and the Board of Trustees and was Vice President of the Northern Illinois Conference. Rev. Berry has also served on the boards of the United Methodist Federation, ChildServ, Bethany Methodist Corporation and has held numerous positions of leadership in the Chicago and Evanston communities; and
WHEREAS, on March 25th, Reverend Dr. Gessel Berry, Jr. celebrated his 72nd birthday. He will retire on July 1st. A celebration by the entire congregation of Sherman UMC will be June 11th at Evanston’s Hilton Garden Inn from 1pm to 4pm; and
WHEREAS, in addition tirelessly serving his congregation Reverend Dr. Berry is much appreciated for his leadership in the community. He is currently a Peer Learning Group Facilitator for Garrett’s Styberg Peaching Institute, a member of the Board of the of the Shorefront Legacy Center, the Chessmen Club of the North Shore, the Chicago Assembly and the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity; and
WHEREAS, after his retirement Reverend Dr. Berry will spend his additional time with his wife of over 43 years, Sandra Doyle Berry, his two sons Gessel and Adam and four grandchildren; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Commissioners of Cook County, on behalf of the 5.2 million residents of Cook County takes great pleasure in honoring and celebrating the hard work, accomplishments and career of J Reverend Dr. Berry and herewith expresses its sincere gratitude for the invaluable contributions he has made to the citizens of Cook County, Illinois; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a suitable copy of this Resolution be spread upon the official proceedings of this Honorable Body and that an official copy of the same be tendered to Reverend Dr. Berry.end