“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land” (II Chron. 7:14)

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“Join us by uniting to dismantle every point of division that keeps us from being a community of connected people”

“Join us for a day of outreach within our communities”

 “Join us for a day of open doors for prayer”

“Join us by sharing God's Good News outside the worship doors”

“Join the call to pray for the city”

“Taking back our communities through prayer" ______________________________________________________________________________________________

Dear Congregational Leader:

Remembering former events such as 911, catastrophic disasters, earthquakes and diverse hurricanes around the world, there is an awakening call for the churches and ministries to reach out to the people in our city.  We must answer the call to stand in the gap via prayer and to come together by providing outreach services to the local communities in our city.  

With enthusiasm and excitement, I’d like to introduce you to “Open Doors 2009” an interfaith project to unite people within New York City on Saturday, May 16, 2009 between the hours of 10:00 A.M. – 6:00 P.M. This will provide an opportunity for the churches and various ministries to share God’s Good News to our brothers and sisters; reaching many hurting needs in each of our communities. We are asking the community churches to open their doors to offer prayer and assistance to those in need. For example, conducting outreach such as; counseling, evangelistic missions, facilitating services, providing donated clothing, food, tracts, referrals and health care vans for screening.  

We believe that there is great purpose for this day of uniting.  We are one nation, under God, and must remain undivided. We must stand on a united front to dismantle every point of division that keeps us from being a community of connected people. By bridging the gap in New York City; utilizing a holistic approach, we can let the people of this great city know we care.

 This vision was given to me not only to offer a way of uniting people; but to also share God’s love in the midst of whatever catastrophic events come our way.  As a result of this outreach; our prayer is see a potential branching of this concept in other cities by those who would take hold of this vision as well. We need your prayers, assistance and support to make this day possible. We are also in need of prayer intercessors who will agree to stand in the gap. Help us make “Open Doors 2009” successful by being a participant on this day and share this news with others. We want to see an increase in discipleship and moral amongst people. We believe that this can be a day in history closing one of many gaps for New York City. 

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Free Registration - To register your place of worship, volunteer, obtain registration form and/or obtain more information regarding this event, please contact (718) 239-4053. If you would like to register online, please fill out the form below. 

PLEASE READ AND FOLLOW THESE GUIDELINES (IF APPLICABLE) 

If you are a ministry renting from a location that is not under your ownership and you desire to conduct outreach in a NYC Park you must adhere to the rules and regulations of the Department of Parks and Recreation.

NYC DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION

1. No event will be permitted on any Parks & Recreation property unless a written permit has been granted by the agency. The permittee will be at least 18 years of age, and have the original approved permit in his possession at the site while the event is taking place. This form is not a permit.

2. This application must be filled out and received with payment of the non-refundable administrative processing fee no later than 30 days prior to date of event. Failure to do so may result in the applicant being held responsible for additional overtime costs. Checks should be made payable to the City of New York/Parks & Recreation. Upon receipt of approved permit, other fees, bonds, and insurance must be presented to the Agency no later than seven days prior to the event.

3. If the permit is granted, the Permittee shall be subjected to the rules and Regulations of Parks & Recreation, and to all regulations, ordinances, and other laws of all other City, State, and Federal Departments insofar as they may apply, and to the specific terms of the permits.

4. Should there be any injuries, accidents, or other health incidents at your event, you must notify Parks & Recreation immediately by calling 311, the city's citizen service number.

5. The applicant is solely responsible for obtaining any necessary clearances or permissions for the use of intellectual property, including but not limited to musical or other performance rights for the event.

6. The Permittee is responsible for cleaning and restoring the area after the event. The Permittee will usually be required to post bond(s) in order to insure that the Permittee will clean and restore the area after the special event. The cost of any employee overtime incurred because of the event will be borne by the Permittee. This cost must be paid in advance. The amount of the bond will be based on the number of event participants, and will be adjusted to reflect any aspects of the event that increase the clean-up or restoration costs.
A CERTIFIED CHECK MUST BE MADE PAYABLE TO NYC DEPARTMENT OF PARKS & RECREATION.

7. Parks & Recreation reserves the right to require personal liability insurance for the event, naming the agency and the City of New York as additional insured. The decision on whether to require insurance will be based on the following criteria:
A. Whether the special event or any activities included as part of the special event present a risk of personal injury or property damage.
B. Whether the special event involves the sale of food.
C. Whether the special event involves over 2,000 participants, or a large number of participants relative to the size of the site.
D. Whether the special event involves transportation and installation of heavy equipment, or the installation of a stage or other temporary structure.

8. The granting of a permit does not give the permittee the right to sell or offer for sale any articles, tickets, or refreshments within or adjacent to any park area. To do this requires a separate Temporary Use Authorization issued by Parks & Recreation's Revenue Division (212) 360-1397. There is a fee required to acquire a Temporary Use Authorization.

9. No person shall engage in the non-commercial distribution of products and/or materials (other than printed or similarly expressive material) without a permit issued by the Commissioner. A permit shall be issued only upon the Commissioner's determination that said distribution will be conducted in a manner consistent with the public's use and enjoyment of the park or facility in question. In making this determination, the Commissioner will consider the nature of the product or material, whether the product or material is compatible with customary park uses, whether the product or material is intended to be used in the park or facility, the age of the targeted audience for product or material, and whether the area in the park or facility where the distribution will take place is appropriate for such distribution, considering, e.g., its proximity to areas designated for children, quiet zones, or other areas designed for activities not compatible with such distribution. In connection with the foregoing, the Commissioner may consult with parental groups which are involved with the park or facility where a permit for distribution is requested. The Commissioner may also impose conditions upon the distribution of products or materials consistent with the concerns reflected by the factors listed above. The non-commercial distribution of products is not permitted. Products and/or materials may be distributed only upon an indication of interest by the recipient, and only from a fixed location specified in the permit.

10. It is prohibited to solicit funds or to collect contributions within or adjacent to any park area, except from one fixed location approved by Parks & Recreation and specified in the permit.

11. Noncommercial literature or pamphlets may only be distributed within or adjacent to any park area from a fixed location. Distribution of commercial literature or advertisements is not permitted.

12. An American flag shall be displayed where required under applicable statute. Other flags, banners, or ensigns may be displayed only from locations approved by Parks & Recreation and specified in the permit.

13. If vehicles (e.g., buses, cars, trucks, vans) are required for delivery to the site or any other purpose, a written permit application for each vehicle, including license number and make and year of vehicle, must be submitted with this form. A special vehicle permit will be issued for each vehicle, specifying time, route, and parking priveleges.

14. If electrical energy is required, the applicant must so state. Parks & Recreation will make a reasonable effort to provide electrical energy if outlets are available at the site. It will be the permittee's responsibility to arrange and make payment for any other power sources (e.g., lightpole tapping, generators, batteries, etc.)

15. During the planning of the event, Parks & Recreation may alter or add terms and conditions as necessary. The permit is not transferable, and is revocable at the discretion of the Commissioner. The Commissioner may also establish additional special event guidelines.

ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES AND PROPANE GAS ARE PROHIBITED

Borough Permit Offices

SOUND PERMITS

If you plan to conduct your street services or outreach at a location that is not your church building and you plan to utilize sound devices, you must apply for a sound permit. To obtain a sound permit, you should contact your local precinct and speak to your Community Affairs Office to obtain an application. If you want to use amplified sound on public property, want to have an event with more than 20 people in a New York City park, or wish to conduct a march in a public street, you will need a permit. If you do not plan to use amplified sound, you do not have to apply for a sound permit

What If I Want to Use Amplified Sound?

If you want to use amplified sound in a public place, you must receive a permit from the Police Department. You apply for the permit at the precinct within which you wish to use sound, and in most precincts you obtain the application from the precinct’s Community Affairs Office. The fee for a one-time permit is $45.00.

Though City rules specify that permits must be sought at least five days before the event, you are entitled to receive a permit even if you apply less than five days before your event. City rules prohibit the use of amplified sound within 500 feet of a school, courthouse or church during hours of school, court or worship, or within 500 feet of a hospital or similar institution. In many instances, the permit may specify a decibel limit on the level of permissible sound. City rules also prohibit the use of amplified sound between 10:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m. in nonresidential areas; in residential areas, amplified sound is not permitted between 8:00 p.m. or sunset (whichever is later) and (9:00 a.m. on weekdays, and between 8:00 p.m. or sunset (whichever is later) and 10:00 a.m. on weekends.

Finally, if you intend to use amplified sound that requires electricity, you are not allowed to tap into public power (e.g. a light pole) unless you have made specific arrangements with the City to do so.

You are entitled to distribute expressive materials or to have a rally, press conference, or demonstration in a City Park. If the event will include more than 20 participants, you must obtain a Special Events permit from the Parks Department. You can obtain a permit application, which contains the general rules governing the permit process, from the Department’s main office in the borough where the park is located or from the Parks Department’s website (nycparks.completeinet.net). The fee for applying for a permit is $25.00.

You also are entitled to use amplified sound at an event in a City park. As with amplified sound in other public places, you must obtain a permit from the Police Department to use amplified sound in a public park. Generally, the Police Department will not issue a sound permit until you obtain your Parks Department permit.

Footnotes

(1) The official rules governing parades can be found at section 110 of title 10 of the Administrative Code of the City of New York and at section 19 of title 38 of the Rules of the City of New York.

(2) The official rules governing the use of amplified sound can be found at section 108 of title 10 of the Administrative Code of the City of New York and at chapter 8 of title 38 of the Rules of the City of New York.

(3) The official rules governing demonstration activity in City parks can be found at sections 1-05 and 2-07 of Chapter 56 of the Rules of the City of New York.

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