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Girolamo Savoldo, Mary Magdalene at the Sepulchre, ca. 1535-1540, oil on canvas, 35" x 32," National Gallery, London
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Dear friends,
It's a beautiful image to me, the moment of recognition as Mary Magdalene sees the Risen Lord. Instead of the figure of Jesus in the painting above, we see the light of the resurrection reflected in Mary's face and garment. Next to her is the jar of ointment she used, days earlier, to anoint him for his coming death. The painting is beautiful the way Easter will be beautiful in churches across the world this Sunday. But before we get to Easter, we need to remember the days leading up to it. On Friday we need especially to wait by the cross, as Mary did. We need to ponder the wondrous love that suffered and died there - and the deaths of so many innocents on so many Calvaries. On Saturday, we bide our time. Shut out the pandering and bombast of politicians and reflect on how wounded God is, when hope is so thoroughly lost that violence seems the only answer. Then, tentatively, and with growing confidence, we can approach Easter. And begin to trust that in spite of humanity's arrogance and hatred, God is not done with any of us. Hope lives. Mercy lives. In every faith, in every nation, this hard and holy season, prayers are being lifted to the God of love. Who is God of all.
Faithfully,
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JOIN THE JOURNEY TO EASTER
Maundy Thursday, March 24, Holy Communion at 7 pm
Good Friday, March 25, Worship at 7 pm
Easter Sunday, March 27
Sunrise Service at 6:30 am, Promenade at Clark St.
Easter Worship with Choir and Band, 11 am
Children's Easter Egg Hunt follows worship
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Friday, March 25th
7:00 PM
Good Friday - Worship
Sunday, March 27th
9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
9:00 AM - 10:15 AM
Sanctuary
Sermon preached by Nadine, titled "Opening Day"
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Sunday School (K - 7th Grade)
12:15 PM - 12:30 PM
Meet in the Gym
Fellowship for All
Peace Garden
7:30 AM - 8:30 AM
Park Plaza Diner, Cadman Plaza West
Thursday, March 31th
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Congregation and Community News
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Notes from Session
With the desire for transparency, and to keep the congregation informed on the topics in front of Session, the following are a summary of the minutes from the February 22, 2016 Session Meeting.
Interim Pastor's Report – Confirmation continues with five confirmands, new members will be received on March 13th and Confirmation Sunday will be May 15th. Motion made for baptisms of Grey Gibbons on March 27th and Oliver Clark on April 17th, Motion carried.
Clerk's Report and approval of Communion dates – Next Communion is March 6th, motion made to approve the following Communion dates: January 3, February 7, March 6, March 24 (Maundy Thursday), March 27 (Easter), April 3, May 1, June 5, July 3, August 7, September 4, October 2, November 6, and December 4, motion carried
Selection of new Clerk – By acclamation Paul Austin was selected as the new Clerk of Session
Selection of Committee Chairs
Adult Education- Susan Schultz
Building & Grounds- Marcia Smith
Fellowship- Mario Adorno
Pastoral Care- Diana Lee, June Chisholm, Karen Murumba
CYF- Deborah Rennie-Walker, Reeves Carter
Church-wide Nominating Committee- Susan Schultz, Paul Austin
Communications-Mark Elsenheimer
Finance- Ken Andrichik
Stewardship- Patty Watwood
Membership- Myrtle Muir, Diana Lee, June Chisholm
Music & Worship- Barbra Cummings
Social Action- Taylor Margis-Noguera, Denise Alexander
Committee Updates:
Adult Christian Education – Sunday 10am group is studying various texts on Epiphany and selected poetry, Wednesday night group participated in "First Talks Race" series, Men's Breakfast completed "The new Jim Crow" book and now reading "Everything Belongs: the Gift of Contemplative Prayer"
CYF – Ad hoc committee established to look into shared use of Rose Room, this committee will include Diana Lee, Mario Adorno, Myrtle Muir, Mark Elsenheimer, Reeves Carter and Deborah Rennie-Walker
Communications – Streamlining content on webpage, "Sizzle Video" has been viewed a total of 849 times
Membership – Will look into a photo directory
PNC – In final phases of discernment, focused on Presbytery COM approval, candidate announcement when ready, and roll out schedule for the Candidating Sunday, primer on the PNC provided
Social Action – Delivered several full bags of toys to Eastern Farmworkers HQ, looking into further engagement with Brooklyn Heights Synagogue Shelter, continued engagement with Church of Gethsemane, next meeting will be 3/13 at 10am in Elliot Room
Stewardship – 2016 Pledge Campaign resulted in 105 pledge cards for a total of $311,758, up ~$30,000 vs. 2015
New Business:
- Reeves Carter requested that Session minutes be included in the weekly newsletter
- Church BBQ set for June 12, 2016
- Mario Adorno encouraged FPC to be more politically active, Social Action will look into increasing political engagement
- Diana Lee encouraged FPC to write a letter to the judge requesting leniency in the sentencing of NYPD's Peter Liang who was convicted of manslaughter over his shooting of an unarmed man, Social Action will look into
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Volunteers Needed
Please, volunteer to host Coffee Hour alone, with your family, or with a fellow church member. You can help create a warm environment after service, where conversations that engage mind, body and soul can happen. If you need help figuring out how to do it, there are lots of people willing to show you the way.
You can also volunteer to greet and welcome friends and meet new ones on a Sunday morning. Being a Greeter is a great opportunity to show new comers why you are part of First Presbyterian Church of Brooklyn.
Thank you for your ongoing support of our community.
To sign-up to be a Greeter or Host Coffee Hour, please contact the church office or sign up at the bulletin board near the side door.
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Focus on Hunger: The Mission and Social Action Committee has a goal to educate the entire congregation on the issues around food and hunger in our country and around the world, and why First Presbyterian is involved in alleviating the suffering associated with a lack of food.
On Thursday, March 24, the Food Pantry served 96 clients with 12 volunteers.
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According to Feeding America's 2010 hunger study, more than 37 million Americans are now being served by food pantries and soup kitchens.
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Adult Education
Adult Education gatherings will be on hiatus from Easter Sunday, March 27 through and April 6. We will resume on Sunday, April 10 on the subject "Christ is risen! Now what?" Members from the PNC will lead the conversation on Wednesday, April 13.
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Connect to New York City Presbytery
Stay connected with the latest news and opportunities in and around the presbytery by subscribing to Happenings In & Around the Presbytery, the Presbytery's electronic newsletter. Click here and fill out the Contact Information Form to add your email address to the subscribers list. Once completed, return the form to the presbytery office or email it to Yzette Swavy-Lipton.
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Message from the Stewardship Committee!
Do you have expertise in financial planning, estate planning and/or wills? Stewardship could use your help for a brief outreach project. Please contact Patty Watwood if you are willing to help out, email: patriciawatwood@nyc.rr.com. Thank you!
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Worship services are streamed live over the Internet. On our website we provide the worship bulletin so that you can follow along. Tune in to worship at 11:00 AM Eastern time.
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Like us. Follow us. Visit us.
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Last week at First Church!
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Videos featuring some of the music from recent worship services are available on YouTube and on the Church's Facebook page. ("Like" us there, too!)
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Reminders and Looking Ahead
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Easter Egg Hunt: Sunday March 27, First Church will hold their anual East Egg Hunt in the Peace Garder. We ask those familes that would like to donate eggs, for our hunt, to please drop them off on the desk in front of the gym. Though we love decorating hard boiled eggs, we ask familes to donate the plastic eggs filled with goodies. The hunt will begin as soon as Sunday Service has ended. All children of the church are more than welcome.
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After the Sermon
Each Sunday after worship, you are invited to discuss the sermon and other topics of interest in the Elliott Room after the service. This informal time is an opportunity to explore themes, ask questions, and/or share experiences relevant to the worship service and the practice of our faith. Led by Eric Thomas.
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Questions about the Pastor selection process?
The Pastor Nominating Committee has created "A Primer on the PNC" that was available at the Annual Congregational Meeting, and now online in PDF. Printed copies will also be available in the Narthex and foyer. It is written in a Q&A format, addressing many of the most common questions about the process.
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First Presbyterian Church of Brooklyn Social Action Committee
Criminal Justice Activities in Concert Wth The Church of Gethsemane
This past Sunday, volunteers from First Presbyterian Church of Brooklyn prepared and served lunch at the Church of Gethsemane. Edna Asknes, Diane Grimes and Maggie Turnbow prepared food. Sandra & Ron Turner and friend plus Ronald Higgins and friend Suzanne and Dave Ehlke prepared and served lunch and attended worship service.
Two Sunday's ago, Gloria Sellers and Dianne Hutchinson collected letters from 22 members of FPC, which were mailed to an expanding group of 170 Project Connect members currently incarcerated.
On Palm Sunday, the FPC youth group and their leaders will be preparing and serving lunch at the Church of Gethsemane.
Want to get involved?
For more information or to volunteer for any of the highlighted opportunities to serve, contact either Jane Ehlke (email), phone 781-572-6201, or Dave Ehlke (email), phone 617-512-5780.
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This week's e-newsletter was edited by Christina Adorno. Photos by Susan Schultz .
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Online Donations: Set up a recurring gift to the church through a secure online account. To set up an account or to edit an existing gift, go to First Presbyterian Church's website.
Flower Donations. We welcome flower donations of $30 or more in memory or in honor of friends and loved ones. Call Annie Solages in the Church office at 718-624-3770 or see Barbara Cummings during fellowship hour on Sundays.
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