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Dear friends,
Pride Month is a glorious time around First Church. Rainbow banners come out to dance in the June breeze and announce to passers-by that we believe God welcomes all - and not only as worshippers, but as leaders of the church. Be sure to congratulate Eric Thomas, Director of Christian Education, who married Carlos Barnett on June 4, in Connecticut. We wish Eric and Carlos many blessings in their life together!
This June also saw the celebration of my ministry at First Church. On June 12, the Peace Garden was filled with friends, neighbors and guests enjoying a barbeque in the Peace Garden, complete with a New Orleans-style jazz band. But even as we delighted in each another with feasting and music and the glimpse of God's kingdom that so often shines forth in our church, the news was coming in of the massacre in Orlando. We began to take in the scale of the loss, the inconceivable violence against the GLBT community, the depth of the sorrow of the world. As the week wore on, politicians and pundits expressed their thoughts, some comforting, some grotesquely contorted.
At the start of the week I also began to meditate on the coming Sunday's Bible texts. And as so often, the gospel offered a stunning reflection of what is happening in our world. The action in Luke's story focuses on Jesus and his disciples, a demon-possessed crazy person, a whole scared community, and a herd of pigs. The setting is a cemetery in a foreign place – it could not be more awful. But there is a reversal of the awfulness. There is healing beyond anything anyone could imagine. There is joy and good news. Want some of that? Come to church this Sunday. We begin worship where we are, hearing the names of the forty-nine men and women killed in Orlando, as candles are lighted. We'll sing "God of Grace and God of Glory." The word of the Lord will be heard and preached. The choir will sing "Healing" and "Over My Head." And we'll go forth from our prayers to live into the inestimable hope Jesus holds out to us, by the grace of God.
Faithfully,
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Sunday, June 19th
9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Nursey is open
9:00 AM - 10:15 AM
Sanctuary
11:00 AM
Sermon preached by the Pastor Nadine: "Beyond thoughts and prayers"
11:15 AM
Sunday School (K-7th Grade)
12:15 PM
Coffee Hour following worship
Wednesday, June 22nd
7:30 AM - 8:30 AM
Men's Fellowship Breakfast
Park Plaza Diner, on Cadman Plaza West
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Adult Education
The Elliott Room
Thursday, June 23rd
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Choir Rehearsal
Sanctuary
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Congregation and Community News
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Message from the PNC
Rev. Adriene Thorne's appointment as our new pastor became official on Tuesday evening, June 14, when the NYC Presbytery voted to approve her call with a start date of July 1, 2016. Halleluja!
Given that it is July 4th weekend, we we ask as many of you as are able to attend the service on Sunday, July 3, to give our new pastor the warmest possible welcome.
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New Planned Giving Initiative at First Church
First Church depends on its members and friends to support everything that happens at church – from facilities upkeep, to payroll, to the Church's dynamic and wide-reaching ministries and programs. Bequests and special gifts can increase or supplement your support. Planned giving creates a legacy that will strengthen First Church for generations.
There are many ways to magnify your gifts to the Church by remembering First Presbyterian Church of Brooklyn in your estate plan, with special honor and memorial donations, by donating appreciated assets, or even with corporate matching funds.
We would love to speak with you about planned giving. Call the church office at 718.624.3770, or email stewardship@firstchurchbrooklyn.org to connect with a committee member. Or, find us in church: Committee Co- Chairs Jim Cummings and Patty Watwood, and committee members David Jones, Ken Andrichik, and Gladys McNish. Reach out today to plan your gift to First Church!
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Adult Education, Wednesdays
On Wednesday evenings beginning June 8th we will be discussing Jim Wallis' book, America's Original Sin: Racism, White Privilege, and a Bridge to a New America, at FPCB from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM in the Elliot Room.
The book can be found in a variety of formats (electronic, hard cover, audio) at your favorite online or brick and mortar book seller. The community is invited to join us. Led by Eric Thomas.
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Men's Breakfast Meeting, Wednesdays at 7:30 AM
Join us at the Park Plaza Restaurant, 220 Cadman Plaza West in Brooklyn Heights, for a good breakfast and great fellowship.
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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, June 26th, the Food Pantry served 96 clients with 11 volunteers.
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Today, one out of every four American children is on food stamp
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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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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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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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Look out for pictures next week from First Church!
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Remember: 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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Summer Worship Schedule
Mark your calendars and don't miss the extra hour of sun on summer Sundays. Worship will begin at 10:00 AM starting July 3rd and run through September 4th. During the Summer Worship schedule the choir gathers Sunday morning at 9:00 AM, no Thursday rehearsal. Also a great time for those who would like to sing with the choir in a casual environment!
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Worship Leaders
Interested in taking part as a reader during Sunday service? We welcome volunteers from the congregation to sign up as Worship Leaders. Please contact Annie Solages in the church office at 718.624.3770 or speak to Worship Committee Co-Chairs Edna Asknes or Barbara Cummings.
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First Presbyterian Church of Brooklyn Social Action Committee
Criminal Justice Activities in Concert With the Church of Gethsemane
FPC continues to be active with the Church of Gethsemane.
Prison Visits:
On June 4, Gloria Sellers, Dianne Hutchinson, Diane Grimes, Amelia Schonbek and Sandra Turner made prison visits in April, along with Rev. Diane Lacey.
Letter Writing:
Twelve members of FPC wrote words of encouragement in our group letter to over 200 incarcerated Project Connect members on May 29.
Service Provider Meetings:
Dave Ehlke and Minister Chibueze Okorie from Gethsemane attended the Bi-monthly Kings County Re-Entry Task Force meeting on June 1. Dave Ehlke also attended the ReThinking ReEntry conference on June 9 sponsored by the NYC Commission on Human Rights.
Want to get involved?
For more information on volunteer opportunities, 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 Dan Maguire.
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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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