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Greetings First Church Family and Friends,
I think it is no coincidence that we will explore the Indivisible Movement after church this Sunday – the same Sunday that the gospel reading calls us to love our enemies. I'll never forget Cornel West speaking about an elected official he was at odds with politically. West promised to love that person as a child of God while fighting their damaging policies every step of the way. That is our call, I believe, to remember that those with harmful ideologies are God's children, while fighting their policies every step of the way. What can that look like for our community? Join us Sunday after worship to help shape First Church Brooklyn's love and resistance. In an era of hate and separation, we want to stand indivisible…and we can. Meet Elder Nate Dudley and others in the Elliott Room.
Action Items for this week (pick one activity, even if it's small and add it to your daily routine)
ACT
-Our members of congress are back home February 18-26. Attend a local planning meeting or action event like the ones below:
*Tuesday, February 21st at 12 pm AND 4:30 pm "Resist Trump Tuesdays" | 780 Third Avenue at the Offices of Senators Schumer and Gillibrand
*Wednesday, February 22nd from 6:30-8:30 pm Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke's Community Town Hall on Donald Trump's First 30 Days in Office | Union Temple, 17 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn, NY
Wednesday nights at First Church are an ongoing gathering space for conversation and education. Join Eric Thomas, our Director of Adult Education, as he continues the Black HERstory series, putting faith in dialogue with poetry next Wednesday. He will explore the work of Audre Lorde and Maya Angelou. There is always a potluck meal at 6:30 pm followed by the program from 7-8:30 pm. Join us.
The Women's Ministry Potluck is scheduled for next Friday, February 24th at 7:00 pm. Bring some food or drink to share and be ready to be inspired. All women are welcome to attend.
Our young people are on retreat this weekend – getting to better know one another and the God who loves them as they are. Please keep our nine bright lights, and their three adult chaperones, in your prayers. They are our future and the future of Christ's church.
Looking forward to seeing you Sunday as we celebrate Black History and what it teaches us about American history, faith, and forgiveness. There will be poetry, amazing music, and of course…hugs. See you at 11 am on Henry Street.
You are loved,
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Sunday, February 19th
9:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Nursery is open on the second floor
9:00 AM - 10:30 AM
No Choir Rehearsal - on retreat
10:00 AM - 10:45 AM
Youth Band
11:00 AM
Worship in the Sanctuary
Sermon Title: Love Your Enemies – I'm Not Kidding
11:15 AM - 12:15 PM
Sunday School in the Gymnasium
7:30 AM - 8:30 AM
Park Plaza Diner, Cadman Plaza West
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM (potluck dinner at 6:30 PM)
Thursday, February 23rd
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Choir rehearsal in the Sanctuary
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Congregation and Community News
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Update on the 2017 Pledge Drive
As of January 29, 2017, we have received 110 pledge cards for a total of $328,191.
Our goal this year is a total commitment of $343,000.
Please help us reach or exceed our goal. Pledge today!
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The choir will be on retreat this weekend at The Grail. This is an opportunity for us to set new goals for our ministry and strengthen our relationships with one another and with God. We will be worshipping with you Sunday via the livestream.
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Sunday School Volunteers Needed!
It takes a Brooklyn Village to raise our children in the faith. Contact James and Elizabeth to express your interest.
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Adult Education
Sunday Adult Education
10:00 AM - 10:50 AM
Thurman Room
(Traditional bible study in relation to issues and questions of our times)
Wednesday Adult Education
Black HERStory Month: A celebration of Black women history-makers in the context of current events and concerns. This week features Fannie Lou Hamer. We gather at 6:30 PM for a light potluck dinner, with program from 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM.
Elliott Room
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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.
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The number of Americans that are going to food pantries and soup kitchens has increased by 46% since 2006.
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On Thursday, February 9th, our Food Pantry served 105 guests with the help of
21 volunteers.
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Worship services are streamed live over the Internet. We provide the worship bulletin on the website so that you can follow along. Tune in to worship at 11:00 AM Eastern time.
We have an audio podcast of our Sermons. Click the "Sermon Podcast" icon below to subscribe to audio versions of all the sermons since July, 2016.
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Like us. Follow us. See us. Hear us.
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Stay tuned for next weeks photos.
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Reminders and Looking Ahead
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Women's Ministry- Lenten Devotion
Hello Ladies,
Lent is upon us. Well, almost. As many of you recall, last year I had an eleventh hour epiphany and we developed an online Lenten devotional. This year, I'd like to get organized in advance. For those who are new to this, last year the Women's Ministry produced an online Lenten Devotional of reflections for each of the 40 days of Lent. The reflections were written by 16 of us. This year, I am hoping even more of us will get involved. Here is the link to last year's Devotional: http://lentatfirst.tumblr.com/.
The posting schedule will be the same as last year: The first missive will be the introduction to the Devotional and will include the reflections for Ash Wednesday (March 1st) and Thursday March 2nd. Beginning on Friday, March 3rd, and every subsequent Friday, the reflections will be linked to the newsletter. Like last year, individual posts will not be credited but a list of contributors will be posted on the Devotional website.
For those who are interested in writing reflections, there is no need to wait until Lent. Inspiration may strike early! Hopefully, we can begin compiling early. Last year's reflections were inspired by Scripture, poetry, an experience, an encounter, a memory. There is so much going on in the world around us, and within us ... many of us are feeling contemplative, some of us are feeling conflicted. Last year, journaling and sharing some of our reflections proved to be as much of a healing Lenten practice as meditating on the reflection of the day. The Devotional was our gift to each other, to the congregation and to those who "found" us online.
If you are interested in contributing to the Lenten Devotional, please let me know by next Tuesday (February 21st). I'd like to get the first few weeks scheduled - to know who is contributing on which days. And hopefully to avoid the urgent requests of last year!
Looking forward to our collective Lenten journey,
Edna
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Are you the parent of a teenager? Or are you watching anxiously as your tween moves towards teenage-hood? Whether you are in the stable time that precedes the change-over, or whether you are in it already, this class is for you.
Teens are doing developmentally necessary work to become adults and it can be an arduous experience for the parent(s) too. Come learn how to support your teen's growth and transformation. Come learn how to solve everyday challenges, develop respectful relationships and find solutions that are right for your family.
Positive Discipline classes provide parents with non-punitive methods to encourage and empower children, and to help them develop important life skills.
We'll meet on Sundays after the worship service. Take a few minutes for coffee time and then proceed to the gym. Classes will be held March 5, 12, 19 & 26, and April 2, 23 and 30. There is a $50 materials fee that includes handouts, and the book Positive Discipline for Teenagers - scholarship available, don't let the fee be an obstacle!
Mary Lynn Fiske is a Positive Discipline Parent Educator and a Positive Discipline Classroom Educator.
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Call For Artists
Many people experience the Holy in the beauty of our Sanctuary, the sound of our musicians and choirs, and the poetry of our prayers. If you are interested in helping the First Church Brooklyn community to experience God with movement, puppetry, dramatic presentation, fabric, flowers, writing, set design, and more, please share your interest with Pastor Adriene or call the church office. Thank you for your prayerful consideration.
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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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Men's Fellowship Breakfast
Meets Wednesday morning at the Park Plaza Diner, 220 Cadman Plaza West, 7:30-8:30AM. Join the men as they discuss The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing World. This is a weeklong interview with the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu.
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First Presbyterian Church Social Action Committee
Criminal Justice Activities in Concert With the Church of Gethsemane
Current Needs: Volunteers to prepare and serve lunch for any Sunday between February 5 - February 26. Call Jane Ehlke 781-572-6201.
First Church continues to be active with the Church of Gethsemane.with the following activities:
- Monthly group letter to over 200 Project Connect members incarcerated in NYS Prisons
- Monthly Prison Visits to Project Connect members in Women's prisons in Bedford Hills
- Monthly lunch preparation and serving after worship
- Support for family members having incarcerated members pilot project.
- Administrative support
- Project connect Peer Group participation with formerly incarcerated Project Connect members
- Donation of clothes for formerly incarcerated members
- Re-entry support
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This week's eNewsletter was edited by Christina Adorno.
There is an opening for eNewsletter editor! If interested in this one-week-a-month ministry, please contact Mark Elsenheimer.
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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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