|
Sacrifice of Isaac; Chagall, Marc, 1887-1985; Painting; Musée du Message Biblique Marc-Chagall; Nice, France
|
|
God’s peace First Church Brooklyn Family and Friends,
It is hard to think about the binding and almost sacrifice of the child, Isaac, in the Hebrew Bible and not think of the children in the USA who have lost their lives to COVID – children too young to get vaccinated but sent into schools with the option to wear protective masks or not. Certainly, God did not ask for this sacrifice, but it is being made all the same. Babies, toddlers, tweens and teens are dying. What are we doing?! No, really, what are we at First Church Brooklyn trying to animate in the world as children are dying? How do we, as a faith community, intend to be in a Covid world?
Before I left on vacation, I reached out to the women and women-identified folx in our church to invite their pondering on that very topic. This Sunday and next the women will gather and kick-off a season of discernment. What is God wanting to awaken in the women of First Church Brooklyn? That question has become even more vital as our country begins the reckless and ridiculous task of trying to go back to normal. There is no going back; there is only forward. First
Church women, please join me at 12:15PM, this Sunday and next, as we embark upon a 10-month season of Listening for the Spirit. The Zoom meeting ID number is 897 3392 2099. I can’t wait to see you!
Worship is back at 11 am this Sunday, and I will be preaching live from the sanctuary for the first time since March 2020! Continue to join us virtually at firstchurchbrooklyn.org and save the date of October 10th when we look forward to welcoming you home for Homecoming.
You are loved,
|
|
|
|
WATCH: A story about the Brooklyn Heights Community Fridge will air this Friday, September 17th on the Live at Noon show on NY1. If you can’t tune in, I will share the link as soon as it is received.
READ: I wrote an article about the dance of life that appears in the September/October issue of Presbyterians Today. Find it here, and keep on dancing.
|
|
|
|
The choir met in the sanctuary for the first time in over a year and a half. Trial runs will be happening in the sanctuary as we prepare for homecoming on October 10th. The Choir and worship team with Rev. Thorne will be in the sanctuary starting this Sunday September 19th for 11:00AM worship. Perimeters will be expanded as seen in the chart below.
|
|
The community fridge has been up and running since July of this year. The community has responded to well to the fridge by providing fresh produce, sandwiches and prepackaged meals for those who need it.
|
|
Children Youth and Families
|
|
Parent and Caregiver Meeting(s)
On September 29 at 7:30PM and October 27 at 6:30PM, I will be hosting an informational and support gathering for caregivers and parents. This is going to be a time to connect and talk about all things CYF and our church community. The meeting will be on Zoom and the link will be sent out as we get closer. There is no need to sign up. All are welcome to attend one or both. The agenda will be the same for each one.
Consent and Boundaries Training
Sunday September 19 at 10:00AM - this is an opportunity for people in the congregation, including staff and volunteers, to learn about how we can work to be a spiritually, physically, and emotionally safe place for children. It will be about 55 minutes with time for questions and enough time to prepare for worship at 11:00.
- Please click this link to join the webinar
-
Passcode: 249271
-
Or One tap mobile: +16465588656,,86701705605#,,*249271#
-
or +13126266799,,86701705605#,,*249271#
-
-
Or Telephone:
Dial: +1 646 558 8656 or +1 312 626 6799
Webinar ID: 867 0170 5605
Passcode: 249271
Let's get together!
Lastly, if you would like to meet with me, please sign up here! Please indicate in the notes section if you would like to meet in person (outside) or via Zoom.
Thank you all for participating in the life of CYF at First Church! I am truly inspired by the loving people in this community. As always, please reach out to me if you need to talk, connect, or have questions. I look forward to the program year and getting to know all of you more deeply!
Peace and blessings,
Rebecca Stevens-Walter, MDiv
|
|
Congregation and Community News
|
|
|
|
Annual NYC Presbytery Virtual Advocacy Day
Mark Your Calendars - Saturday, October 16, 2021, 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM
- Learn the differences between various categories of immigrants, refugees and Special Immigrant Visa populations, and how to support those groups as they seek to build new lives in the United States
- Hear updates on criminal justice reforms and future legislative actions to support next steps
- Understand why climate change and environmental issues impact the poor disproportionately
- Discover what is really happening with vouchers and other pandemic-related housing relief; best practices to end homelessness
Information about how to participate via Zoom and a list of speakers are forthcoming. Now is the time to save the date of October 16 and let your friends know so they can also attend.
|
|
Conversations on Race: 400 Souls
On Tuesday, September 21st from 6:30-7:30 pm, and every 3rd Tuesday, we will join with Christ Church NYC for CONVERSATIONS ON RACE. September’s book selection: Four Hundred Souls - edited by Ibram X. Kendi & Keisha N. Blain. Follow the link below for details.
|
|
2022 MISSION TRIP TO CUBA:
First Church’s White Rose Ministry is in the early stages of planning a mission trip to Cuba during May of 2022. Needless to say, a number of conditions…both health-related and political…must be met before such a trip can take place. However, we are adamant and excited about extending support to our our brothers and sisters in Cuba through our presence.
Members of First Church who are interested in becoming part of the mission group should contact Rich Greene for additional information.
White Rose looks forward to hearing from you.
|
|
Prayer Requests
“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.” (1 John 5:14 NIV)
Our world is changing daily, and yet we still believe in the power of prayer. We still desire to pray with and for our community. If you have a prayer request – a joy or a concern, please send your prayers to us at info@firstchurchbrooklyn.org. We will add prayers to our worship bulletin each week and keep your prayers in our hearts and on our lips for the week to come.
|
|
Men's Fellowship Book Discussion
First Church's Men's Group meet in person every Wednesday morning from 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM. They gather at Park Plaza Diner, 220 Cadman Plaza West where they will discuss what they are reading and, if time allows, solve as many of the world's problems as possible. We are currently discussing:
The Power of Myth
by Joseph Campbell
In this beloved 1988 PBS series, mythologist and storyteller Joseph Campbell joins Bill Moyers to explore what enduring myths can tell us about our lives. In each of six episodes –“The Hero’s Adventure,” “The Message of the Myth,” “The First Storytellers,” “Sacrifice and Bliss,” “Love and the Goddess,” and “Masks of Eternity” — Moyers and Campbell focus on a character or theme found in cultural and religious mythologies. Campbell argues that these timeless archetypes continue to have a powerful influence on the choices we make and the ways we live.
Released shortly after Campbell’s death on October 30, 1987, The Power of Myth was one of the most popular TV series in the history of public television, and continues to inspire new audiences.(1988)
|
|
Food Pantry 
Serving Thursday, 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
On Thursday, September 16th, our pantry served 146 clients with the help of 20 volunteers.
We are maintaining food bins and a community fridge at the church to provide round the clock support to the food insecure and unhoused. If you need food, please help yourself. If you have food to share, thank you for dropping off.
Volunteers are welcome to arrive on Thursdays between 9:00-11:00 am to serve in the pantry. No advanced notice required. Please contact the church office to inquire about volunteering. We look forward to serving with you.
Jane Woland
Pantry Coordinator
|
|
Worship service video is 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.
If you have access to a screen of any size, try our Video LIVE Stream on firstchurchbrooklyn.org/watch-listen/ and our Facebook page.
Want to hear a Sermon again? We have a podcast of Sermon audio! Click the "Sermon Podcast" icon, below, to subscribe.
|
|
Wednesday “Flash” Text Devotionals
Sometimes the weeks are long, right? Our Wednesday morning “flash” text devotional is meant to help give you a boost in the middle of the week. Simply Text the word DEVOTIONAL to 66599 to sign up. Every Wednesday, a super-short, thought-provoking piece will be texted to you.
|
|
A full calendar of church events can be found on the church website.
|
|
This week's eNewsletter was edited by Mark Elsenheimer.
|
|
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 Church Brooklyn's website.
Appointments with Ministry Staff may be arranged by calling the Church at 718-624-3770, or via email.
|
|
|
No comments:
Post a Comment