Friday, January 30, 2009

FPC Weekly E-Newsletter

THIS SATURDAY, Jan. 31, 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m.:

Winter Clean-up Project, Phase Two. If you can only come for an hour, please stop by.  Lunch will be provided so please contact Jill Huguet if you are able to attend hughugj@aol.com. Thank you to everyone who helped, Jan. 10, during Phase 1 of our clean-up. Thank you, Emily and Katy for the yummy soup and rolls.

 

THIS SUNDAY, Feb. 1:

At 11 a.m. Interim Senior Pastor Rev. Cari Jackson will preach a sermon titled "The Grace of Now, Part Two." The nursery will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. 

 

The 10 o'Clock Hour will resume with a discussion of "Listening for God's Call" (A full list of topics can be found on the church bulletin board and the website calendar.) Led by David Mulle.

 

Other news:

 

Congratulations to Dr. Cari Jackson, Ph.D!!! She defended her dissertation and emerged victorious. Congratulations to her.

 

"Insights from the OBAMA Transition: Post-Inaugural Panel Discussion"

Wow! What a great discussion, attended by close to 300 people, and covered by several news media organizations. What made it even more special was that all of the speakers are members of our church. Many thanks to our panelists: Jim Johnson, Lisa Mensah, Linda Kolts, and Barry Food. Thanks to the Communications Team members: Chris Slowik (chair), Sonia Wilson, Taylor Margis-Noguera, and Jenny Vallon for the press releases, fliers, community blog alerts, and more.  Thanks to all who attended and who spread the word. Many blessings as we take this forward, Rev. Cari

 

Annual Called Meeting of the Congregation. Sunday, February 8, immediately following worship. The entire congregation is encouraged to come. Hear highlights of 2008, updates from the Pastoral Nominating Committee, and selection of new elders led by the Church-Wide Nominating Committee

 

The Middle East is facing overwhelming humanitarian needs as a result of the continuing violenceWHAT YOU CAN DO:  Give to help the PC(USA) and our partners meet the physical needs of those is all the areas where violence leaves them vulnerable, and the emotional and spiritual needs of the many more who have been traumatized by that violence.  Mail your checks to Presbyterian Church (USA), Church Remittance Processing, P.O. Box 643700, Pittsburgh, PA 15264-3700, or give through your congregation's normal giving channels.  Write "DR00081-F1" on the check or remittance form so that we can ensure your gift is designated to meet these urgent needs.  You can also give online at WWW.pcusa.org/pda/

 

 

The Life and Loss Group meets every Tuesday through February 17. Cost is $100 for the 5 session series. or $25 per session. To register, contact group facilitator, Rev. Charles Monaco, (718) 510-6964 or imagepark@aol.com.

 

Men's Breakfast: Join the men's breakfast group every Wednesday morning from 7:30--8:30 am at the Cadman Plaza Diner. Contact Jim Palmer at jwpalmer@aol.com for more information.

 

On the calendar:

For more details about calendar events, click on this link. Click again on the event on the calendar to read a description. 

http://www.fpcbrooklyn.org/phpEventCalendar/index.php?month=9&year=2008

 

Tuesday, Feb. 3:

New Parent's Group, 3:30 p.m., Elliott Room, Nursery

Life & Loss Group, 6:30 p.m., Thurman Room

 

Wednesday, Feb. 4:

Men's Breakfast at 7.30 a.m., at the Park Plaza Diner on Cadman Plaza

Midweek Boost at 7 p.m., Manse Parlor, 128 Henry St.

 

Thursday, Feb. 6:

New Parent's Group, 3:30 p.m., Elliott Room, Nursery

 

Sunday Feb. 8:

Church Annual Meeting, 12.30p.m., Elliott Room

 

Tuesday, Feb. 17:

Tuesday Tea at 4:00 p.m., Rose Room

 

Who/where to connect:

To give online: Contribute to the church through a secure online account. To find it on the church website, http://www.fpcbrooklyn.org, go to the Site Credits/ Link tab and select First Church Donation Account Setup. Or go to 

https://www.egsnetwork.com/pages/donor_create.php?GUID=EBCE79B3-73D8-4D85-957E-A95BD878B25D

 

To become an FPC member:

Contact Peggy Swisher Slowik at peggyswisher@gmail.com, or see Reeves Carter for information about classes for new members.


Thursday, January 22, 2009

FPC Weekly E-Newsletter

TONIGHT – Thursday, Jan. 22, 6:00 PM

 "Evolving Faith in a Secular World."  Come hear the FPC Choir sing in a production written by Professor Derrick Bell. Join them for a wonderful evening celebrating the life of Martin Luther King, Jr., and the power of music to transform individuals and communities. NYU Law School Greenberg Lounge, located at 245 Sullivan Street, Manhattan (south side of Washington Square). Free and open to the public.

 

THIS SUNDAY, Jan. 25:

At 11 a.m. Interim Senior Pastor Rev. Cari Jackson will preach a sermon titled "The Grace of Now." The nursery will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. 

 

The 10 o'Clock Hour will resume with a discussion of "Forgiveness as a Spiritual Act."  The next topic will be "Listening for God's Call" (A full list of topics can be found on the church bulletin board and the website calendar.) Led by David Mulle.

 

 "Insights from the OBAMA Transition."  

Join us for a Post-Inaugural Panel Discussion at 1:00 p.m. this Sunday in the Sanctuary.  Members of our church community have played key roles in President Obama's Transition Team—Jim Johnson and Lisa Mensah. Hear them share their Transition Team experiences and their insights about the visions of the Obama Administration. The panel will lead a community discussion about ways our community might work together for social change. Moderator: Barry Ford. Sponsored by Many Mansions and Social Action. Open to the public. See flier attached.

Here's how you can help: (1) Distribute the attached flier to family, friends, colleagues, neighbors; or (2) Bring finger foods for Fellowship Hour between worship service and the discussion. If you are planning to bring food, contact Jim Cummings at jcummings@showfab.com

 

Other news:

 

"Joshua Generation" 2nd Annual Church-Wide Retreat. Thanks to all of you who organized and attended this past retreat. Special thanks to Chris Neuner, Emily Thomas, Linda Kolts, and Rev. Beth Waltemath. All reports are that it was an awesome time for all. Here are some remembrances of the "winter weekend" from Linda:

 

* The hill below the Phoenix covered with parents and children laughing and yelling

* The Phoenix at 10 pm on Saturday with children laughing and screaming

* The quiet of the Phoenix after the children left to go to the bowling center

* Naya's concern about someone who had fallen off the sled and was "resting" -- "Are you OK?"    "Are you OK?"

* Ivy reminding us that a ghost in the basement didn't scare her

* The awe when the children saw turkey and deer

* Every radiator used to dry the snowpants, hats and gloves

* Jim and Chris comparing ghost stories

Emily and I feel that there was mostly the great feeling of connectedness, with conversations in the kitchen and around the table, with kids playing together, with kids and adults playing together, with kids and adults working together!   -- Linda

 

The Life and Loss Group every Tuesday through February 17. Cost $100 for the 5 session series or $25 per session. To register, contact group facilitator, Rev. Charles Monaco, (718) 510-6964 or imagepark@aol.com.

 

Men's Breakfast: Join the men's breakfast group every Wednesday morning from 7:30--8:30 am at the Cadman Plaza Diner. Contact Jim Palmer at jwpalmer@aol.com for more information.

On the calendar:

For more details about calendar events, click on this link. Click again on the event on the calendar to read a description. 

http://www.fpcbrooklyn.org/phpEventCalendar/index.php?month=9&year=2008

 

Tuesday, Jan. 27:

New Parent's Group, 3:30 p.m., Elliott Room, Nursery

Life & Loss Group, 6:30 p.m., Thurman Room

 

Wednesday, Jan 28:

Men's Breakfast at 7.30 a.m., at the Park Plaza Diner on Cadman Plaza

Midweek Boost at 7 p.m., Manse Parlor, 128 Henry St.

 

Thursday, Jan. 29:

New Parent's Group, 3:30 p.m., Elliott Room, Nursery

 

Who/where to connect:

To give online: Contribute to the church through a secure online account. To find it on the church website, http://www.fpcbrooklyn.org, go to the Site Credits/ Link tab and select First Church Donation Account Setup. Or go to 

https://www.egsnetwork.com/pages/donor_create.php?GUID=EBCE79B3-73D8-4D85-957E-A95BD878B25D

 

To become an FPC member:

Contact Peggy Swisher Slowik at peggyswisher@gmail.com, or see Reeves Carter for information about classes for new members.


Thursday, January 15, 2009

FPC Weekly E-Newsletter

THIS WEEKEND. "River Crossing" Church-Wide Retreat, Jan. 16-19, 2009 at the Grail Retreat Center at Cornwall-on-Hudson. Come together in prayer, in song, in conversation, in common meal, in good old-fashioned fun as a community to experience God's Promise in our lives. 

q       Donation: $225-275 for families, $125-175 for singles.

q       Transportation. Driving and train directions are at www.thegrailatcornwall.org. For rides from the train at Cornwall, before Friday, call Emily Thomas at 347-262-6466 with your train travel plans. 

q       Retreat Schedule and Food.  Whether coming by car or train, send your arrival and departure days/times to Rev. Beth at bethfpc@aol.com & Chris Neuner at cneuner@verizon.net to get the retreat schedule and to help us plan for food and age-appropriate activities for children and adults

 

THIS SUNDAY, Jan. 18:

At 11 a.m. The Rev. Charles Monaco, our guest preacher, will preach a sermon titled "Trouble as a Call to Peace."  Rev. Charles Monaco is an ordained Interfaith Minister who has worked for over 15 years therapeutically with groups and individuals using music, movement, and mental imagery.  Rev. Charles is also the facilitator for our Life and Loss Grief Group at FPC.

 

The nursery will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. 

 

The 10 o'Clock Hour will not be meeting this Sunday due to Church Wide Retreat Weekend.

 

Circle of Wisdom will meet at 1 p.m. to explore questions including how to reach the power of your spiritual wisdoms to guide you in school, work, and relationships. Especially for adults aged 18-25, but people of all ages are welcome.

 

Other news:

 

Update from the Pastoral Nominating Committee

Steps Already Completed

1.      PNC was elected by the Congregation in October, 2007. The purpose of the PNC was to represent the whole congregation and choose one final Candidate for Senior Pastor to present to the Congregation for final vote. Using the Mission Review Statement that was developed with intensive feedback from the Congregation and approved by the Session as a guide, the PNC began to evaluate candidates.

  1. PNC advertised the Pastor position, using the Church Information Form (CIF) that was created from the Mission Review Statement, and as a result has collected resumes of approximately 150 candidates during the past year.  Some candidates were also invited to submit taped sermons. 

3.      Every week, the PNC met to review resumes and sermons and to hold telephone interviews with viable candidates.

4.       We personally met with several promising candidates and heard them preach from neutral pulpits (that is, not our church and not places where they regularly preach).

5.      PNC submitted the names of several finalists to the NYC Presbytery for reference checks and for rulings on whether they are qualified under the Book of Order to be hired by FPC.

6.      The identities of the candiates and other aspects of the search have been be kept confidential because:

1)       many candidates already have jobs and do not wish their current employers to know of their interest in this position;   

2)       the search must be done in accordance with legal EEOC rules;

3)       references must be checked, including some references that might NOT check out.

 

Next Steps

1.      PNC will choose the final candidate after hearing from Presbytery about the reference checks.

2.      Session will approve a salary and benefit package for the new Pastor and PNC will present the package to the final Candidate.

  1. PNC and the final Candidate will personally appear before the NYC Presbytery's Committee on Ministry (COM) at a monthly meeting.  COM must approve both the candidate and the terms of the salary and benefits.
  2. Once the final Candidate is approved by COM, the Session of FPC will call a Congregational Meeting for the purpose of electing the new Pastor.  Notice of the meeting will be given two weeks prior.  In the meeting notice, the Session and Congregation will learn the name of the Candidate and receive a biography.  The meeting will be held on a Sunday so that the Candidate may lead worship and preach in Service that Sunday.  Members of  the Congregation will then have an opportunity to vote on the Candidate by secret ballot.
  3. Prior to the Sunday of the Congregational meeting, PNC and Session will arrange a series of informal morning, day, and evening meetings with the Candidate, open to all (while only members of the Congregation are eligible to vote, any person may come to meet the Candidate). 

 

 "Evolving Faith in a Secular World."  Come hear the First Presbyterian Church of Brooklyn Choir as they sing in a production written by Professor Derrick Bell. Join them for a wonderful evening celebrating the life of Martin Luther King, Jr., and the power of music to transform individuals and communities. Thursday, January 22, 6:00 PM at NYU Law School Greenberg Lounge, located at 245 Sullivan Street, New York. Free and open to the public.

 

"Insights from the Transition." Three members of our church community have played key roles in President-Elect Obama's Transition Team—Jim Johnson, Lisa Mensah, and Rev. Fred Davie. Join in this post-Presidential Inauguration conversation, featuring Jim Johnson, an elder of First Presbyterian Church and a partner at the law firm of Debevoise & Plimpton LLP.  On Sunday, January 25, at 1:00 p.m. come hear them speak about the work of the Transition Team, the plans of the new Administration and the way forward for all who are interested in social change. Open to the public.

 

Help Bridge the Gap: 2009 Stewardship Campaign. Thanks for $225,944 in pledges received thus far. Additional pledges are still needed. If you need a pledge card sent to you, please contact the church office by email. At fpc124@aol.com. 2009 donations may be made online by signing up through our church website:

https://www.egsnetwork.com/pages/donor_create.php?GUID=EBCE79B3-73D8-4D85-957E-A95BD878B25D

 

Men's Breakfast: Join the men's breakfast group every Wednesday morning from 7:30--8:30 am at the Cadman Plaza Diner. Contact Jim Palmer at jwpalmer@aol.com for more information.

 

The Life and Loss Group will resume on Tuesday January 20 through February 17 as a mid-winter 5 sessions group.  Weekly theme will include self-nurturance, reconnecting and healing ourselves. Sessions use music, guided mediation, and group discussion. Cost $100 for the 5 session series or $25 per session. To register, contact group facilitator, Rev. Charles Monaco, (718) 510-6964 or imagepark@aol.com.

On the calendar:

 For more details about calendar events, click on this link. Click again on the event on the calendar to read a description. 

http://www.fpcbrooklyn.org/phpEventCalendar/index.php?month=9&year=2008

 

Tuesday, Jan. 20:

New Parent's Group, 3:30 p.m., Elliott Room, Nursery

Tuesday Tea, 4 to 5:30 p.m., Rose Room

Life & Loss Group, 6:30 p.m., Thurman Room

  

Thursday, Jan. 22:

New Parent's Group, 3:30 p.m., Elliott Room, Nursery

 

 

Who/where to connect:

To give online: Contribute to the church through a secure online account. To find it on the church website, http://www.fpcbrooklyn.org, go to the Site Credits/ Link tab and select First Church Donation Account Setup. Or go to 

https://www.egsnetwork.com/pages/donor_create.php?GUID=EBCE79B3-73D8-4D85-957E-A95BD878B25D

 

To become an FPC member:

Contact Peggy Swisher Slowik at peggyswisher@gmail.com, or see Reeves Carter for information about classes for new members.


Thursday, January 8, 2009

FPC Weekly E-Newsletter

THIS SATURDAY, Jan. 10.

Church Clean-Up Day From 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. All are welcome, for the full time or just a half hour.  Lunch will be provided. Please email Jill Huguet hughugj@aol.com if you are able to help.

 

THIS SUNDAY, Jan. 11:

At 11 a.m. Interim Senior Pastor Rev. Cari Jackson will preach a sermon titled "Speak the Word Only." The nursery will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. 

 

The 10 o'Clock Hour will resume with a discussion of "Forgiveness as a Spiritual Act."  (A full list of topics can be found on the church bulletin board and the website calendar.) Led by David Mulle.

 

Cuba Mission Fundraising Dinner: After the worship service, share delicious food prepared by the White Rose Ministry to support their work with a sister church in Cuba. All are welcome.

 

Circle of Wisdom will meet at 1 p.m. to explore questions including how to reach the power of your spiritual wisdoms to guide you in school, work, and relationships. Especially for adults aged 18-25, but people of all ages are welcome.

 

Other news:

 

Come together for the Inauguration: All New Yorkers are invited to City Hall on Tuesday, Jan. 20 at 9:30 a.m. to see President-elect Barack Obama sworn into office on big screen televisions set up in Council Chambers, the Committee Room, and the Rotunda. Doors will open at 9:30 a.m.  The inaugural ceremony traditionally begins around 10 a.m. and lasts for about two hours.  Space is limited, though, so please RSVP by January 16th to 212-442-1649 or via email to events@council.nyc.gov. Then on Jan. 25, come hear Jim Johnson talk about his role on President-Elect Obama's transition team at 1p.m. at the church.

                    

Help Bridge the Gap: 2009 Stewardship Campaign. As of now, we have received $213,368 in pledges, far from what we need to cover expenses. Your 2009 donations may be made through our church website at www.fpcbrooklyn.org; go to "Site Credits/Links."

 

Men's Breakfast: Join the men's breakfast group every Wednesday morning from 7:30--8:30 am at the Cadman Plaza Diner. Contact Jim Palmer at jwpalmer@aol.com for more information.

 

The Life and Loss Group will resume on Tuesday Jan 13. Winter often increases the sadness and loneliness of grieving. Join in a 5-week series focusing on self-nurturance, reconnecting, and healing. Sessions use music, guided mediation, and group discussion. Cost $100 for five-session series or $25 per session, sliding fee. To register, contact group facilitator, Rev. Charles Monaco, (718) 510-6964 or imagepark@aol.com.

 

On the calendar:

 For more details, click on this link to go to church calendar. (Click again on the event on the calendar to read a description.) 

http://www.fpcbrooklyn.org/phpEventCalendar/index.php?month=9&year=2008

 

Monday, Jan. 12:

Session Meeting, Manse, 7 p.m.

 

Tuesday, Jan. 13:

New Parent's Group, 3:30 p.m., Elliott Room, Nursery

Living with Loss during the Holidays, 6:30 p.m., Thurman Room

  

Thursday, Jan. 15:

New Parent's Group, 3:30 p.m., Elliott Room, Nursery

 

Friday-Monday, Jan. 16-19, 2009

Church-Wide Retreat, The Grail, Cornwall, NY

 

Tuesday Jan. 20:

Tuesday Tea, 4 to 5:30 p.m., Rose Room

 

Sunday, Jan. 25

"Insights from the Transition." Conversation with Jim Johnson about his role on President-Elect Obama's Transition Team, 1p.m. Open to the public. Watch for details.

 

Who/where to connect:

To give online: Contribute to the church through a secure online account. To find it on the church website, http://www.fpcbrooklyn.org, go to the Site Credits/ Link tab and select First Church Donation Account Setup. Or go to

 

https://www.egsnetwork.com/pages/donor_create.php?GUID=EBCE79B3-73D8-4D85-957E-A95BD878B25D

 

To become an FPC member:

Contact Peggy Swisher Slowik at peggyswisher@gmail.com, or see Reeves Carter for information about classes for new members.