Thursday, June 4, 2009

Spirit Filled Co-Preaching & Sacred Conversations

A weekly e-newsletter of First Presbyterian Church of Brooklyn:

THIS SUNDAY, June 7:

At the 11 a.m. Worship Service and Holy Communion, Barry Ford and Lisa Mensah will preach a sermon titled "The Audacity of Fixing the Jericho Road."

Lisa Mensah and Barry Ford, an elder and member of the session, are married and are the parents of Rebecca, 13, and Andrew, 9. They live in Brooklyn with Lisa's mother, Gloria. Both have long and distinguished records of public service and achievement.

Some highlights:

Lisa is an expert in using financial tools to improve the economic security of the working poor. As executive director of The Aspen Institute, Initiative on Financial Security, she leads an advisory board to explore financial products that build wealth for America's working families. She has worked in commercial banking, and as deputy director of economic development for the Ford Foundation, where she led the foundation's work in microfinance and women's economic development. She holds an M.A. from the Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies of The Johns Hopkins University and a B.A. from Harvard University.

Barry is director of Outreach and Advocacy at the United States Tennis Association, where among other things, he works to introduce the sport of tennis to communities that have been traditionally outside the sport. A 1991 graduate of Harvard Law School, Barry has represented non-profits in governmental and public affairs matters in New York City, has served as vice president for external relations at The After-School Corporation (TASC), and as Senior Policy Advisor to New York City's Public Advocate Mark Green.

Barry graduated from Harvard College with a degree in government.

_________________________

The 10 o' Clock Hour will feature a series for four Sundays called "Searching for a Pastor the Presbyterian Way." June 7 is the first series with a discussion on "Foundations of How We Govern". Meagan Manas, Paul Mowry, Nancy Talbot, and Sarah Wiles will lead the series. See the full course description below. For more information email Rev. Beth at bethfpc@aol.com

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

Sunday School Lesson for June 7, 2009
Focus passage: John 3:1-17 "Mysterious Encounter"


This week is Trinity Sunday. Our lesson begins the Season after Pentecost with a focus on the story of Nicodemus' meeting with Jesus. This encounter evokes wonder and questions and invites us to reflect on the holy mystery of God's presence and God's ways. We invite you to reflect with your family about your own encounters with the Holy One, and the mystery and power of God's presence in your life. Use this blessing at dinner or before bed: May "the hands of God uphold you, the hands of the Savior enfold you, the hands of the Spirit surround you; and the blessing of God, Trinity of love, peace, and justice, uphold you evermore."

Children's Church and Sunday School will begin after the Passing of the Peace.

Sunday School meets through June. Please contact Rev. Beth if you are able to help in July and August with Bible Movie Theater time.

Confirmation Class: June 7th at 12:30 p.m. Mentor groups meet and June 14th is final class at 5:00-6:30 p.m. We will recite 10 Commandments and Lord's Prayer for our Final Ritual.

More Sacred Conversations sponsored by the Many Mansions committee on June 7 Light lunch and child care and a chance to grow our beloved FPC community.

Women's Potluck: June 7, 2009 at 6:00 pm at the Manse. The theme is "Letting Go." Along with your dish please bring an item that you would like to give to someone else and the story behind it.

Other news:

Now's the Time to Join FPC! Classes to be held in June

What's the difference between becoming an "official member" and personally committing to attend regularly? Only members have the right to speak and vote in congressional meetings. Only members can be ordained as elders to govern as members of session. Membership is a commitment of faith within a community and should be considered first as a spiritual act. Please speak to a pastor or elder if you are in discernment over joining.

There will be one two-hour Membership Class to be held on June 20 from 10:00 a.m. – Noon. This will be the only class before the vote for a new PNC.

Please contact Peggy Swisher Slowik ASAP to register at peggyswisher@gmail.com or (917) 400-6589.

Green Team - The Peace Garden needs regular watering during the dry season (June 12th through September 12th). Please contact Uda at umbradford@mindspring.com

or Jill at hughugj@aol.com if you are able to help water for one week or more this summer.

New Parents' Group will not meet at the church during the summer but will enjoy neighborhood playgrounds.

Yoga Class: June 6 will be last class until the Fall. For details, contact yoga instructor Maria Cutrona at maria@jamarts.com

Adult Ed/Spiritual Life will feature a series for four Sundays in June called "Searching for a Pastor the Presbyterian Way." The series will be led by Meagan Manas, Paul Mowry, Nancy Talbot, and Sarah Wiles during the 10 o'Clock Hour meeting on Sunday in the Thurman Room. For more information email Rev. Beth at bethfpc@aol.com

June 7 Foundations of How We Govern

June 14 Leadership in the PC (USA)

June 21 The Process of Calling a New Pastor

June 28 Particular Theological Issues in the Process of Calling a Pastor


Session Meeting: Thursday June 18 at 7:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary.

Ask the Session:

Do you have concerns for the church you'd like to have addressed? The Session wants to hear your concerns in this time of transition. Please send written feedback to Session, which will be addressed at its monthly meeting. Send email to co-clerks, Marcia Smith, at mmax@pasesetter.org ; or Edna Asknes, eja128@msn.com.

Or leave questions and comments in the box in the Narthex labeled" Congregational Questions to the Session."

Church Wide Nominating Committee (CWNC) seeks expressions of interest from Church members (and members only!) interested in serving on the New Pastoral Nominating Committee (PNC). Please prayerfully consider taking up this service to the Church, with energy, discernment, listening ears and open hearts. Expressions of interest are due by June 14th; a Congregational Meeting will be called to elect a new PNC from the slate nominated by the CWNC on June 28th, 2009

If you are interested in serving, please contact any current committee member: Jon Abernethy, Chair, Bernice Adorno, Nate Dudley, Marta Nelson, Sam Murumba, or Kimbirly Mack by emailing them at fpcpnc@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?

Wednesday, June 10:

Men's Breakfast at 7.30 a.m., at the Park Plaza Diner on Cadman Plaza. Contact Jim Palmer at jwpalmer@aol.com.

Mid-Week Boost will not meet this week. Contact Dr. Aris Peguero drarisp@aol.com

Thursday, June 11:

Food Pantry, 10 to 11 a.m. To volunteer, Jane Woland at janewoland@yahoo.com

Thursday Night Choir Rehearsal, Sanctuary, 7 p.m. New members welcome!

Who/where to connect:

Online Donations: 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?GUIDE79B3-73D8-4D85-957E-A95BD878B25D

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