Inquiring minds want to . . . find out . . . First

A weekly e-newsletter of First Presbyterian Church of Brooklyn:
Main office (718) 624-3770 Email info@firstchurchbrooklyn.org

Inquirers Class starting in September!

If you have been thinking about learning more about First Church, take part
in the September Inquirers Class. We will be gathering three times at the
Manse (128 Henry Street, beside the church) to reflect together on the
meaning of faith and life and First Church.
This class will likely be the last opportunity to join before the
congregation elects a new Senior Pastor some time this fall. (Only members
of FPC are eligible to vote when the congregation calls a pastor.) The
meetings will take place on the following Saturdays:
Sept. 11 @ 9 a.m., Sept. 18 @ 11 a.m., and Sept. 25 @ 9 a.m. Those from the
class who decide to join the church will do so on October 3.
To take part, please contact Paul Austin at paustin19@yahoo.com or Peggy
Slowik at peggyswisher@gmail.com or (917) 400-6589.
(Church members who want refreshment in matters of faith and church are also
welcome.
Please tell Paul, Peggy, or Rev. Phelps if you would like to attend a
meeting.)

THIS FRIDAY August 13, 2010
Summer Garden Party: Join us for our Garden Party from 6:00-7:30 p.m. in the
Peace Garden. Light refreshments will be served.

THIS SUNDAY August 15, 2010
The Worship Celebration begins at 10:00 a.m. throughout August.
Rev. Phelps will deliver the sermon "The Word Is Very Near."
Printed copies of Rev. Phelps' recent sermons are on the table in the
Narthex (Henry Street Foyer) and are also posted on-line in text and audio
formats at www.shphelps.com

The nursery will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., with Christina and Patty.
Kids Worship: Join our teacher Laura Koenig and kids ages 4 and up for
faith, fun and talking vegetables. After the passing of the peace, the
children meet in the gym for a special Veggie Tales series about trusting
God and discovering their inner gifts.
The Ten O'Clock Hour, the Sunday morning adult education program, will
resume in September.

Other News:
Rev. Phelps will begin a two-week vacation on Monday, August 16th. In his
absence, emergency pastoral care needs will be provided through the church.
Please call the church office for help with a pastoral care need.

Associate Pastor Rev. Beth Waltemath is on Family/Medical leave to care for
her medically fragile daughter Margaret Grace as she transitions home. She
will return to her normal pastoral duties on Friday, October 29th. Rev.
Beth wishes to thank the congregation for your support and prayers this
year.

A Note from Elder Larry Picard. In May, I signed up for Team In Training,
a fundraising arm of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. As a team, we are
training to run a marathon (yes, a marathon) and individually we are
committed to raising thousands of dollars for LLS. On October 2, I will be
participating in the Hamptons Marathon. Right now, I am raising $3,000 for
the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. I'm happy to report that my fundraising has
been successful so far. However, I need to continue my efforts in order to
reach my goal and so am turning to my church community for support. Below
is a link to my fundraising page. In the link, click on the Donate Now
button in the column on the right if you'd like to donate by credit card. I
can also accept cash and checks (Leukemia & Lymphoma Society).
http://pages.teamintraining.org/nyc/hampton10/larrypicard

Choir Rehearsals Throughout the summer, choir members will join the Music
Director at 9:00 am on Sunday for the one weekly rehearsal. Rehearsals on
Thursday evenings resume on Thursday, September 2.

Summer Garden Parties: FPC's Friday evening Garden Parties are held
throughout the summer from 6:00-7:30 p.m. in the Peace Garden. Light
refreshments are served. If you're interested in hosting, please contact
Edna Asknes via the Church office at info@firstchurchbrooklyn.org

Kids Worship this summer: will run through August 22. Join our teacher
Laura Koenig and kids ages 4 and up for faith, fun, and talking vegetables.
No Kids Worship on August 29 & September 5. Our regular Sunday School Year
begins on September 12.

Communications Team: If you would like to contribute ideas and energy to web
site development/enhancement and other strategies and designs for
strengthening our community connections, send an email to Richard Greene
(rtgreene2@aol.com) who is organizing the team for this work.

A Phone Directory of First Church Members and Friends is available---a
useful tool for strengthening our connections in work and fellowship. Ask
for one at church, or contact the office to have one sent to you.

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.

Mentoring Youth: If you are interested in mentoring our youth as they
continue their faith journey contact Rev. Beth at
bwaltemath@firstchurchbrooklyn.org.

Updates on Margaret Grace: Go to
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/bethwaltemath

Appointments with Ministry Staff
During Rev. Phelps' vacation, call the Church Office at 718 624-3770.

Some church regulars gathered recently to rehearse a reading of the libretto
for a new opera, written by Terry Quinn. A public reading (not a
performance) is contemplated for the fall at First Church. Stay tuned.

Piano and Organ Lessons: Customized piano and organ lessons for kids and
adults by FPC organist Wil Smith. Contact him at wmdanielsmith@gmail.com or
646 320-0606.

On the calendar:
Tuesday, August 17
Living with Loss at 6:00 p.m. in the Thurman Room. Contact Rev. Charles
Monaco at 718-647-5479 or email at imagepark@aol.com.

Wednesday, August 18
Men's Breakfast at 7:30 a.m., at the Park Plaza Diner on Cadman Plaza.
Contact Jim Palmer at jwpalmer@aol.com

Thursday, August 19
Food Pantry, 10 to 11 a.m. To volunteer, contact Jane Woland at
jawol28@gmail.com

Friday, August 20
Garden Parties, 6:00-7:30 p.m. in the Peace Garden. If you're interested in
hosting, please contact Edna Asknes via the Church office at
info@firstchurchbrooklyn.org

Who/where to connect:
Online Donations: Set up a recurring gift to the church through a secure
online account.
On the church website, www.firstchurchbrooklyn.org
<http://www.firstchurchbrooklyn.org/> , click the DONATE button at the lower
left of the page. To set up an account, click on the "First Church Donation
Account Setup" link. To edit an existing gift, choose the "First Church
Donation Login" link.