We Say Farewell to Rev. Beth and her family

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

Main office (718) 624-3770               Email info@firstchurchbrooklyn.org

THIS SATURDAY September 25, 2010

Inquirers Class: at 9:00 a.m. in the Manse (128 Henry St.).  If you want to take part in this conversation, hosted especially with newer church participants in mind, please contact Paul Austin at paustin19@yahoo.com or Peggy Slowik at peggyswisher@gmail.com  or (917) 400-6589. (Church members are also welcome. Please tell Paul, Peggy, or Rev. Phelps if you would like to attend a meeting.)

THIS SUNDAY September 26, 2010

Worship Service, 11 a.m. our Associate Pastor, Rev. Beth Waltemath will preach her last sermon at First Church:  "If You Remember One Thing, Remember This."

Special Congregational Meeting in the Sanctuary immediately following the worship celebration.  The main business of the meeting will be to act on Rev. Beth's request to dissolve the pastoral relationship with the First Presbyterian Church of Brooklyn. An election of nominees to fill vacancies on the Session will also take place.

Farewell Reception in the Elliott Room, immediately following the Congregational Meeting.  An Appreciation Journal is in the Narthex (Henry St. foyer) to receive your notes of thanks, memories, and photographs of Rev. Beth.  If you have not already done so, please make time to put your thoughts or pictures together for her there.

Ten O'Clock Hour: Throughout September and October, we will continue to explore the parables of Jesus.  Join us for an hour of fellowship, spiritual reflection, education, and thoughtful discussion.  No outside reading is required.  All are welcome.

The nursery will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., with Christina and Patty.

Kids Worship: Sunday school continues with whole-group community-building games. 

Other News:

PNC Update:  Unanimous decision reached!

It is with great joy and excitement that the committee is pleased to announce a unanimous decision in identifying a candidate for Senior Pastor.

Since October 2009 the committee has proceeded to move in an expeditious and thoughtful manner with the duty we've been charged with.  Our efforts were greatly aided by the prior PNC and the patience and understanding of the congregation.

            Over the next few weeks we will be communicating process and timing leading up to the congregational vote.  At this point, only limited information can be shared due to procedural events that must occur first. Once this has taken place the committee will reveal the name of the candidate, as well as the decision process.  Our intent is to be as transparent as possible so that the congregation can make an informed decision. 

            As our work continues, we look forward to keeping you updated and will make ourselves available should you have any questions.

— David Mullé and Taylor Noguera, PNC Co-Chairs; Paul Austin, Erick Brogger, Lukus Hasenstab, Harriette Mandeville, Aris Peguero, Susan Schultz,  and Emily Thomas.

Hymnal Drive Update: Thank you very much to those early contributors to our First Hymnal Drive Ever! We've received funds to purchase 24 new African American Heritage Hymnals! Our goal is 50.  Imagine how much easier life will be between 11 a.m. and 12 p.m. on Sunday when you reach for a hymnal and it's right in front of you in whatever pew you choose.  Place $20 in the envelope provided and let us know who you are and whom you want to honor and we'll do the rest.

  

2011 Offering Envelopes: It's that time again for ordering our 2011 offering envelopes.  If you would like to request (or unsubscribe from receiving) offering envelopes please call the Church office at 718-624-3770 or email Annie Solages at info@firstchurchbrooklyn.org by October 31, 2010.

Mid-Week Boost:  Sermon Talk Back with our Interim Pastor Rev. Stephen H. Phelps and Dr. Beth Mount on the themes from the Sept 19 sermon, exploring community with the severely disabled.  Even if you do not have time to read or listen to the sermon "Power Made Perfect in Weakness," www.shphelps.com/sermons.htm , come anyway and let us share our thoughts in the spirit of listening collectively.  A printed copy of the sermon will be provided. Wednesday, September 29^th at 7:00 p.m. in the Thurman Room. 

An all-First Church cast will offer a dramatic reading of the librettos for two new operas written by Terry Quinn.   You can hear the readings of The Mark of Cain and The Birthmark in the Elliott Room of the church on Saturday, October 23 at 2:00 p.m.  The readings take not very much time, when compared with a full opera.  As a consequence,  Larry Picard and Frank Longino will also sing an aria from the work.  The public is invited. 

Our Nate Dudley has brought to fruition a years-long passion and labor: the development, construction, and Fall 2010 opening of the New York Harbor School on Governor's Island.  "Our facility is stunning and the setting is gorgeous . . ." writes Nate in a letter describing opening season activities.  Here are two things you can do:

Friday, October 1^st Open House (3:30-5:30 pm): Take a free ferry ride from the Battery Maritime Bldg at 10 South St., Manhattan to tour the facilities with student guides.

View the video Classroom on the Water, which tells the story Nate has been living toward so passionately.  http://nyc.gov/html/nycmg/nyctvod/html/home/harbor_school.html

Congratulations, Nate.

September is National Preparedness MONTH: Make a Plan: Pick a Meeting Point...

It is much easier to stay calm during an emergency if you have a plan. Decide where your household will reunite after a disaster. Identify two places to meet: one right outside your home, and another outside your neighborhood, such as a library, community center, or place of worship - why not at First Church. Visit your meeting place with your family and discuss the alternative routes to reach it in case an emergency shuts down a piece of your neighborhood. Check out the following National Preparedness Month resources that can help you choose a meeting place:

• Use the Get Ready NYC: My Meeting Place application on OEM's Facebook page this week for a chance to win a Go Bag.

A Phone Directory of First Church members and friends is available. 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 Marta Nelson at mnelson@ceoworks.org.

Appointments with Ministry Staff

Call Rev. Phelps at the Church or, as needed, at home: 718 928-3797 or email: sphelps@firstchurchbrooklyn.org .  The Church Office number is 718 624-3770.

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

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, September 28

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, September 29

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

White Rose Ministry Meeting at 6:00 p.m. in the Rose Room. Contact Patrick Dail at lpatrickdail@gmail.com.

Mid-Week Boost at 7:00 p.m. in the Thurman Room. Contact Aris Peguero at drarisp@aol.com .

Thursday, September 30

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

   

FPC Choir Rehearsal, Thursday evening at 7:00 p.m. Please contact Music Minister Amy Neuner at aneuner@verizon.net for info about the choir.

Saturday, October 2

Coping With Job Loss and Job Search now with two sessions on Saturdays, "Job Loss Grief" (9:45-11am) and "Beyond the Grief to Hitting the Pavement" (11am-12:15pm) in the Thurman room. For more information and details, see http://www.meetup.com/Coping-With-Job-Loss/ and/or contact group leader, Tonya Deniz, at cwjl@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, 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.