From the Pastor
The hatred and violence that beset the Holy Land present a particularly harsh contrast to serene nativity scenes as we Christians prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus, the Prince of Peace. The landscape that we read about in scripture and sing about in carols, (“All is calm, all is bright…” “O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie.”) compares painfully with the present reality of Bethlehem: razor-wire fences, sub-machine guns, and raw terror.
In the last half-century since the founding of the modern State of Israel, Presbyterians, as well as most all other Christians, have struggled to find ways to foster peace in this part of the world so central to the three great monotheistic faiths. We have unequivocally affirmed the “right of Israel to exist within secure borders.” Our General Assembly has urged “a return to the principle of faithful devotion to the welfare, needs, and rights of both the Jewish and Arab peoples,” and time and again, has “urged a sustainable peace between Israelis and Palestinians.”
A year-and-a-half ago, the 216th General Assembly took a very controversial step when it initiated a process to explore financial divestment of church holdings in companies whose actions or product were deemed to harm Jews, Palestinians, or the peace process itself. Though no divestment has taken place, this move caused genuine distress in the American Jewish community and has damaged the relationship between Presbyterians and Jews.
Several weeks later, the Brick Church Session appointed a Task Force to review these matters. This small group did substantial historical and theological study and offered a report which the Session adopted unanimously. Accordingly, our Session “respectfully dissented” from the use of divestment as a strategy in this situation. Divestment not only offers no practical prospect of furthering peace, but also adversely affects our relationship with our Jewish neighbors.
More recently, our Session has worked to address these concerns in real-life ways. Several elders and I have been active in formal conversations with Jewish groups here in New York. At a special meeting in November, the Session voted to submit a motion to the Presbytery of New York City asking our Presbytery to present an overture to the 217th General Assembly meeting this coming summer. (I realize that this process sounds complicated, but that is how Presbyterian governance works, and it actually works pretty well.) The overture urges “…. appropriate bodies within the Presbyterian Church (USA) to actively foster peace, reconciliation, and community development between Israelis and Palestinians… This should involve the intentional use of funds of the (national) church in two ways…: first, to explore ways to partner non-governmental organizations, and to support church–related mission efforts, that seek to promote the peaceful and productive living together of Jewish, Christian, and Muslim Israelis and Palestinians; and second, to support ways to invest in for-profit enterprises that actively engender peaceful cooperation…..”
Even though this overture does not necessarily preclude divestment, the hope is that it will replace divestment as a strategy with a better strategy of “positive investment.” If you would like to review a copy of the suggested overture, please phone the church at 212-289-4400. I compliment our Session and especially the elders who worked so thoughtfully and prayerfully to address these issues and explore a fresh avenue that might point toward some glimpse of peace in the land of the Prince of Peace.
—Michael Lindvall
Adult Education Winter Retreat
Mark your calendars now for an educational retreat on Friday evening, January 20, 2006 and Saturday morning, January 21. Pastors Michael Lindvall and Christy Lang will teach a “Walk through the Bible.” If you have never read the Bible carefully or wish to gain a more coherent understanding of Bible’s story, come join us for this informative class. Details will be available soon.
Our beloved Candlelight Carol Service returns to Brick Church on Sunday afternoon, December 11 at 4:00 p.m. This will be the first Candlelight Carol Service in our restored Sanctuary and with our new Casavant organ. The service will feature carols old and new sung by our Chancel Choir and soloists under the direction of Minister of Music Keith S. Toth and accompanied by organist Dr. John B. Herrington III. Admission is free for this service. Please plan to attend this Brick Church Christmas tradition which has delighted so many for decades. For additional information contact Keith S. Toth at ext. 231 or ktoth@brickchurch.org.
In Others’ Hands, a planning and resource guide for putting your affairs in order, has been printed by The Brick Church. This booklet is designed to help people prepare for serious health problems and the end of life in practical ways.
It has several pages of questions to help the user locate in one convenient place important personal information needed during health emergencies or after death. This information ranges from details of health insurance, financial account and Social Security numbers to emergency telephone numbers, names of doctors and lawyers, and location of wills and safe deposit boxes.
The booklet answers questions about wills, living trusts, long term care insurance, powers of attorney, health care proxies, and living wills. It also explains how to make funeral, memorial service, cremation and burial arrangements. A final section helps with the planning of a funeral or memorial service.
A copy of In Others’ Hands may be obtained by calling Helen Phillips. If you have questions about the topics covered by the booklet, please ask any pastor or member of the Planned Giving Committee (Stewart Clifford, William Eakins, Carole Foxley, William King, Peggy Raub and Valerie Mason).
Brick Presbyterian Church members have received the 2006 Stewardship letter from Pastor Michael Lindvall and responded generously. Many members brought their pledges on Pledge Dedication Sunday, November 20. Others had mailed their pledge cards in advance. Additional pledges are still coming in. These pledges are a grateful response to God’s gifts in our lives and, in many cases, reflect a generous increased financial commitment to our ministry and programs.
Reopening our doors – and keeping them open wide – is the theme of this year’s stewardship campaign. With your support, we can surpass our $1.9 million goal and increase participation in the campaign to 100%. Your participation is a vital part of your role as an active church member.
Please remember that The Brick Church has only two sources of income: your pledged gifts and endowment income. Unfortunately, achieving our stewardship goal will still not eliminate our budget deficit. For some years, our Church has run an unsustainable operating deficit which requires an unhealthy drawdown of our endowment to balance income and expenses. This practice is eroding our Church’s financial foundation.
Your generosity helps us to maintain the active, loving, and generous spirit that exemplifies the Brick Church Community. We hope that as our resources grow, we can expand church programs both inside and outside our community. Giving to the work of our church is more than a duty; it is a great joy. If you have not done so already, please help us by returning your pledge.
—The Stewardship Committee
New York Times Hearts
Ben van Oosten
For the inaugural recital on our new Casavant organ on Monday, November 7, Ben van Oosten played a program of French 19th and 20th century music to a full and enthusiastic house.
New York Times reviewer Anne Midgette wrote on November 9, “The event was a brilliant balance between hugeness and restraint. Hugeness because the new organ, with 6,288 pipes (more even than the tremendous Mander organ at the Church of St. Ignatius Loyola, several blocks south on Park Avenue) and 118 ranks, can create thundering walls of sound. Restraint because Mr. van Oosten, a gifted Dutch player who does not often perform in America, was able to scale all that size down into awesome stage whispers rendered all the more powerful by the implicit size of the breath that was bated.”
The program began with Marcel Dupre’s Sinfonia from Cantata No. 29, “ringing out in happy golden tones,” followed by Cesar Franck’s Fantaisie in A and Dupre’s “Variations sur un Noel,” which “showed off all the different sounds the organ could make.”
The last selection was Charles-Marie Widor’s Fifth Symphony, “an authoritative and somewhat dark work on a scale that matched the organ’s own, building to a poignant cloud of an adagio and ending with a toccata that sent tendrils of music reverberating around the room in a flurry of brilliant sound.”
Mark January 24, 2006 on your calendar now for the joint recital of Quebec organists Jean-Guy Proulx and Jacquelin Rochette.
On Sunday, December 11, our guest preacher will be Philip W. Butin, Professor of Theology and President of the San Francisco Theological Seminary. In addition to hearing Dr. Butin preach, you can meet him at two events during the weekend. You are invited to an informal wine and cheese reception in the Living Room of the Parish House on Saturday evening and after worship to “Second Hour,” a time for conversation and questions with refreshments.
Philip W. Butin is President of the San Francisco Theological Seminary and Professor of Theology there. His 25 years of ministry began with 10 years in Christian Education and youth ministry in Kansas, Iowa, and Southern California. As a Presbyterian minister, he served for 7 years as Co-Pastor (with his wife, Jan) of the Oxford and Nutbush Presbyterian Churches in North Carolina, then for almost 9 years as pastor of the growing, multicultural Shepherd of the Valley Presbyterian Church in Albuquerque, NM. He holds the Ph.D. in Christian Theology from Duke University. He is the author of Revelation, Redemption, and Response: Calvin’s Trinitarian Understanding of the Divine-Human Relationship (Oxford University Press, 1995) and The Trinity (Geneva Press, 2001). He is also the author of many published chapters and articles in theology, church history, and worship.
Get Your Brick Church Note Cards Now
In time for Christmas giving or for your own use, the first Brick Church note cards are available for sale. The cover reproduces a full-color painting of the restored sanctuary by artist Theodore Colebrook. A box of eight cards and envelopes costs $12. Look for them at Coffee Hours and at the Fair.
The Friday Night Dinner Program for Youth
Date for this month: December 2.
Join high school and 8th grade youth as we cook and serve dinner to people who live at Neighborhood Coalition for Shelter’s 81st Street residence. We have a great time together and help people in an important way. Youth can receive Community Service credit for volunteering with the Friday Night Dinner Program.
Since we have only one dinner this month, both High School and 8th grade students are invited to come on December 2 to serve. Please meet at 5:00 p.m. in the Watson Hall Kitchen. We will be finished by 8:00 p.m.
Sunday Church School
Sunday Church School continues in December for Brick Church kids. As we enter Advent, children will study the stories of the birth of Christ.
5th and 6th Grade Pioneers Meet Next On January 8
5th and 6th grade students are invited to join the Brick Church Pioneers. The Pioneers gather on designated Sundays from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at The Brick Church for 2 hours of fun, fellowship, dinner, and a service project. Led by Coach Rice of St. Bernard’s fame, the Pioneers play games and then say a prayer and eat dinner at 6:00 p.m. They then complete a service project together. The evening always closes with a hilarious game.
Cost for Pioneers. The total charge for the season of 6 events is $75 per student. If you would like to pay at the door for a single event, the cost is $15 per event. If you bring a friend who is not from Brick Church, the cost for the friend is only $10.
Pioneers Chaperones Needed. Our chaperones are parents who serve on the Pioneers Committee, as well as two other parents of Pioneer students per event. When you register your 5th or 6th grade student, you agree to come and chaperone at least twice during the year. It’s great fun!
2006 Pioneers Schedule. All events occur from 5:00-7:00 p.m. in Watson Hall, with check-in and payment in the Garden Room. The Pioneers will meet on January 8, February 12, March 5, and May 7.
Signing Up for Pioneers. If you need a registration form, please contact Caitlin Sparks. You may drop forms off at the church or bring them to an event. Your friends need forms, too.
We hope to see you there!
7th-8th Grade Social Events
7th and 8th grade youth will be invited to join in social activities together this year. Keep your eyes open for Brick Church events for this age group.
Confirmation Class Meets on December 4
Confirmation Class has begun for a very lively, intelligent group of 8th grade students. In November we talked about the process of Confirmation and about God the Creator, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. Our December 4 class (12:30 - 2:30 p.m.) will cover Scripture in the Presbyterian Church. We are also blessed to have a group of dedicated Confirmation Sponsors in class with us, facilitating discussion and building relationships with students.
Confirmation students need to do 10 hours of Community Service for class. They can fulfill this requirement by volunteering with Sunday School, helping with the Friday Night Dinner Program, joining the Order of St. Paul (led by Ellsworth Stanton), or helping out at church or in the city in other ways.
Children’s Christmas Story Party
Children age 5 and younger and their parents are invited to come to the 3rd Floor Living Room of The Brick Church on Thursday, December 8 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. for a Christmas Story Party. At the party, we tell the Christmas story (and act some of it out!), and we sing carols and have Christmas fun. This is a wonderful Brick Church tradition, and we look forward to seeing you and your young children there. Questions? Contact Associate Pastor Christy Lang.
6th-12th Grade Youth Ice Skating Party on January 8
Youth from the Brick Church will join youth from other churches in our neighborhood and go ice skating on the afternoon of January 8. Come have fun with your friends! More information about this event will arrive in the mail.
Members, Neighbors Donate 25 Pints of Blood
The Deacons’ fall blood drive was held on Sunday, October 23 in Watson Hall.
This fall’s effort was marked by a growing number of walk-ins, which we have attributed to the great weather that day as well as to marketing in the neighborhood. The drive collected a total of 25 pints.
As the photo shows, Kent McKamy and Bill Eakins were among the volunteers.
While every pint is appreciated, results were well below our historic highs. New donor restrictions have hit our congregation of 1,200 hard. Many members have lived in the UK for extended periods of time, and are disqualified from donating because of concerns about Mad Cow disease. There is no effective way to screen blood for this disease.
One particularly good reason to continue donating is to assist 16-year old Carina Tam, a junior at Marymount School who has been diagnosed with cancer and hospitalized at Memorial Sloan Kettering. In addition to her cancer, Carina had an accident which has led to internal bleeding. As a result of the cancer and the accident, Carina needs 6 - 8 fresh units of platelets each day. Members are directing platelet donations to Carina. If you are interested in donating platelets for Carina, which can be done every three days, please contact Marion Novack at Memorial Sloan Kettering at 212-639-8177 for details. Our next blood drive will be held in February. We look forward to seeing all of you then.
Rosie and Harry’s Needs Computers and Trainers
Many of us know Rosie and Harry’s Place as the residence for formerly homeless families in transition located on 124th Street, or as the guests at our annual Children’s Christmas Party and other events, or as the recipients of Easter baskets. But there is also an educational program that teaches vital skills and helps ease the often-difficult transition to the work force.
This fall we will offer computer-training classes for the adults at Rosie and Harry’s, particularly the mothers who have had little education or technical training. You can be a part of this program by donating used computers or your time.
We need computers with the requirements listed below. If you would like to donate a computer or volunteer, please contact Christopher Randall at work, 212-534-0707. If you wish, Rosie & Harry’s staff can pick up your computer.
Computer Requirements:
- System: Windows 98 (software not required)
- Type: IBM Compatible
- RAM: minimum of 32 RAM
- Processor: Minimum of 1 GB
- Printers: Compatible with the above
Yorkville Common Pantry Food of the Month
Treats for December
Help make December a little sweeter at the Yorkville Common Pantry by donating cookie, brownie or cake mixes. Just place them in the green Yorkville Common Pantry collection box in the stairwell near the Anderson Library.
Many thanks for your generous donations to the Fall Harvest Food Drive, which yielded 170 bags of food. We must credit the rousing sermon on October 23 by The Rev. Barry Dunsmore from St.. Columba’s Church in London for spurring donations. He reminded us emphatically of the command to love our neighbors as ourselves. After the sermon, children handed out empty food bags to be filled and returned. On October 30, Sunday School classes sorted the donated food, the YCP collected it, and the bags will be reused by the Cooks Who Care ministry.
To volunteer in person at the Pantry, come to 8 East 109th Street on Thursdays from 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. or Saturdays from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
For more information call Yorkville Common Pantry Deacons, Willie Carter at 212-534-0425 or Beth Green at 212-427-2834.
Advent Potluck Supper and Carol Sing
On Sunday, December 4, the Advent Potluck Supper returns to Watson Hall. Members and guests will enjoy great food and fellowship before the annual lighting of the Christmas trees on Park Avenue. For decades, The Brick Church has thrown the switch that lights the avenue for the holidays. The evening begins at 4:30 p.m. with a youth-led worship service in the sanctuary and crèche lighting in the garden.
Here’s how the Potluck Supper works. If your last name begins with a letter from A - H, bring an entrée; from I - P, salad; and from Q-Z, dessert. Bring portions sufficient for twice the number of people in your party, and drop the food off on December 4 between 10:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.
The potluck supper in Watson Hall begins at 5:00 p.m. At 6:15 p.m., we exit to Park Avenue which will be closed to traffic to accommodate the thousands of neighbors who join with us for the community carol sing. Keith Toth will accompany us as we all sing our favorite carols.
Watson Hall has 250 spaces available for this dinner, so reserve your spot quickly. For reservations, please email DSpongberg@SpencerTrask.com or
gladspong@aol.com, or call The Brick Church at 212-289-4400 or Don Spongberg at 212-418-8557.
PrimeTimers
“Get-to-church” Assistance
Need help getting to church? PrimeTimers can make it easier to get to Brick Church if the trip seems hazardous, arduous or difficult. If you’d like an escort, simply call Kent McKamy (646-645-8099) no later than 6 p.m. on the Friday preceding Sunday services. Give Kent your name, address and telephone number, and he’ll contact a PrimeTimer who has volunteered to help members or guests come to Brick Church. On Sunday morning, the volunteer will call to confirm that you feel able to attend. Then he or she will come to your home about ½ hour before services begin and accompany you to services and home again afterward.
Spreading Cheer
On Sunday, December 11, at 4:00 p.m., PrimeTimers will go caroling in the halls of the DeWitt Nursing Home. This is your chance to bring Christmas cheer to those who are often lonely at this time of year. Quality voices are not required, but enthusiasm is. We’ll meet at 4:00 p.m. in the lobby of the DeWitt Nursing Home, 211 East 79th Street. (The lobby phone is 212-879-2449. Song sheets will be provided.
Partaking of Cheer
On Wednesday, December 28, at 6:30 p.m., PrimeTimers who stay in the city for the holidays are invited to share the spirit of the season at an informal supper & get-together at the church. Plan to bring food, since it’s a pot-luck affair. We’ll relax with good vittles and good friends, old and new. A great time is guaranteed. More information will follow as to suggested dishes, etc.
Questions? Ask Gayle Johnson (212-877-6214 or Gaylecliff@aol.com).
Women’s Association
Very Merry Tea & Sherry
This year marks the 5th anniversary of one of our favorite holiday fellowship events – the Very Merry Christmas Tea & Sherry, sponsored by the Women’s Association. This year’s Tea & Sherry will again be hosted by Terri Lindvall at the Lindvalls’ home on Wednesday, December 14 from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. Watch for your invitation. If you are interested in helping on the planning committee, please contact one of the co-chairs: Karen Aotani, Paige Rustum or Stephanie Wu. Please come early or late and join us in wishing each other a Merry Christmas.
The 62nd Fair
The Brick Church Fair was a wonderful success, with lots of holiday shoppers and a festive backdrop. Many thanks to the 2005 Fair Chairs – Alison Brown, Anna Caspersen, Silsbee Philo and Maria Wildermuth, to the Brick community at large, and to all the many volunteers and fair-goers alike who helped make this year’s Fair a memorable event.
Save the Date
The final event of our Fair season is our elegant Dinner Dance and Silent Auction. Mark your calendars: the Dinner Dance takes place on Friday, February 10, 2006 at the beautiful Metropolitan Club. If you’d like to join the committee planning this event, contact Brenda De Paola, Jackie Hennessey or Tracey Huff.
Chancel Needs You
One truly significant way to be involved in the Women’s Association and give back to the church is by participating on the Chancel committee, which prepares communion on the first Sunday of each month. It takes only an hour or so on one or two Sundays over the course of a year. Chancel committee members set up the communion table, help prepare communion elements for service, and clean up afterward. To learn more, please contact Pam Ferguson (pferguson@alger.com), Mimi Hah (mhah@nyc.rr.com), Ann Darmstaetter (darmy124@aol.com) or Jayne Napier (jaynenapier@aol.com). Your help is most appreciated.
The Brick Church Book Club December Selection
The Brick Church Book Club has selected Lolita, by Vladimir Nabokov, for its December reading. Helen Chapman will host the discussion at her home, 1160 Park Avenue, at 8:00 p.m. on Monday, December 5. Please RSVP to Helen at 212-369-4272.
For a pdf version of the December calendar, please click here. [228 kb]