From the Pastor
Wednesday Early
For nearly two thousand years, Christians have worshipped on Sundays. So I was surprised when I arrived at Brick Church four years ago to discover that there was a Wednesday morning service of worship in addition to Sunday mornings. And for two thousand years, Christians have been worshipping at a civilized morning hour, say 11:00 – perhaps 10:00 or 9:00 at the earliest. So I was even more surprised to discover that the Wednesday service was scheduled for 7:30 a.m.!

I have now come to treasure our Wednesday morning worship tradition. The purpose of this From the Pastor essay is simply to invite you to join us. Attendance has grown in recent years. We often have thirty people present – some are members who will also be in worship on Sunday while others are people unable to attend our Sunday morning services. Some are empty-nesters, some are singles, and some are young parents. Some are retired, some are on their way to the office, and indeed some attend with their children before morning school drop off.

We worship in the beautiful and intimate Chapel of the Reformed Faith next to our Sanctuary on Park Avenue. We begin at 7:30 a.m. and end at 8:00 a.m. sharp. The Sacrament of Holy Communion is served, hymns are sung (lustily in the superb acoustics), scripture is read, and a brief meditation offered by one of our pastors or seminary students. A light breakfast is served afterwards for those who wish to stay (competitively priced at $1!)

I invite you to join us for worship in the middle of the week, early in the morning. Yes, I know that it is Wednesday, and I know 7:30 is early, but I promise you, it is a most nourishing place to start your day or stop for a rest during the middle of the week.—Michael L. Lindvall

Stewardship Campaign 2007: Lift High the Cross
Brick Church members have received the 2007 Stewardship letter from Pastor Michael Lindvall and are responding with our Congregation’s traditional generosity. Many members brought forward their pledges on Pledge Dedication Sunday, November 19, and pledges continue to come in by the day.

This is a particularly important Stewardship year, and the Brick Church community is relying on your generosity and love. The Stewardship Committee has set a pledge goal of $2,300,000 and correspondingly asks each of you to increase your pledge this year by at least 15%.

As you may remember from prior years, our Church has been forced to dip into endowment monies to cover recurring budget gaps. The Stewardship Committee and the Trustees seek to stabilize our financial health with this year’s campaign goal.

Despite the care taken with all expenditures across the budget, continued financial pressure occurs as we try to accommodate the many needs of the Brick community. This year the Church must address rising energy and pension costs, the addition of one new staff member to help with Sunday School and youth programs, the resumption of our traditional level of giving to mission outreach, and the reduction in the depletion of our endowment fund.

With your support we can reach this year’s very important goals. The Church leadership (the Session, Trustees and Deacons) has risen together to make leadership pledges in the first days of this campaign.

While the pre-campaign among Church officers was not complete as of this printing, early results indicated that Church leaders have personally embraced this significant challenge with tremendous enthusiasm, posting an average pledge increase in excess of 20%.

Your generosity will help to maintain the active, loving, and generous spirit that exemplifies our Brick Church 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 return your pledge. Thank you for your generosity.

–The 2007 Stewardship Committee

Tell Us About Your Time and Talents
In your Stewardship mailing this year, you received a Time and Talent Form. This new form will help you explore different ways you can be involved in the life of Brick Church, and it will help the church learn about what you’d like to do. We encourage you to take a few minutes to fill out the form and return it to the church office or with your Stewardship pledge. The more we find ways to serve each other, the closer we grow in our faithfulness to God. Additional forms are available online, at our website, and at the front desk. If you have any questions please contact Tanisha Carrell at 212-289-4400 ext. 230.

CCOC Grant to Search and Care
As part of the Brick Church’s Capital Campaign Outreach program, the Search and Care agency received a grant of $100,000 to hire an additional social worker. Founded in 1972, Search and Care is a not-for-profit, non-sectarian agency serving the elderly on the Upper East Side of Manhattan (from East 86th to East 96th Streets from the East River to Central Park). Search and Care helps frail, isolated older people to live safely and independently in their own homes.

Through Care Management, homebound or semi-homebound clients receive services coordinated by trained social workers, assisted by volunteers and student interns. Care Managers visit clients at home, assess their needs, and provide information/referrals, and counseling services. These services might include crisis intervention, help with benefits/entitlements, arranging Meals on Wheels, periodic monitoring, bill paying and budgeting assistance, emergency financial support grants, homecare and transportation arrangements, and companionship, among others.

Probably most essential to isolated, “at-risk” clients, Search and Care functions as a substitute family. One client, Mr. F., needed that kind of support after he was hospitalized and transferred to a nursing home for short term physical therapy rehabilitation. After making good progress, he contracted an infection that made continued therapy impossible. As a result, Medicare discontinued his nursing home coverage. No longer receiving physical therapy, and responsible for nursing home bills, Mr. F. wanted to go home and be with his beloved cat, Gigi. Through the efforts of his care manager, Mr. F. is now living safely at home. Search and Care arranged for 24-hour private home-care, applied for a grant to cover homecare costs until Medicaid is approved, arranged for medical coverage by a visiting physician, and installed an emergency response system. Perhaps more important for Mr. F., Search and Care looked after Gigi during his rehab.

To reach more at-risk clients like Mr. F and make zip code 10128 more elder friendly, Search and Care plans to expand outreach efforts with new community partners. The Brick Church’s capital campaign grant is a major addition to its efforts. For more information about these outreach initiatives or any of Search and Care’s no fee services, please call the Outreach Social Worker, Julie Chapnick, at 212-289-5300 ext. 202 or visit www.searchandcare.org.

Share Christmas Joy: Volunteer At Deacon Outreach Party on Dec. 9
The Annual Deacon Outreach Christmas Party (formerly known as the Rosie and Harry’s Christmas Party) is a wonderful opportunity for you and your family to share the joy of Christmas with the families of those in need. This year the Deacon Outreach Christmas party will host families from the Women’s Prison Association at The Brick Church on Saturday, December 9, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

The Women’s Prison Association has received Brick Church grants for many years. This past year, the Session pledged $100,000 from Capital Campaign monies for a down payment on the purchase of a group home.

The party not only allows Brick Church and WPA children to have a good time together, but also provides gifts for WPA parents and children to exchange on Christmas morning. During the event, each child and parent “shop” through the malls that have been lovingly arranged by Brick volunteers, who also wrap the presents so that each family leaves all ready for Christmas morning.

While families wait to shop, Brick Church volunteers staff activity tables, play games with the children, decorate live Christmas trees, or cook lunch. We encourage Brick Church children (suggested age 3 years and up) to come and play. Older children can help with an activity. There is plenty of fun, games and Christmas spirit.

You can help in two ways: by donating gifts for WPA families and by volunteering your time. Adult gifts include hats, gloves, scarves, perfume, stationery, pens and journals. Gifts for children (mostly ages 5 through 18) could include toys, games, sports equipment, DVDs, etc. Gifts should be left unwrapped in the designated boxes in the Parish House.

Volunteers are welcome on Friday, December 8, to help set up the ‘shopping malls’ and decorate Watson Hall. And of course we will need lots of folks to help out at the party on Saturday, December 9. If you would like to volunteer, please call or email me, Stacie Kallenberg or Erin Kane. Whatever way you choose to help, it will be greatly appreciated!
Maria de’Rossi (dernyc@aol.com or 212-427-9447);
Stacie Kallenberg (staciekallenberg@aol.com or 212-861-2125;
Erin Kane (erinekane@aol.com or 212-996-3573)

Celebration Series Finale:
Theodore Wardlaw, Austin Presbyterian Seminary
Over the past year, ten visiting seminary presidents have participated with us in worship as part of our ongoing celebration of the life, reach and mission of the Brick Presbyterian Church. Our Celebration Pulpit Series concludes December 17, when we will be honored to host Dr. Theodore Wardlaw of Austin Presbyterian Seminary.

Dr. Wardlaw became the ninth president of Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary in 2002, coming to Austin from Atlanta, Georgia, where he served as pastor of Central Presbyterian Church from 1991-2002. Previously, he served the Setauket Presbyterian Church in Setauket, Long Island, New York; Grand Avenue Presbyterian Church, Sherman, Texas; and Germantown Presbyterian Church, Germantown, Tennessee.

At Austin, Dr. Wardlaw heads a faculty of twenty-seven scholars representing a dozen different disciplines. Beyond Austin, he has served the larger church with distinction -- including as moderator of the Presbytery of Greater Atlanta and commissioner to the 213th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) where he chaired the committee on church polity. He is a member of the Pastors Working Group of the Louisville Institute; former editor-at-large of the Presbyterian Outlook; and member of the board for the Journal of Reformed Liturgy and Music.

He received an S.T.M. (Master of Sacred Theology) from Yale University Divinity School and a D.Min. from Union Theological Seminary in Richmond, Virginia.

He and his wife, Kay Bryant, have two children.

Please join us in welcoming Dr. Wardlaw and his wife to The Brick Church at a wine and cheese reception on Saturday, December 16 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the Parish House Living Room.

Candlelight Carol Service: Sunday, December 17 at 4:00 p.m.
On Sunday afternoon, December 17, at 4:00 p.m., join us in the candlelit elegance of The Brick Church’s sanctuary for our annual lessons and carols service featuring the professional voices of the Brick Church Choir under the direction of Keith S. Toth. Organist Dr. John B. Herrington III will accompany the choir and play seasonal music on our renowned Casavant Frères organ. You will not want to miss this special musical event, a Brick Church tradition which has delighted so many for decades. Admission is free. Childcare is available. For additional information call Keith at ext. 231 or e-mail him at ktoth@brickchurch.org.

There’s No Place Like Holmes:
The Brick Church Fall Retreat 2006
The rustling of the leaves under foot. The wind in the trees. A peaceful walk on the path. A relaxing morning cup of coffee overlooking the hillside with multiple shades of color. These were images for many at the Brick Church retreat at the Holmes Presbyterian Retreat Center in Holmes, NY, October 27-29. This first retreat for Brick was a wonderful success. Extending the “Be Thou My Vision” theme into the outdoors, church members engaged in a different experience of community and worship.

Our worship space was surrounded on all sides by floor-to-ceiling windows that beckoned nature to be present with us. We celebrated Holy Communion during worship on Sunday and welcomed the children and youth to assist in leading prayers.

Our accommodations were simple and clean, with a room for each family and a shared meal space whose windows gave a view of the mountains and fall colors. Living in community with spaces where we could retreat for quiet time allowed us to enjoy others’ company and to be alone when we needed to be.

The Brick Church welcomed Greg and Laura Cootsona from Chico, California, to lead the adult group sessions. The focus was to help members identify the things in their lives that are distractions. Members then discussed how to say “No” to those distractions, in order to say “Yes” to what God is calling them to do with their gifts and talents. During the sessions we explored God’s call through themes including spiritual gifts and relationships.

The group enjoyed creative hands-on activities: constructing a giant 6-foot mobile, strung with items from nature and colorful handmade creations; group Pictionary; competitive pumpkin-decorating. Even the steady downpour on Saturday could not keep us quiet! When the rain stopped, families enjoyed walking outside or relaxing together. The children made a quilt for our worship space, gathered leaves for window pictures, and played musical instruments and sang during music time.

We also shared our unique gifts and talents with the first run of Brick’s own talent and quirk show. Did you know that the Reverend Michael Lindvall has double-jointed thumbs and that he can recite German poetry? Believe it when you hear that people at Brick Church have interesting talents!

If you were there, you experienced opportunities to get to know others from the Brick Church community in a relaxed setting. You engaged in deep conversation. You laughed hard with new friends. You saw God at work in others and in our worship leaders. You discovered that all ages were included and celebrated: young children made new friends, families had time to spend together, and adults experienced community with one another. If you were at this year’s Brick Church Retreat at Holmes, you left knowing that you had been in the presence of God and in blessed community, and you just can’t wait to return to Holmes next year.
–Emily Krause, Seminary Intern

Film and Faith: Seeing and Believing in the Cinema
10:00 a.m., Living Room
Films usually shown at 3:00 p.m. on the day of the discussion
For many people, their primary religious and spiritual experiences come through the silver screen. Come hear pastors and seminarians discuss contemporary films that explore themes of redemption, salvation, hope, and faith. Then come eat popcorn with your friends and watch the full-length film together. Please note: two of the films will be child friendly.

The Chronicles of Narnia
Sunday, 12/3 at 10:00 a.m.: Presentation by Seminarian Rachel Pedersen.
Friday, 12/8 at 6:45 p.m.: Full-length film showing and popcorn with friends.

Millions
Sunday, 12/10 at 10:00 a.m.: Presentation by Seminarian Emily Krause.
Sunday, 12/10 at 3:00 p.m.: Full-length film showing and popcorn with friends.

The Merchant of Venice
Sunday, 12/17 at 10:00 a.m.: Presentation by Seminarian Rick Bold.
Sunday, 12/17 at 3:00 p.m.: Full-length film showing and popcorn with friends.

The Mission
Sunday, 1/7 at 10:00 a.m.: Presentation by the Rev. Christy Lang.
Sunday, 1/7 at 3:00 p.m.: Full-length film showing and popcorn with friends.

Adult Bible Study – The Gospel of Luke
Sundays, 10:00 a.m., Anderson Library
The Brick Church is privileged to welcome seminarian Rick Bold (rbold@brickchurch.org) as he leads Sunday morning Bible study. Rick is a gifted teacher and discussion leader. This fall and winter, he is taking us through the Gospel of Luke. Come learn more about and discuss this rich, highly literary account of Jesus’ life. This class is also an excellent way to gain experience in how to read, interpret, and think theologically about Scripture. All are welcome, and you do not need to have been present the week before in order to start coming. Please bring friends!

Topics and Texts for December Bible Studies:

December 10: Participating in the Kingdom of God (Luke 18:15-43)

December 17: Road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-43)

December 24: Christmas Eve—No Bible Study

December 31: New Year’s Eve—No Bible Study

Christmas Pageant
Children of The Brick Church are invited to celebrate Advent and Christmas by participating in the 2006 Brick Church Christmas Pageant. This is an opportunity for children to offer worship leadership in a sacred and festive event. Because so many children are involved in this program, we ask parents to sign up as volunteers to help with preparation and production. Our scheduled rehearsals help kids feel confident in their roles as leaders in the Pageant, and their attendance is important.

Pageant Schedule (see below)
Information and registration forms were sent out in the mail in October and were due to Caitlin Sparks by Sunday, November 26. We look forward to spending time with the children of the Brick Church at this year’s Christmas Pageant. Thank you for your help and support in making this a memorable experience for the children and the whole congregation.

Grace and Peace,
Christy Lang, Associate Pastor of Education and Discipleship
Amanda Smith, Director of Children’s Music Ministries

Advent Creche Lighting
Sunday, December 3 at 4:30 p.m., The Sanctuary
All are invited to the Sanctuary for the annual Creche Lighting service. This year, we will talk about the meaning of Advent, and all families will receive Advent calendars for use throughout the season. We will move together from the Sanctuary to the Garden to light up our beautiful nativity scene and to sing an Advent carol. All are welcome, and afterward we move to our church potluck and the tree-lighting service on Park Avenue. Questions? Contact Christy Lang.

Christmas Storytelling Party
Thursday, December 7, 4:00 p.m., The Living Room
Young children and their parents are invited to the annual Christmas Storytelling Party in the Living Room. Amanda Smith leads music on her guitar, and some expert storytellers in the congregation help the children learn the Christmas story. We finish with a light snack. The storytelling party lasts about one hour. Questions? Contact Christy Lang.

Friday Night Dinner Program for Brick Church Youth
The Brick Church hosts a meal every Friday evening for residents of the 81st St. Coalition for Shelter community. Brick Church youth in 8th-12th grades have opportunities to cook together, meet these friends of Brick Church, and to receive community service credit. Pastor Christy Lang and other adults help the youth to prepare the meal in Watson Hall Kitchen. The December youth nights for FNDP are Friday, December 1 and 15. Please arrive at 5:00 p.m. in Watson Hall. We are finished by 7:45 p.m.

Youth Scripture Readers Needed
Children and youth in the 3rd grade and up are invited to serve as Scripture readers on Family Sundays. Parents of readers will receive the biblical text in advance via e-mail so that the readers can prepare at home. If your child is comfortable reading aloud and is interested in leading worship in this way, please e-mail Thea Luria, Assistant to the Senior Minister, at tluria@brickchurch.org and include the name, age, and grade of your reader.

Pioneers Meet Next on January 21
If you are a 5th or 6th grade student, plan ahead to join the Brick Church Pioneers for their second event on January 21, when they will gather from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at The Brick Church for 2 hours of fun, fellowship, dinner, and a service project. Friends are always invited. The total charge for the season of 5 events is $75 per student. If your 5th or 6th grade student brings a friend who is not from Brick Church, the cost for the friend is only $10. You should have received a registration form in the mail. If you still need a form, please contact Caitlin Sparks. You may drop registrations off at the church or bring them to an event. Your friends need forms, too. We hope to see you there! Questions? Contact Preston Davis or Christy Lang.

7th Grade Youth Group To Meet On January 21
7th grade students are invited to join the Brick Church 7th grade youth group! They 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. Friends from school and the neighborhood are always invited. The total charge for the season of 5 events is $75 per student. If your 7th grade student brings a friend who is not from Brick Church, the cost for the friend is only $10. You should have received registration forms in the mail. If you have not received them, please contact Caitlin Sparks. You may drop registrations off at the church or bring them to an event. We hope to see your 7th grade student there! Questions? Contact Christy Lang.

Confirmation Class Will Resume in January
Confirmation Class is on break for the month of December and will resume on January 7. Confirmation students need to do 10 hours of Community Service for class. They can fulfill this requirement by 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. Please contact Christy Lang with questions.

Sunday School December Schedule

Women’s Association
Very Merry Tea & Sherry
Christmas spirit overflows at the Very Merry Christmas Tea & Sherry, sponsored by the Women’s Association. This annual event, hosted again this year by Terri Lindvall, is one of the warmest, most spirited fellowship events of the year. This season’s party takes place Thursday, December 14, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m.at the Lindvall’s home. The holidays are busy, so mark your calendars: come and make new friends, or just stop by to say hello and toast the holidays with us. Watch for your invitation! If you’d like to spread good cheer by helping out with party planning or support, contact one of the fellowship co-chairs, Julia Dunn, Elizabeth Porteous, or Paige Rustum or the Women’s Association office.

Better than Fair
This year’s Fair, the 63rd such Fair sponsored by the Women’s Association in the tradition of community giving and fellowship, was an enormous success. Thanks for doing your holiday shopping for a good cause! And many, thanks to the 2006 Fair Chairs – Alison Brown, Leslie Weiss, Maria Wildermuth, and Stephanie Wu – and to all the many volunteers and fair-goers who made this year’s event a huge success!

Celebrating a Season of Fellowship
Dinner Dance February 9th
Help end winter on a high note. Join the final event of our Fair season, the Dinner Dance and Silent Auction, for an evening of celebration.Watch for your invitation! This year’s Dinner Dance will be held February 9 at the magnificent Metropolitan Club. Co-chairs Jackie Hennessey, Tracey Huff and Tracy Warner are planning a special evening…if you want to help, let them know. Remember, too, beyond the dinner, dancing and music, the Silent Auction adds an element of fun... and provides a meaningful way to contribute to the community. The proceeds from the Silent Auction go to the Women’s Association Outreach Program.

Want to volunteer on Sundays at Brick?
One of perhaps the most significant ways to be involved in the Women’s Association is through participation on the Chancel committee. Chancel helps prepare communion on the first Sunday of every month. If you can give an hour or so on just 1-2 Sundays over the course of a year to set up the communion table, help prepare communion for service, and clean up – please contact Pam Ferguson, Mimi Hah, Ann Darmstaetter or Jayne Napier or contact the Women’s Association office.

PrimeTimers
Caroling at the DeWitt Nursing Home
On Sunday, December 10 at 4:00 p.m., PrimeTimers will go caroling through the halls of the DeWitt Nursing Home on 79th Street near Third Avenue. This is your chance to bring holiday joy into the lives of those who may feel lonely and forgotten. In prior years, DeWitt residents have joined in with great enthusiasm. Quality voices are not required, and song sheets will be provided. After the caroling, we’ll rendezvous at an inexpensive eatery in the neighborhood. See the flyer for more details. Questions? Ask Gayle Johnson (212-877-6214 or Gaylecliff@aol.com).

Book Club December Selection
The Brick Church Book Club will read de Kooning by Mark Stevens and Annalyn Swan for their December meeting. The discussion will be hosted by Helen Chapman at 8:00 p.m. on Monday, December 4. Please RSVP to Helen at 212-369-4272.

Membership Meetings in January
Five times a year, The Brick Church hosts a series of Membership Meetings where neighbors, visitors and members can learn about The Christian Faith, The Presbyterian Tradition and the history of Brick Church. We welcome all who are interested to join one or all of these meetings. By participating in this series, you are by no means expected to seek membership at The Brick Church. We encourage members to join these sessions as well, to demonstrate to visitors that we are a faith community, constantly seeking educational, spiritual and social nourishment.

The next series of classes will take place in January. To accommodate busy schedules, meetings on The Christian Faith and The Presbyterian Tradition are held on both Thursday evenings and weekends.

Sessions on The Christian Faith and The Presbyterian Tradition provide excellent grounding in our basic beliefs, traditions and differences. The Pastors lead these discussions in an informal environment. A Saturday orientation, The Meaning of Membership, led by the Senior Pastor and members of the congregation, focuses on The Brick Church and provides an overview of our many activities, events, and programs. Attendance at all three classes is required for membership.

Please contact Tanisha Carrell (212-289-4400, ext. 230) if you plan to attend, or simply for more information. Childcare is available for all the Sunday meetings and upon request for the Saturday orientation.

Schedule of Meetings
The Christian Faith
Thursday, January 18 at 6:45 p.m. or Sunday, January 21 at 9:50 a.m.

The Presbyterian Tradition
Thursday, January 25 at 6:45 p.m. or Saturday, January 27 at 12:00 p.m.

The Meaning of Membership
Saturday, January 27 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Received into Membership
Sunday, January 28 at 11:00 a.m.