From the Pastor
Ecumenical & Interfaith
Late last year, the Roman Catholic Pontiff traveled to Turkey, an overwhelmingly Muslim nation with an ancient Christian minority. His trip highlighted a distinction that deserves more attention than it generally received in the press coverage of that important journey. It is an important distinction in a world in which religious divisions seem at least as sharp as ever—and often much more dangerous.

Most people use the term “ecumenical” to describe worship, mission work, and dialogue among different kinds of Christians. It is derived from a Greek word often used in the New Testament meaning “the entire inhabited earth.” From the earliest days, God has blessed the church with grand variety. The New Testament church was theologically, liturgically and ethnically diverse from its very founding. The ecumenical impulse has affirmed the truth that, for all this wonderful and often jarring variety, the church of Christ in the “whole inhabited earth” is essentially and spiritually one church.

Over the last century, a great world-wide ecumenical movement has sought to press this agenda, bringing different Protestant traditions, Roman Catholics, and Eastern Orthodox Christians together for worship, common mission effort, and for dialogue—often dialogue that seems to move at a snail’s pace. Many early leaders of this ecumenical movement, which has its roots in the world mission movement of the last century, dreamed of church unification.

Few ecumenists today share such a vision, however. A century into this great movement, the goal is more often to retain the distinctiveness of particular traditions while bringing us closer together through shared worship, mission, and leadership. This vision would move to end petty rivalries and arrogant exclusivism while retaining the unique contributions of each denomination. The agenda of the ecumenical movement is to affirm our essential unity — but not uniformity — in Christ so that we might work together to build up Christ’s Kingdom in the “entire inhabited world.”

The inter-faith movement, as the name implies, casts a net wider than just followers of Christ and includes all who would call themselves “religious.” Indeed, the texture of this commonality gets much rougher: mutual suspicions are livelier and theological differences are infinitely deeper. For example, some religious participants in the inter-faith movement would not affirm belief in God defined as a supreme being. The agenda in this movement is obviously not to press toward any imagined unity, but rather to create trust between people who are likely to continue to disagree and to create contexts where religious people of good will might work together for the common good.

—Michael L. Lindvall

Face to Face/Faith to Faith at Brick:
Can Religion Help Wage Peace, Not War?
A Palestinian teenager named Saleh and an Israeli teenager named Avi are talking about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict on New York Marathon Sunday, November 4, at Brick Church. Saleh and Avi sit face to face as they discuss tough questions: “Who are the terrorists, the Palestinian Freedom Fighters or the Israeli Army?” and “Who is at fault?” These same questions have caused 58 years of war in Israel.

As teenage and adult members of the Brick Church watch, Saleh and Avi discuss divisive issues calmly, using a Face to Face/Faith to Faith (F2F) technique that centers on listening. F2F is a program of Auburn Theological Seminary in partnership with Seeking Common Ground. It is an international youth leadership program that brings Christian, Jewish and Muslim teenagers together.

The yearlong program kicks off with a two-week summer intensive in Putnam County, New York. Teenagers ages 16-18 from different religions and backgrounds learn about each other, practice communication skills, and have fun.

Saleh and Avi became close friends through this program and brought their friendship back to Israel, an environment quite different from the F2F summer camp. Avi brought Saleh to his all-Jewish school, where the class asked Saleh difficult questions such as, “Why don’t we hear any protest from Palestinians who want peace?” Saleh asked the Jewish class, “Why should I leave my home just because I am Arab?”

Although they don’t agree on many issues of the Palestinian and Arab conflict, they agree that listening to the other side and trying to work together is the only way for peaceful co-existence in areas of violence. The Face to Face mission recognizes “the power of the world’s religions as a resource for waging peace, not war.” With more kids like Saleh and Avi who have been through the F2F program and have learned to listen rather than argue, religion can be the source of peace.

—Coleman Crutchfield

Stewardship Campaign 2007: Lift High the Cross
Pledge Dedication Sunday at The Brick Presbyterian Church becomes more of an act of worship each year. On November 19, 2006, all in attendance — longtime members and brand new members alike — brought their commitments to the church and God’s work both within and outside our walls. Over 72% of pledges received to date have increased compared to last year, with most meeting or surpassing the 15% growth challenge. To all who have pledged, thank you for rising so readily to this challenge.

If you have not yet made your 2007 pledge, it is important to do so as soon as possible, remaining mindful of the operating deficit and need to increase over last year by at least 15%.

Please contact Tanisha Carrell with your pledge by phone, 212-289-4400, ext. 230; by fax, 646-672-2198; by email, tcarrell@brickchurch.org; or by sending in your pledge card.

–The 2007 Stewardship Committee

My First Fellowship Lunch
I never knew how energizing a rainy day could be. But a few months ago, during a torrential downpour, I walked into the Parish House living room for an event I had committed to go to (and frankly, was not looking forward to) and the warmth that pervaded the room, despite the weather, is a memory that’s still with me.

Although I’m a fairly active church member and very active in the Women’s Association, I never thought of the fellowship lunches as something that was “my thing.” But I was wrong.

About a dozen women were gathered that day, familiar faces and new ones, young and old, in an atmosphere that was refreshingly casual and very welcoming. Each woman had brought a bite to eat – everything from tea sandwiches thrown together at the last minute (but whoa, who knew chutney could be so good) to potato chips (I will now attend each monthly luncheon!) to a homemade lemon cake that Christie Winmill should be selling at Dean & Deluca. If you were wearing more than jeans or khakis and galoshes, you were overdressed, and the low-key fashion was a nice change of pace for the Upper East Side.

But the best part was the genuine dialogue and collegiality of the women who were there, telling stories and asking questions of each other that were interesting and not in the least superficial. I felt like I was in on some special sorority or secret meeting, lunch with the Ya Ya Sisterhood. But Carol Ann Mercer tells me that each month a variety of women attend, and that’s what makes it special. In fact, I ran into a Brick Church friend on the street about 11:45 that morning, and brought her along. We especially enjoyed talking to Isabel Cunningham (who attends quite frequently) about her life in New York many years ago, her children, and what she enjoys today. And I think she liked talking to us, too!

I highly recommend experiencing your own Fellowship Lunch up close. In 2007 they are on January 10, February 14, March 14, April 11, May 9, June 13 and July 11. You can sign up by contacting the Women’s Association office. Lunch is always at 12:30 p.m. and Oh, don’t forget the potato chips!

—Kerri Devine

Meet Rev. Oscar McCloud, Intern Coordinator
God has presented the Rev. Oscar McCloud with a diverse array of experiences, beginning with his first call to ministry at age 16. Influenced by his childhood home in rural Georgia, Rev. McCloud hoped to become a pastor serving a small rural parish. He attended Warren Wilson College and Berea College, studying psychology and sociology. Living into his call to ministry, he left the South to attend Union Theological Seminary in New York City.

There he was influenced by some of the century’s greatest theologians—Reinhold Niebuhr and Robert MacAffee Brown. Life was not just about classes. Oscar wanted to integrate faith with civic responsibility. So he went to West Africa for Operation Crossroad and during his time in seminary he was active in the Civil Rights movement. For someone interested in rural ministry, what was all this leading to? After ordination in the Presbyterian Church, Oscar did not receive the call he expected.

He was called to a church in Raleigh, North Carolina. From there Oscar was brought into national service with the denomination. In a time of national division Oscar worked for the Board of Christian Education seeking reconciliation and ways to bring about racial justice. He moved to New York in 1969 to continue his work for the denomination. His expected 5 years in the City turned into 37. From international mission to educational curriculum to funding theological education, Oscar’s national leadership has placed him in contact with all parts of church life. Most recently he has served Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church as an associate pastor and as the Moderator of the New York City Presbytery (2005-2006).

Although he retired in 2005, Brick Church convinced him to come out of retirement. After all, someone with so much experience in ministry would be the perfect person to lead the new seminary student minister program. While Rick, Emily, and Rachel keep him busy, he still has time for his greatest passion—fishing. There are few people in the Church who can offer such a dynamic definition of ministry.

—Rachel Pedersen and Emily Krause

CCOC Grantee:
Sanctuary for Families Enables Hope, New Lives
“I left my husband and now I get more for myself than I ever did from him…I’m on my way to independence in many ways. These cards mean that I can do everything on my own—go see the doctor when I am sick; work legally; go to college…even if I finish college at 50, I’ll finish.”
—Betty, Born in Hong Kong, the Republic of China

Betty is a 31-year-old client of Sanctuary for Families, an agency serving thousands of New York City domestic violence victims and their children with clinical, legal, shelter, and economic stability services. The Brick Church is proud to be working with Sanctuary on its newly launched Economic Stability Project (ESP), to which the Capital Campaign Outreach Committee recently made a 3-year, $100,000 commitment. Launched in May 2005 with seed funding from the New York City Council, ESP is a pioneering initiative targeting the City’s most at-risk domestic violence victims: those without the means to survive away from their batterers.

With Sanctuary’s help, Betty obtained an order of protection against her abusive husband and custody of her 6-year-old daughter. Sanctuary’s renowned Legal Center is now representing Betty in her divorce case. ESP provided Betty with the security deposit and first month’s rent for her own apartment, and she is now enrolled in college.

On a broader level, ESP has assisted nearly 600 clients with English as a Second Language, personal finance, and job-readiness classes in Sanctuary’s main office; hundreds of referrals to job training, employment services, housing assistance, educational programs, childcare, food pantries, and clothing closets; and $240,000 in emergency financial grants.

Sanctuary encourages Brick Church members to get involved in its work. There are myriad volunteer opportunities, as well as a constant need for both in-kind and financial contributions: clothing, toys, books, and household items are always welcome.

Call John Wyeth in Sanctuary’s Development Department at 212-349-6009, ext. 266 or email jwyeth@sffny.org for more information or a copy of the Annual Report featuring the Sanctuary clients’ photography project, “Visions of Independence.”

Capacity Crowds for Advent Potluck Supper
Crowds of members and guests filled Watson Hall to capacity on December 3 to enjoy each others’ cooking and fellowship before the 62nd Annual Park Avenue Carol Sing and Tree Lighting. With the encouragement of beautiful clear, warm weather, Watson Hall drew one of the largest crowds in the history of the event, and thousands of carol singers thronged to Park Avenue.

On Friday, December 1, preparations were under way. Pat Allen and her crew fried chicken, made chili and filled the bottomless salad bowl. Joan Podell staffed the kitchen and Watson Hall with an enthusiastic team of volunteers. Every spare inch of Watson Hall was set with tables decorated with the usual Brick Church “brick” and balloons, which were distributed along with Christmas music sheets on Park Ave.

Michael Lindvall, Keith Toth, Amanda Smith and the Children’s Choir led the singing from the front steps of the Brick Church. Adults, children, infants and dogs filled the avenue from 90th to 92nd streets, becoming silent as “Taps” rang out, followed by a prayer and the familiar words, “Let there be light.”

—Congregational Fellowship Committee

Mark Calendars for 2007 Concert Series
The concerts featuring our critically acclaimed Anderson organ will continue in 2007, with performances by our own Brick Church musicians and also internationally recognized organists from England and France. For further information about the series, please contact Minister of Music Keith Toth at Brick Church.

A year’s a little long for a party, but we had so many blessings to celebrate!
That’s why last year, prompted by the restoration of our glorious sanctuary, we kicked off “Celebration,” a year-long series of fellowship experiences and community commitments, now complete.

As the year unfolded, Brick Church members were part of the historic homecoming and rededication of our sanctuary, a first-ever organ concert series, an innovative pulpit series, and a significant new pledge for mission and outreach.

Confetti aside, according to Pastor Lindvall, Celebration had three important influences on Brick Church:

• It reaffirmed the central importance of music to our church, and demonstrated the relationship between preaching and music in worship

• It reinvigorated our own congregation while opening our doors to the larger community

• It heightened our awareness and commitment to mission -- our desire to reach beyond ourselves to help others

The Sound of Music
With a professionally-led program that has long set the standard for sacred music in the United States, music is central to Brick Church. Yet the installation of our Anderson Organ built by Casavant Frères, the first French symphonic organ for New York City, was a major musical milestone that definitely called for celebration.

The year of musical events that followed attracted celebrated international artists such as Ben van Oosten, Lynne Davis, Stephen Tharp and Jane Parker-Smith, featured Brick Church in the New York Times and in important journals of music, and established us as a relevant concert venue for the city.

Minister of Music Keith S. Toth says, “Rarely does a new pipe organ in a church receive as much attention as has the Anderson organ. Each week we receive visitors to the organ from all over the globe – it has become a “pilgrimage” organ in the international organ community. Additionally, the organ has brought increased attention from outside to our music ministry, worship services and other ministries.”

In the same way the music series opened Brick up to the larger music world, the pulpit series opened us up to the larger world of seminary education, the issues in our larger church, and its central enterprise of theological education.

“These seminaries are the crown jewels of the Presbyterian Church,” said Pastor Lindvall. “So bringing that outside perspective into the church on this important occasion was not only symbolic, but practically speaking, especially enlightening.”

In all, eleven Presbyterian seminary presidents preached under a single, unifying theme, “Grounds for Hope.”

One such guest, Dean Thompson, President, Louisville Theological Seminary, said: “Our Presbyterian seminaries exist as a major reservoir of hope and stability in the life and work of the Presbyterian Church. The intellectual and servant leadership that takes place there today will have an impact on what happens in the life of the church for decades to come. The churches I have served across this continent have loved supporting our theological institutions. Brick – one of the flagship churches of mainline Protestantism – is no exception.”

Dean Thompson also commented on the history, character and gifts of our special church, describing it as a church with a “preeminent history in American Christianity… a profoundly listening and caring congregation which has, in Pastor Lindvall, one of the truly great American speakers at the pulpit.”

A Stronger, More Open Church
An unstated aim of celebration was to reinvigorate the congregation while opening our doors to others.

“Brick has always been alive with a special energy,” said Fritz Ehlert, Celebration Chair. “Celebration was about acknowledging, and sharing, that spirit.”

Momentum continued to build during the year, with larger attendance at service, growing interest in new member classes, and vibrant fellowship activities, including an old-fashioned picnic on Park Avenue, organized by Wendy Hornick and the committee.

During the year of celebration we received 154 new members of diverse backgrounds bringing wonderful skills and talents to our congregation. New and existing members alike remarked on the connection between the sense of renewal of our physical space and a renewal of the spiritual space in their lives.

Carlton Farrier, co-chair of the Membership & Evangelism Committee, agrees. “Members are clearly more appreciative of the beauty of our sanctuary. But deeper than that, they feel a stronger sense of affinity and commitment to Brick because of the momentum we have on so many levels. Celebration was really just a symbol of all we have to be thankful for from our church.”

Elder Ellsworth Stanton adds. “The Brick Church is a family of Christians from many backgrounds and parts of the world. That characteristic is what will continue to distinguish Brick long after Celebration is over.”

A Renewed Commitment to Others
Beyond fellowship, beyond music and membership, perhaps the most important milestone of the past year was this: in counting our blessings, we matched 50% of every dollar raised for the building campaign toward outreach. The Session identified four areas of outreach for the funds, which totaled a remarkable $1.5 million:

• Seminary Education
[$300,000 toward developing leaders who serve others]

• New York City Local Outreach
[$700,000 in total to 7 organizations, including tuition-free The Children’s Storefront, Neighborhood Coalition for Shelter, and Sanctuary for Families]

• New York City Church Redevelopment
[$250,000 to local churches who need vital support]

• International Mission Outreach
[$250,000 for mission work through two programs serving others outside the U.S., in Mexico and Ethiopia]

(Note: Both the New York City Church Redevelopment and International Mission Outreach are operating as part of a “Joining Hearts and Hands” Program of the Presbyterian Church (USA), to which we pledged $500,000.)

According to Margaret Tranbaugh, member of the Capital Campaign Outreach Committee, “Brick Church has a long history of reaching out to this wondrous city of ours. It’s remarkable to see how our gifts can help other smaller, committed churches – who are just as important a part of the fabric of New York – continue to thrive.”

At the same time, our outreach takes us beyond the church, educating children of poor neighbors right in our backyard… and into the world, helping ensure that remote villages in Ethiopia have potable water and food security.

Clearly, our commitment to mission shows that Celebration was about so much more than improving our own physical space. As Pastor Doug King so ably describes, “Celebration is not a party, or a point in time. It’s about being present with God in the community and the world where our good fortune can help so many others. Our church is beautiful and comfortable, and our members are blessed. Yet Jesus calls us to reach beyond what’s right in front of us to offer our gifts to the world.” That’s a sentiment to celebrate.

Our Thanks to the Celebration Committee:
Wally Bottger, Tanisha Carrell, Nancy Condry, Kerri Devine, Wendy Hornick, Michael Lindvall, Terri Lindvall, Camille McDuffie, Kent McKamy, Barbara Meachin, Ellsworth Stanton, Keith Toth, and David Wilson, chaired by Fritz Ehlert.

Adult Bible Study: Explore the Torah
Sunday, 10:00 a.m. Anderson Library
Seminary Student Minister Rick Bold (rbold@brickchurch.org) leads Sunday morning Bible study. Rick is a gifted teacher and discussion leader. This January, he will begin a study of the Old Testament Torah—the first five books of the Hebrew Scriptures. Each week, the group will discuss a central passage from one of those books. This class is 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! The study meets Sundays at 10:00 a.m. in the Anderson Library.

Topics and Texts for Winter Bible Studies
January 7
Torah I – Genesis: The Book of Beginnings

January 14
Torah II – Exodus: The Book of Liberation

January 21
Torah III – Leviticus: The Book of Law

January 28
Torah IV – Numbers: The Book of a Growing People

February 4
Torah V – Deuteronomy: The Law Rembered

Men’s Bible Study
Since early October, an assorted group of men has been meeting for Bible study on Thursday mornings from 7:45 to 8:45 a.m. under the inspired guidance of our senior pastor. We have explored various topics in the New Testament, using as our text the “post-critical” Introduction by Charles Cousar, and we have just covered a number of readings spanning the connection between the Old and New Testaments.

It has been a fascinating experience, both instructive and stimulating. Rev. Lindvall’s approach is to commence with the didactic portion and set the particular text in its context, alerting us to subtleties that might elude the untutored. For example, did you know that the blind beggar, Bartimaeus in Mark 10, also stands for son of (“Bar”) Timaeus, an iconic figure from Plato, and almost certainly marks a juncture between Hellenic philosophy and Christianity?

But just as importantly, the following discussions have centered on the relevance of what we are reading to our lives today. How does a Christian react to the homeless on our doorsteps? What are the proper ethical responses to questionable practices we encounter in our business and daily lives? How do we reconcile the instruction of John the Baptist to repent or else, with the message of love and forgiveness from Jesus our savior?

The readings and the lessons to be drawn from them for the most part stand as a whole. Hence, there is no loss of continuity for many of us who are unable to attend every week.

So, when you have the chance, come along, learn a little more about your faith and explore how it might impact your lives in a stimulating and meaningful way. We are due to recommence on Thursday, January 18, 2007.

—Roger Miller

Telling the Truth, Seeing God’s Future:
Understanding the Prophets
10:00 a.m., Living Room, January 21-February 11

What is a prophet? Who were the prophets of Israel and Judah? Who were the prophets of the early church? What did they have to say? What can they say to us today?

Come to this four-week series on the prophets, taught by Dr. David Carr, Professor of Old Testament at Union Theological Seminary, and by Rachel Pederson and Rev. Michael Lindvall.

Sunday, January 21
Rachel Pederson will speak on the role of the prophets in ancient Israel and Judah and how we can understand them today.

Sunday, January 28
Dr. David Carr, Professor of Old Testament at Union Theological Seminary, will speak on the prophetic book of Isaiah. The Brick Church is honored to host this esteemed professor of Old Testament for two Sundays. Dr. Carr, who received a B.A. in Philosophy from Carleton College in 1980, an M.T.S. from Candler School of Theology in 1983, and an M.A. and Ph.D. in Religion from Claremont Graduate University in 1988, has lectured throughout the United States and Europe. His publications include Reading the Fractures of Genesis: Historical and Literary Approaches (Westminster, 1996); The Erotic Word: Sexuality, Spirituality and the Bible (Oxford, 2003); and Writing on the Tablet of the Heart: Origins of Western Scripture and Literature (Oxford, 2005. Currently, Dr. Carr is working on two projects: 1) an overview of the major stages of the development of the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament and 2) a book with Colleen Conway of Seton Hall University, tentatively titled An Introduction to the Bible: Sacred Texts and Imperial Contexts.

Sunday, February 4
Dr. David Carr, Professor of Old Testament at Union Theological Seminary, will continue speaking on the prophetic book of Isaiah.

Sunday, February 11
Rev. Michael Lindvall will speak on prophecy in the New Testament. You may know that the New Testament refers to Old Testament prophecies. But did you know that the early church considered prophecy a spiritual gift and believed there were prophets among their members?

Film and Faith: Seeing and Believing in the Cinema

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.

Communion Class for 1st and 2nd Graders
On January 28, 1st and 2nd Grade children and their parents are invited to attend Communion Orientation class at 9:30 a.m. in the Carnegie Room. This session, which is taught by Pastor Christy Lang and member Julia Dunn, is intended to help children experience Communion with greater understanding and to foster conversation between parents and kids. We discuss the meaning of the Sacrament and practice its elements together. Registration forms were mailed out in the fall; if you need a form, contact Caitlin Sparks. The final opportunity to attend this class will be in the spring.

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. This month’s youth nights for FNDP are Friday, January 5 and 19. Please arrive at 5:00 p.m. in Watson Hall. We are finished by 7:45 p.m.

Confirmation Class
Confirmation Classes continue for 8th grade students. Classes occur on designated Sunday afternoons from 12:30 until 2:30 p.m. in the Carnegie Room. This month, classes will occur on January 7, 21 and 28. 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.

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.

5th-6th Grade Pioneers Meet Next on January 21:
Beach Party in January
If you are a 5th or 6th grade student, come join the Brick Church Pioneers for their second event on Sunday, 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.

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.

7th Grade Fireside Club Meets on January 21
7th grade students are invited to join the Brick Church 7th grade youth group at their next Fireside Club meeting on Sunday, January 21. They gather on designated Sundays from 5:00-7:00 p.m. in Michael Lindvall’s study (yes, it has a fireplace!) 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. Registration forms went out in the fall. If you need one, 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 Tom Winmill or Christy Lang.

Youth Ski Trip February 3
On Saturday, February 3, 6th-12th graders are invited to join us on the annual ski trip to Camelback Mountain. This is one of the best events of the year, so don’t miss it! We meet early in the morning and take a bus to the mountain, ski or snowboard all day, eat in the lodge, drink hot chocolate, and then return home late in the evening. Other churches join us on this adventure. Registration forms went out in the mail; be sure to return them before the trip fills up. Questions? Contact Christy Lang.

Sunday School January Schedule

Women’s Association
Brick Church Fair’s Winter Dinner Dance – February 9, 2007
The Fair’s dinner dance – the elegant wrap-up event of the Fair season – is a wonderful part of the Fair’s tradition. Join us on Friday, February 9, at The Metropolitan Club as we conclude the 2006 Fair, thank the Fair chairs and volunteers who made it all possible, and welcome in the chairs of next year’s Fair.

The evening’s always anticipated Silent Auction provides excitement for partygoers seeking to contribute by placing their winning bids on everything from exciting trips to exotic teas. Proceeds from the Silent Auction benefit the Women’s Association Outreach Fund, which makes grants to nonprofit organizations in East Harlem and Yorkville that serve women and children, as well as to the Helen Watson Buckner Scholarship Fund.

Make your reservations for this evening full of fellowship and good work by calling the Carol Ann Mercer at the WA office at 212-289-4400 ext. 244 or camercer@brickchurch.org.

OUTREACH
Thanks for the Turkeys
The Brick Church community donated over $4000 to buy Thanksgiving Turkeys for families served by the Yorkville Common Pantry. As many as 1200 households receive grocery supplies each week from the pantry. Thank you to the congregation for funding 200+ turkeys for these families.

PRIMETIMERS
Save Jan. 18 for Saul Steinberg Tour
Museum of the City of New York curator Thomas Mellins will lead PrimeTimers on a private tour of the exhibit, “A City on Paper: Saul Steinberg’s New York.” More than forty drawings will be on view showing the range and originality of Steinberg’s vision of New York City. Beginning in 1944 until Steinberg’s death in 1999, The New Yorker published more than 1000 of his wordless drawings chronicling the ever accelerating pace of New York street life. Details: January 18, 2007, at 6:30 p.m., at the Museum of the City of New York, 1220 5th Ave., @ 103rd St. The fee of $10.00 per person includes the tour and light refreshments. Watch for the PrimeTimers flyer.

YOUNG ADULTS
Brunch after Worship on Jan. 21
Please join the Young Adults in the dining room of the Parish House immediately following worship on January 21. We will post information about speakers and topics of discussion on the Brick Church website closer to the date. If you can, please RSVP to youngadults@brickchurch.org, or just show up on Sunday, January 21.

BOOK CLUB
January Selection
The Brick Church Book Club will read Teacher Man, by Frank McCourt, for January. Claire Bosee will host the discussion on Monday, January 8, 2007, at 8:00 p.m. Please RSVP to Claire at 212-288-3394..

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.