By Michael L. Lindvall
As I write this in early December, I anticipate the possibility of your hearing or reading stories in the secular media about major stresses in our national denomination, the Presbyterian Church (USA). Stress between more liberal and more conservative Presbyterians is not new, but it has become sharper in the last year, since the General Assembly and a majority of the denomination’s regional presbyteries voted to remove language from our Book of Order that had been added a few years ago, language intended to prohibit congregations and presbyteries from ordaining ministers, elders and deacons who were openly gay. The effect of this recent change, as I noted in an earlier From the Pastor, is now to permit individual congregations and presbyteries to choose their course of action in this disputed matter.

 

By Keith Toth

In June 2012, The Brick Church School will launch Summer Steps, a five-week educational program for low-income 4- and 5-year-old children who will be entering or applying to kindergarten at an independent school the following fall. Summer Steps will run Monday, June 25 to Friday, July 27 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with an optional early drop-off at 8 a.m. and an optional extended day until 6 p.m.  Family income is the sole factor in determining whether a child is eligible to apply.  Children from all racial, ethnic, and religious backgrounds, and all family configurations, are encouraged to apply if they meet the income requirements. 

This summer, Brick Church youth, including rising ninth graders (that’s you, Confirmands!), will be heading to North Carolina for a youth conference at the Montreat Conference Center.  The Brick Church youth and Rev. Adam Gorman will be joining Rev. Erin Keys and some of the youth from First Presbyterian Church of Greenwich.  Together, we will be riding on a chartered bus to and from North Carolina with plenty of movies, games, candy, music and fun.  You do not want to miss this amazing experience!