The story is told about Charles Dickens attending a meeting of the clergy so terminally dull and lifeless that, out of frustration with the proceedings, the great novelist suggested to the dour ministers of the Gospel that they gather round a table, join hands, and attempt to commune with the living. Though I have no idea if this Dickens tale is apocryphal or true, I have no trouble imaging such a meeting of fellow divines. I have attended more than a few. It is tragically ironic that Christians, Christian clergy most especially, might gather, speak and live in a way that so utterly belies the core affirmations of faith they claim.

Each month, one of the ministers will note some of the books that he or she has recently read. Inclusion on the list does not imply endorsement; the hope is that you will find your own reading informed by this column.

A Good Friday tradition at The Brick Church for almost a century, Sir John Stainer’s Lenten choral meditation, The Crucifixion, will be performed by the professional choir of The Brick Church along with guest soloists tenor Nathan M. Carlisle (Metropolitan Opera Company) and bass-baritone Philip Horst (Metropolitan Opera Company) on Good Friday, April 2, at 12:15 pm. Keith S. Tóth will conduct and Daniel Kirk-Foster will provide the organ accompaniment on The Brick Church’s acclaimed Anderson organ.

By Order of the Session and the Board of Trustees of The Brick Presbyterian Church in the City of New York, the Annual Meetings of the Congregation and Corporation will be held Wednesday, May 5, 2010, in Watson Hall, The Brick Presbyterian Church, 1140 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10128, beginning at 8 p.m.

On Wednesday, May 5, join us at the Congregational Dinner and Annual Meetings of The Brick Church. We will celebrate the depth and breadth of our ministry together as we look back on the past year and look forward to the year ahead. We will have the opportunity to thank our outgoing deacons, elders and trustees for their faithful service to the church, and to elect new officers to lead us in the days ahead. Our Nominating Committee has worked diligently to create a slate of nominated officers who will serve this congregation with faithfulness and distinction. The congregation will vote on this slate following dinner. The evening will begin with a reception on the Youth Floor at 6:30 p.m., followed by a buffet dinner created by our own in-house member-chefs. The Annual Meetings will begin at 8 p.m. and last one hour. We ask members to pay $25 per person at the door for a wonderful evening of fellowship and church business. R.S.V.P. by email to RSVP@brickchurch.org.

By Jonathan Crooms
I am currently a second year Master of Divinity student at Princeton Theological Seminary. I was born and grew up in St. Petersburg, Fla. The church has always been a significant part of my life. I attended an Episcopalian independent school throughout my childhood. I sang in the children’s choir, attended Sunday School, and was part of the middle and high school youth groups at my home congregation, Maximo Presbyterian Church.

I attended Davidson College in Davidson, N.C., where I earned a Bachelor of arts in political science with a minor in French in 2004. During my college years, I began to think critically about what it means to be a Christian in a broken world and how the church relates to the public arena in terms enacting social change.

By Margaret Mitsuyasu
I was born and raised in Enumclaw, a small town about an hour southeast of Seattle, nestled in the foothills of Mt. Rainer on a plateau left by the Osceola Mud Flow. The local industries quickly identify themselves. Approaching Enumclaw, your nose is struck by the pungent aroma of the fresh dairy air and, as you attempt to navigate the narrow country roads, large logging trucks thunder past. The few downtown blocks are lined with quaint storefronts, lampposts, and an occasional mural depicting an old fashioned logging scene. The local gatherings and entertainment consisted primarily of the high school sporting events, many of which I was a part of, either through my involvement with the marching and pep bands or with the cheerleading squad (yes, believe it or not, I was a cheerleader in high school!).

Amanda Smith, director of children’s music at The Brick Church, will be performing the lead role of Casilda in The Gondoliers, a Gilbert & Sullivan opera. The production, performed by the Blue Hill Troupe, takes place at the Hecksher Theater at El Museo del Barrio, Fifth Ave at 104th Street, and runs from April 17 through April 24.

The Gondoliers is a great introduction to operetta; it is set in Venice, performed in English, with lots of humor, colorful costumes, entrancing sets, and beautiful music. The show will delight audiences ages 4 through 94. All proceeds from this year’s production will go to The New York Foundling to help fund The Mott Haven Academy’s Arts and Music Program, which will enable students to participate regularly in dance, music, visual arts and theater. The poverty and family instability challenging these children often precludes even the most basic exposure to the arts and to the cultural life of our City. The Arts and Music Program, when fully realized, will not only develop young scholars’ skills and arts appreciation, but will also utilize the arts to engage students in core subject areas. All of the funds raised will support the purchase of theater, art and music equipment and supplies, as well as the artists-in-residence and instructors who will regularly engage our students in all aspects of the arts.

Haiti Kits, Palm Sunday, Choir Festival and more...

Mission Work Days, BEANBAG, FNDP and more!

Confirmation meets this month on April 11, 18, and 25. On April 11, Michael Lindvall will be our guest teacher. From there on out, we will be planning for Youth Sunday on May 16, which is the date on which students lead the congregation in worship. Confirmation Sunday, when students will be confirmed in the 11 a.m. worship service and celebrated at a reception afterward, will be held on May 23. In addition, Confirmation students are invited to participate in this June’s mission work days, which will be held in and around New York City this year. Dates are still to be confirmed. Contact Erin Keys with any questions.

This spring, Adult Education at The Brick Church will host a six-week series on Christianity and Sexuality. The goal is to open an honest conversation about the ways that our faith and Christian tradition inform and are informed by our views of sex and sexuality. We want to ask and talk about hard questions: What does the Bible say about sex, sexuality, and gender? How might Christians be expected to interpret Biblical texts about sexuality today? How have Christians in the past understood sex and sexuality, and how has that impacted where we find ourselves today? Are the sexuality debates in our culture today rooted in theology and the Bible, or in cultural standards foreign to the faith? What is happening in the Presbyterian Church with regard to the sexuality debates? How can parents talk with their kids about sex and sexuality from a Christian perspective that is open and honest? Is there such a thing as “the Christian perspective” on sexuality, or is it more a matter of many perspectives?

All are welcome to join the men’s and women’s Bible studies. These studies are intended to help members and friends learn more about the Bible, and no expertise is necessary. The groups explore and discuss the Biblical text and its meaning for our lives, and we get to know one another in the process. Participants for both men’s and women’s studies are encouraged to bring their own Bibles, though Bibles will be available at the meetings.  This month the Men's Study is featuring a new book and hosting a retreat!

YCP Toiletries Drive, PrimeTimers Long Island Tour, Book Club, Membership and more!

Annual Meeting, Spring Boutique and Scholarship Program information.

June Program and Tours!

Because Labor Day was so late this year, The Brick Church School calendar runs later into June than usual, and the June Program is starting later. For this reason, the School has changed the options available to families. Children will now have the option to attend only the first two weeks (June 8-18). The cost for the two-week option is $1,400; the cost for the full three weeks (June 8-25) is $2,000.

“It was the best day I ever had,” announced a tired but pleased 4-year-old participant in the Day of Discipleship.  She had just completed a busy morning working on projects to help others.  Many of us left that day with a similar sense of satisfaction.  On the morning of May 2nd of last year, more than 150 Brick Church members gathered to serve our neighbors in need.  In the process, we learned together, laughed together and grew in faithfulness together.