Welcome to September! Although September is the ninth month of the year it also signals the start of a new year in significant ways. The new school year will begin, complete with new clothes, backpacks and classrooms for our children. As well, we begin a new year of church programming with Sunday Church School classes, Adult Education and Fellowship Groups. Our liturgical calendar tells us that we are continuing in Ordinary Time. It is a rather unglamorous name for the part of the church schedule between our major holidays. It is a time when we are called to grow in our faithfulness in our daily living.

 

Much effort goes into getting prepared for September. Parents take their kids back-to-school shopping. School teachers prepare their curriculum. At the church, we organize Sunday School, plan events and clean the building to prepare for the rush of people coming back into the life of the church.

 

Ten years ago, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, owner of the World Trade Center, collected the vestiges of 9/11 in a hangar at JFK Airport. After their curator photographed and numbered each piece of steel or aluminum, each crushed fire truck or signpost, insurance agents evaluated the ‘evidence’ of the disaster. Most of these ‘artifacts’ entered the collections of the New York State Museum and the future National September 11 Memorial and Museum. The Port Authority then offered reminders of 9/11 to fire houses, community centers and other not-for-profit organizations that agreed to preserve them.

Not so long ago, in my home country of Russia, a horrible tragedy happened that moved many people’s hearts and put tears on their eyes. Maksim, an 18-month-old little baby, was left alone in his crib for many hours by his drunk mother. He didn’t have any toys, because every bit of money his mother got from the government to take care of the baby, she used to buy herself alcohol. So, the best toy he could find out of boredom was an electrical heater left by the side of his crib. He pulled it in by the cord, and unthinkable happened — the mattress in his crib caught on fire.

Last December at the Candlelight Carol Service, our recently restored 1898 Steinway C Concert Grand piano had its debut. Thanks to the generosity of Mr. and Mrs. D. M. Wilson, III, this historic piano underwent a thorough restoration by Klavierhaus, one of our country’s premier piano restorers.  Don and Lynn Wilson have generously provided funding for a trio of recitals to inaugurate our restored Steinway.

 

The Wilsons expressed a strong interest in featuring both the Steinway piano and our acclaimed Anderson organ in these recitals. To that end, Brick Church has invited artists that are both widely recognized as concert pianists and organists.

In July, The Brick Church welcomed Linda Thompson as its new Membership and Stewardship Coordinator. Thompson is taking over for Tanisha Carrell, who moved with her family to Texas this summer. She joins us from her most recent position as a seventh grade head teacher at Aaron Academy, a unique school on the forefront of special education programs for middle and high school-aged students.

In June, Jeffrey Maddalena joined The Brick Church staff filling the vacant position of maintenance mechanic.  He has several years of experience as a superintendent and handyman in various buildings throughout the city, and has FDNY certifications in residential sprinkler systems and low-pressure oil burners. 

If you have agreed to teach Sunday School this coming year, please remember to attend required Teacher Training session on Saturday, Sept. 10 from 9 to 11 a.m. in the Carnegie Room.

Organizing a food pantry, folding clothes, boxing donations, serving soup and bread to the homeless, helping teachers with 3-year-olds—this is the kind of work our youth did during the Youth Mission Days this summer.  Before leaving for the day’s volunteer site, we gathered in the chapel and started with a morning devotional. We spent our first day at Jan Hus, where we shelved cans of food and organized clothing donations.

Save the date for the annual All-Youth Decathlon and Barbecue Celebration Sunday, Sept. 25 from 5 to 7 p.m.  All youth in fifth through 12th grade are invited for this multi-event, nonstop game night.  Events include tug of war, Bible Jeopardy, Pop-A-Shot, relay races, karaoke, Wii and much more.  The youth ministry committees have been working hard to plan this year’s annual kickoff event.  Last year, more than 50 youth participated, and we hope for even more this year!  Expect a night of fun, great food and even greater company with fellow teens.  The Decathlon will conclude with an outdoor barbecue in the garden, including a sundae station. 

This year marks the 400th birthday of the KJV, so it is fitting that our first Adult Education series of the year celebrate the biblical text. This class will be taught by all three Brick Church ministers and by Dr. Ian Torrance, president of Princeton Theological Seminary.

 

On Sept. 18, Rev. Lindvall will explore the Evolution of Scripture. In this class, Rev. Lindvall will help us understand the history of Biblical translation and formation of the cannon.

The Women’s Association’s Fall Fling will be held in the Brick Church Garden Friday, Sept. 23 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. This annual fellowship event is a great opportunity to reconnect with friends after the summer and mingle with new ones. The festive evening will include hors d’oeuvres, beverages, buffet dinner and music. If you can help that day with set-up contact one of the co-chairs: Lucy Cary, Susan Frehse, Carey Mangriotis or Lauren Stahl. Questions? Contact the Women’s Association office. Please respond via your mailed invitation.  See you there!