We are delighted to introduce our Oberlin Sacred Music Intern for winter 2024, Melissa Brassard. Melissa will be with us for five weeks, during Oberlin’s winter break. Please give her a warm welcome! Melissa is from the Los Angeles area, and currently studies both piano and organ at Oberlin. In addition to her studies, she serves as organist and accompanist at Saint Clarence Catholic Church in North Olmstead, Ohio. The Wilson Family sacred music internships allow students from Yale and Oberlin to work at Brick from September through May, developing musical skills in performance, accompanying, and conducting, and enriching the life of our congregation. We are grateful to Don and Lynn Wilson for their continued support of this wonderful program. - Dr. Raymond Nagem

Acts 19:1-7; 8:14-17 Perhaps like me, with this New Year you have resolved to make this year better than the one before. Hopefully though, neither of us have been trapped in the mass-market-snake oil salesman scam like the ones I stumbled upon. This is real by the way! Simply wrap the AB Energizer belt around your waist and with just the press of a button you’re on your way to tighter abs…. Say good-bye to strenuous, time-consuming workouts because you can use the AB Energizer while you continue with your day-to-day activities such as working, shopping, or watching TV. All for only 47.95… America seems to have a proliferation of miracle products.  Those devices and gadgets we spend billions of dollars a year on trying to find that magic shortcut to a better, richer, more prosperous life. Apparently, any problem can be fixed for a mere $19.95 plus shipping and handling. However, one glance at the landfills filling at an ever-rapid pace is proof that in life there are no short cuts. It seems that no area of society is immune from this noisy, money-driven face marketing. Listen to this one… STOP! Here is important information you simply MUST know in order to DOUBLE . . . even TRIPLE your [returns]…! If you check out this material on Amazon.com…you will see that this material lists there for a full $147 …But now here’s the good news… you WON’T have to pay $147, or even $97! Follow this special link and order your own personal copy of Double Your Church Attendance Deluxe Edition…all for a mere $37!” “Here’s the good news” … $37 to double your church attendance” …$37 for good news. I seem to remember the good news being free, but churches, in their desperation to fill their pews, will resort to any measures whether it is reducing the Gospel down to a slick slogan, watering down worship, or becoming a consumer-oriented institution which exists to meet the consumer demands of its members. In the process the church growth industry thrives by tempting churches into believing it is as easy to obtain as rock-hard abs without any sit-ups. However, instead of filling up landfills they are emptying out denominational churches. Peter’s response to Simon who wanted to buy the Holy Spirit suggests that the Gospel is not something that can be sold at any price and that attempting to do so perverts and destroys it. Church growth comes by the power of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, “pre-packaged programs” for growth cannot produce true fruit because the Spirit cannot be controlled. That was Simon’s error. As a practitioner of magic he believed he could, with words and gestures, summon and control the spirits but the Spirit cannot be summoned by magicians nor packaged by marketing guru’s. Churches are trying to “bottle” the Spirit as people try to bottle fame and fortune. No, the Holy Spirit, that vital force of God which breaths vigor and life into creation and people and churches, only comes as divine gift. I do believe churches truly want to be faithful to God in their quest for service and that our scripture points to a dual focus to this end: 1. Preach the Gospel 2. With the fire of the Holy Spirit. Whenever I read this passage, I am taken aback by the phrase, “they prayed that they might receive the Holy Spirit (for as yet the spirit had not come upon any of them; they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)”  Other passages and orthodox Christianity do not provide for the separating out of God in such a fashion. However, in many churches it seems indeed that the Spirit is not present—the spirit of joy, the spirit of hope, the spirit of love, the spirit of forgiveness. The apostle Paul used the Greek word pneumatikon to describe the non-material body of the resurrected. This word refers to a physical body totally energized and empowered by the Holy Spirit (Witherton and Wright). 12th century Benedictine Hildegard referred to the third member of the Trinity as the “most beautiful shining fire.” Imagine if someone off the street came in, became a part of our community, and described this congregation as the most beautiful shining fire of the Spirit. For the frozen chosen churches this analogy has definitive implications. Such an empowerment would drive disciples into the world. The Alban Institute for church consultation had this to say, “When we really live in community—as if our very lives depended on practicing our faith—I guarantee that our congregations will be more vital.” … Notice this guarantee does not point to a numerical return on investment but vitality. To be vital is first of all to be alive, and where does life come from but the Holy Spirit. When we practice our faith as if it were crucial for the world’s well-being the Spirit grows. The eminently quotable 18th author Doctor Samuel Johnson declared, “Nothing focuses the mind like being sentenced to a hanging.” Practicing our faith as if our lives depended on it means that vital churches believe that matters of faith are vitally important. We may not believe as some churches do, that we can save people, only God can do that, but that does not mean the message God has given us is not absolutely essential for the world to hear. Churches are not to be institutions but vital bodies sharing the good news of the Gospel. And it is good news! Which leads us to the other piece of the equation – the Good News of the Gospel. That iconoclastic Methodist Bishop William Willimon had this to say: …In a time when the community was fighting for its very life, it fought not by reducing its witness to the lowest common denominator, a catchy slogan fit for a bumper sticker or a billboard…but by carefully defining itself…rather than baptizing the status quo or resorting to mushy affirmations of popular practices (even though I disagree with some of Simon’s techniques, he does draw a lot of people)…the church demanded repentance. Essentially, Willimon is telling us that the early church did not focus on institutional growth but on spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The future of our congregation, indeed our denomination, will not be decided in the halls of General Assembly or the Book of Order, or even by our committees; but in the hearts of believers just like you, burning with the fiery passion of the Spirit by spreading the Gospel in these ways: To the husband who cares for his Alzheimer-afflicted wife, who receives a few hours respite from people in the name of Christ, the Good News is peace. To the woman who has been told she is worthless since she was a child, the Good News is Christ’s love. To the businessman who has raced to the top and found he was at the bottom, the Good News is purpose in serving the church. To parents who lose their children to war, disease, and poverty, the Good News is the hope of reunion. When each of us, as Christ’s disciples, allows the shining fire of the Spirit to convict us of the magnitude of the Gospel we will have the courage to remain true and the Spirit of God will baptize the fruit of efforts by blessing the world. Amen.

In the turbulent sea of life, we often find ourselves confronted by epic meltdowns, like crashing waves that threaten to engulf our hearts and minds. Over the past few years, we've witnessed many forms of chaos in our world. From a man losing his temper at a baby on an airplane to the state of war in the Middle East, fear encircles us, threatening to disrupt our state of calm. The Bible is filled with men and women who suffered from similar epic meltdowns. Peter had an epic meltdown when he began to sink while walking on water following Jesus' footsteps, and denied three times he was a disciple after Jesus was arrested (Matthew 14:29-31; Matthew 26:69-75). Elijah had an epic meltdown after defeating 450 prophets of Baal and 400 prophets of Ashram by hiding in a cave when Queen Jezebel threatened his life (1 Kings 19:1-18). Moses, too, shared, "God, kill me now if I need to keep bearing the burden of the (complaining) people," only after parting the Red Sea (Numbers 11:11-15). Each of these people had moments of extreme self-doubt where they felt like everything had spun out of control. Peter denied Jesus. Moses yelled at God. Elijah felt abandoned. For each of these men, God provided peace during the chaos. God gave them a moment of stillness and calm in the middle of their storms. In a moment of crisis, they heard the still small voice of God's presence within them. On the other side of their meltdowns, a profound realization surfaced. All along, they were being held in the hands of God. In the same way, trust centers us for the storms that lie ahead. And once we encounter God's faithfulness, a boldness emerges, and a calm amidst the storm becomes our anchor. Jesus stands as a beacon of light and calm amid our epic meltdowns. He addresses the contemporary issues that echo through frightening headlines news — poverty, violence, estrangement, and intolerance. Jesus confronted these same political problems without seeking political power, and established a following with a spirit markedly different from the world. He came not to establish an external kingdom but to inscribe God's love on our hearts — for us to display mercy, kindness, humility, justice. A society, organized around serving others and prioritizing their needs, is a stark contrast to our worldly order. In this new kingdom, the first shall be last, and the last shall be first. Jesus' response to the headline news is revolutionary: when confronting enemies, pray for them and perform acts of love. As we march through January, we'll learn about these epic meltdowns and how we can find solace in Jesus's timeless message. Then, as we enter Lent, we'll dive into Jesus' answer to the headline news and experience God’s presence amid our storms. For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.' - John 3:16

Seeking talented performers, musicians, craftspeople, artists, and any volunteers eager to play a role in putting on this year's community theater musical, Cinderella (Enchanted Edition)! Auditions are January 20th and 21st and all ages (4 and up) are encouraged to audition and participate. For questions, please contact our director, Courtney Edwards at courtneymatsonedwards@gmail.com. Saturday, January 20th | 10am – 12pm (Children 13 and under) Sunday, January 21st | 2pm – 4pm (Ages 14 and over) (Callbacks 4-5pm as needed.) Watson Hall Click here to register to audition or volunteer!

Please join us in donating blood on January 19th, celebrating the life of Breck Denny (‘94) and saving lives in the New York area. Simply put, giving blood matters: a single donation can help up to three people. It was donated blood that gave Breck a fighting chance in his final hours. He died on January 17, 2022, at age 34, from a spontaneous splenic artery rupture, an event so rare that there are less than 150 known cases in medical literature – the rarest of chances for the rarest of men. Breck was always giving. Now it’s our turn – we hope you join us and give #BloodForBreck at Brick.

In preparation for the annual Lessons & Carols service at Brick Church, Minister of Music Dr. Raymond Nagem interviewed composer Jonathan Woody. Woody will preview his latest composition, 'Magnificat,' and discusses some of his influences and themes in the work. Brick Church’s Lessons & Carols is modeled on the famous service that has been sung at King’s College, Cambridge, since 1918. By flickering candlelight, we proclaim the message of Christmas through readings, carols, and anthems, and we share the good news of light amid the winter’s darkness. This year’s service will feature the world premiere of a new Magnificat by New York composer Jonathan Woody. Attendance for this year’s Lessons & Carols is free and open to the public.

Register for the Brick Church Young Adult Mission Trip (ages 18+) as we journey to Philadelphia, PA! All college students and young adults are welcome on this trip that we hope will become an annual tradition. Whether your passion lies in Worship, Fellowship, or Logistics, you can play a vital role in shaping this mission weekend and engage in the planning process. Join us for five days of volunteering, outreach, and meaningful service where you'll grow closer to each other and extend the love of God.

The angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is the Messiah, the Lord. - Luke 2:10-11 …Angels from the Realms of Glory …Angels we have heard on high …The First Noel, the angels did say Many of our favorite carols include angels because we love the part they play. The angel tells Mary she has God’s favor, the angel warns Joseph and Mary to flee, the angel brings comfort in fear, the angel brings good news of great joy. The angel is the most illustrious herald in our Christmas story, in no small part due to the most beloved angel hymn, “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing!” As elusive as they are to the modern world, they play a critical part in God’s salvation history. Job tells us that angels have seen it all and been singing since the beginning, “Then the LORD answered Job out of the storm. ‘...Where were you when I laid the earth's foundation? ...while the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy?’" (Job 38:1-7, NIV) One can only imagine Mary’s disposition on meeting the angel Gabriel. Angels were sent by God to convey important messages but when Gabriel is the one sent it usually meant something bad. According to Enoch, a popular religious book at the time, Gabriel was an archangel; one of the big four, and God would dispatch him to pour out his wrath on a sinful and wayward people. You bet Mary was afraid. Given that it is Gabriel, a messenger of wrath, his first words are surprising, “Greetings O, favored one.” It’s like the terminator walking in your door and saying, “Have a nice day!”This is why Luke tells us, “…she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.” Apparently, Gabriel has not come because of God’s wrath but God’s love. The only other Biblical book Gabriel appears in, as opposed to other literature, was in Daniel. The book of Daniel is filled with fantastic visions, that Gabriel interprets. One of those visions describes a period of 490 years in which there will be desecrations, desolations, and destruction. The good news in these visions comes at their consummation through the arrival of the messiah who will heal the world. Gabriel’s appearance to Mary is an announcement that that time has come and that the one anointed to accomplish this task will be her child. As the herald angel announces the arrival of the King of Kings the news is shaped in such a way as to bless the ones who hear it. The Christmas angel declares: …messages of salvation to shepherds, “…a savior is born…” …messages of courage to Mary, “…do not be afraid…” …messages of compassion and hope to Elizabeth and Zechariah, “…your prayer is answered…the lord is with you.” Message of Compassion In the Christmas story, Gabriel announces the births of both John and Jesus, and for Zechariah and Elizabeth, it is a message of compassion. Now, every birth is a gift, but Gabriel shares this news with the elderly Zechariah – that his wife, who is past childbearing age – will have a child. John is miracle baby. This is what theangel Gabriel tells Zechariah, “Your prayers have been heard.” The lack of a child had been very hard for Elizabeth, she said as much when she became pregnant, “This is what the Lord has done for me when he looked favorably on me and took away the disgrace I have endured among my people.” The angel let her know God heard Elizabeth and Zechariah’s heartfelt pleas. Message of Courage Angels don’t only bear happy or glad news, but they find ways to bring hope out of the hard news. The angel tells Mary at 15 that she will have a child. She knows she has not been with a man and that also in those times it was not only scandalous but potentially deadly news. But the angel reassures her that the promise is this child will bring hope to the world and she is able to embrace this news with courage, and quickly any personal fears she has for her fate dissolves into hopes for those in need. Message of Salvation and Hope When the angel appeared to the shepherds, they were understandably terrified. So, the first words out of the archangel’s mouth were “Fear not.” But Gabriel didn’t stop there, telling them why they should not fear, “I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord.” Quickly their fear turned to awe so they anxiously left their sheep to see what had come to pass. The culmination of this good news would be seen not only in Jesus’ sacrifice but His resurrection afterwards. This is God’s ultimate sign that the power of salvation rests securely in divine hands. When God brings life, it becomes a message to those struggling, as the angel said to Mary, “The Lord is with you.” This presence can bring peace even in hard times. I know someone who experienced several hard losses in a row. Her children were grown,and she wanted another child. Another treasured family member that was ill told her she would indeed have a daughter. Was he simply trying to make her feel better? Was it a message from God? She had always wanted a daughter but perhaps had given up on that dream. But as he was dying, she realized she was pregnant with a girl. She became a precious gift, not only of a daughter, but in a special way, helping her to feel the of the light of her brother’s presence. There are so many herald angels in this church. Messengers of God’s good news of great joy to those who have found themselves in the shadowy corners of life. This Advent so many have shared with me incredibly tender moments. …A person in experiencing transitions in life has found the grace of God in our midst. …A visitor from off the street spoke to me of her inability to experience joy at this time of year, and the guilt she feels from it, but the Service of Lessons and Carols reminded her of God’s grace. …A person from the neighborhood who felt a devastating loss, received a gift from this congregation, and the expression of sympathy from so many unknown to her has given her a measure of comfort. I remember as a three-year-old boy here in New York City at Broadway Presbyterian Church, we'd go to the Midnight Christmas Eve Service, and at the end when we lit those candles, I believed with all my heart that Jesus was coming into the world. This baby meant everything was different and then it was not only magical, but it was mystical, and it was glorious, and I felt all of these things Gabriel shared: peace and good will, no fear, the joy of God’s favor. I knew that my candle could only shine a little light, but when they were all lit together, that something special happened, and in my 3-year-old mind I was indeed seeing that “glory of the Lord” that “shone round about them!” But of course, the awe and the wonder faded as I grew older. But it has come back even stronger, this year in particular. I know now that all of this magic of Christmas Worship didn't happen by the snap of the Holy Spirit’s fingers. That happened because somebody bought the candles. It happened because the ushers handed them out. It happened because the music people work so hard. And that even more there is a greater light than these candles…the light of God’s love that people feel, it happens because of you. That is the miracle of the Christ Child. He has planted His love and hope in each of our hearts. And when we shine it with courage, compassion, and joy, others feel God’s hope, God’s peace, God’s joy, and God’s love. Amen.

Shared during Sunday Worship on December 24, 2023. God of all, we are grateful for the shepherds. While their encounter with the angel discloses a mystical moment of historic importance, we are reminded that jobs like theirs are not easy and entail a measure of risk. On this morning in which we find ourselves in a warm sanctuary with bright lights we are reminded that it takes people like the shepherds to keep our world going. They work long hours through the night hauling food on trucks, running out in the snow to fix power lines, and keeping safe watch over our homes, our streets, and places of business.  While many of us are in our beds, others work emergency rooms, drive ambulances, and keep pharmacies open 24 hours a day. We pray for those who work into the deep of night and those who incur risk to care for our lives while we sleep… Lord, in the deep of night the shepherds found themselves quaking with fear. As we consider the relative safety of our lives we realize there are people in places of violence all around the world and even in our country whose every waking moment is filled with the possibility that this breath will be their last.  We pray for Syria, Somalia, Sudan, Israel, Palestine, Ukraine, Russia and more. We especially pray that You watch over children and all civilians. We pray that our Lord, the Prince of Peace, will bring peace to all people and places in conflict. We pray for those who live in fear… Upon hearing the message of the angels, the shepherd's fear turned to awe; at that moment Your Word tells us the glory of the Lord shone round about them, the beauty of this moment invokes our wonder at Your brilliant presence. After this gift they went and shared the story with Mary and in turn others wrote this story down that we might be blessed in its retelling. Restore to use the awe of Your presence that we might bear witness to Your grace. We pray for the Spirit to dwell within us to glorify and praise You… To you God belongs the awe, joy, and delight of the beauty of life and grant us the vision to see in the Christ child what you ask of our humanity and what we are to see in the nature of our glory. Amen.

The angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is the Messiah, the Lord. - Luke 2:10-11 Mary receives an unimaginable message – become the mother of God. After the angel assures her that this is good news, she visits her cousin Elizabeth, and with her voice becomes the most constant herald in the history of the world. There are many iconic voices in this story.  John the Baptist, the shepherds, and even the angels…all pale in comparison to her Magnificat. It is read, sung, and spoken in Latin, Portuguese, English, Mandarin, Hindi and hundreds of other languages EVERY SINGLE DAY! Mary’s song of love to God carries within it one of the most resonantly poetic, beautiful,and powerful phrases in all of scripture. “My soul magnifies the Lord.” To hear it is to want to know more about what God has done in the heart of Mary to lead her to utter such devotion and love. It gives one the impression that the Lord God has touched her deeply in her innermost being in such a way that utter faith, utter hope has secured her heart such that she moves forward in life with perfect confidence that God will accomplish not only her deepest hopes, but the healing of humanity itself. But I believe it was not only the Spirit above but the tragedies below that shaped her voice. The voice of this fifteen-year-old is unmatched in her timeless insights. It is the power both of her lofty praise, “My soul magnifies the Lord!” and her grounded passion for God’s people, “He has filled the hungry with good things.” And in this case God’s people means those laid low by injustice, poverty, and shame. For Mary, perhaps it was the journey to her cousin that gave her time to process the possibilities of this child and rather than ephemeral fanciful thoughts, it was rooted in human pain. Imagining the power of this child, she saw an opportunity to shape His heart. In this way Mary not only herald’s God’s words but whispers back to God through the Son’s ears. I find myself wondering how much of Jesus’ earthly nature was shaped by His family tree in this case by Mary. If she hoped for a savior who favored the poor and the hungry wouldn’t that lead Him to do the same? If she exhibited a humble servant nature wouldn’t that teach Jesus the same attitude? Or to put it bluntly, how much of the Magnificat’s concepts did Mary drill into Jesus’ head each and every day!? Her Magnificat seems to anticipate His life and ministry. In calling for the hungry to be fed with good things, it calls to mind Jesus’ feeding of the 5,000. In promising the rich will be sent away empty-handed we see Jesus send away the rich young ruler. In looking for the day the lowly will be lifted up we see Jesus bringing respect to those denigrated by society. Mary’s voice was not only compassionate but radical. At this time many believed that poverty was a punishment from God or at the very least a sign of one’s inferior blood. But Mary turns this view upon its head, and instead shows that rather than God’s heart centering on the powerful it centers on the poor. That is a complete and utter change. And in New York City we have a lot of compassion, change, and work to do. The New York City Council reported “According to Feeding America, the nation’s leading hunger-relief organization, 1 in 10 New Yorkers, or 1,882,580 people, struggle with hunger, and of them 596,060 are children.” Brick is working to do its part. Through the Christmas gifts for struggling families we are collecting to the filling of neighborhood refrigerators with food, we are seeking to follow Christ’s call. It is especially important at this time of year as we celebrate joyous moments with family and friends to never forget those Jesus always remembers. I have seen teenagers throughout my ministry with Mother-Mary-like focus and powerful heraldic voices. One asked if he could begin a weekly meal ministry in the church inviting people off the streets for a warm meal and friendship. Another petitioned Session to put a public box on the edge of our church property which people of the church filled with toiletries, small gifts, and more for families on the edge and the people on the street.  Still yet another stood up at a Deacon’s meeting here at Brick over a year ago, telling them it was time to start back our meal ministry and it is going strong. And yet another at this very first Congregational Care meeting suggested we take cookies to the homebound. All of this happened because they spoke with Mary-like compassion and conviction! We must act but we must also lift up our voice to lift up awareness around our city. The power of the herald is within us all. We may not have Mary’s unique opportunity, but we all have a chance to speak, for the human voice has incredible power to build up and to break down. Scripture tells us it is both a gift of the tree of life and a restless evil filled with deadly poison. It is hardship perhaps most of all that hones the soul enabling it to express the depth of human experience. And because of its power a voice can even be frightening to the one who wields it. Perhaps you remember the tragic and triumphant story of Marguerite Annie Johnson. Her first years were incredibly tumultuous, she moved from place to place, her parents separated, and she lived with her grandmother for a time and then her father brought her to live with her mother. It was there her mother’s boyfriend violated her. She told others and after being released from jail a few days later he was murdered. For five long years she said not a single word, as she said, “I thought, my voice killed him; I killed that man, because I told his name. And then I thought I would never speak again, because my voice would kill anyone." Her biographer, Marcia Ann Gillespie wrote, “It was during this time of silence she developed her love for literature and her unique ability to observe the world around her.” Later, known as Maya Angelou, she wrote “I know why the caged bird sings.” Like Mother Mary, she knew hardship, and challenge, and like Mary her spirit rose stronger than her tragedies and oppressors and so she too has become a herald for God’s causes. I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings (poem by Maya Angelou) The free bird leaps on the back of the wind and floats downstream till the current ends and dips his wings in the orange sun rays and dares to claim the sky. But a bird that stalks down his narrow cage can seldom see through his bars of rage his wings are clipped and his feet are tied so he opens his throat to sing. The caged bird sings with fearful trill of the things unknown but longed for still and his tune is heard on the distant hill for the caged bird sings of freedom The free bird thinks of another breeze and the trade winds soft through the sighing trees and the fat worms waiting on a dawn-bright lawn and he names the sky his own. But a caged bird stands on the grave of dreams his shadow shouts on a nightmare scream his wings are clipped and his feet are tied so he opens his throat to sing The caged bird sings with a fearful trill of things unknown but longed for still and his tune is heard on the distant hill for the caged bird sings of freedom. Freedom is Christ’s mission. Freedom from hunger, freedom from fear, freedom from shame and freedom to live in the abundant love of God. Let us herald that He comes to fill our stomachs and our souls with good things and get then busy making it come to pass. Amen.

Join us this Sunday, December 17th after the service in the Carnegie Room to wrap gifts for children in need this Christmas. Can't make it? You can still bring a wrapped gift to the Christmas Eve Family service at 4:00 PM. Please indicate age and gender on the tag.

The Building and Grounds Committee recently undertook a reorganization/cleaning of the attic storage area inside the clock tower. This project included the relocation of a family of pigeons who were living there and subsequent cleanup which was proficiently accomplished by Lyric Lagos (Brick Church Facilities Manager) and Anthony Gorcsi (Brick Church Facility Coordinator). During this extensive project we discovered portraits of former Senior Ministers of our Church. George Thomas (Brick Church in House Mechanic) skillfully restored these portraits, and they are now hanging in the hall outside the Session room. If you are interested in learning more about these former Senior Ministers, you can read about Reverend Bevan on pages 93-94 and Reverend Richards on pages 118-121 of Mr. E. Deane Turner’s excellent and thorough book on the history of the Brick Presbyterian Church. This book is titled: A Fellowship of Kindred Minds and a copy can be found in the newly reorganized Anderson Library. The Committee wishes to thank our Facilities Manager, Lyric Lagos and Margaret Stocker, Chair of the Archives Committee for their cooperation with these projects. Patrick D. Barrett, Trustee and Chair Building and Grounds Committee