Each Sunday leading up to Consecration Sunday, we invite community members to share why they give to Old First. Karen Bulthuis shared her reflections this past Sunday. When Christine Scheibl asked me to speak as part of the preparation for Consecration Sunday, I immediately said yes. Because I feel so privileged to be part of this church community, and I have a lot to say […]
As we near completion of Phase 1 of our sanctuary restoration, even more miracles are coming our way: The National Fund for Sacred Places has awarded Old First participation in its grant-making program, Partners for Sacred Places. This is in cooperation with the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Between 2016 and 2020, the Partnership for Sacred Places is determined to award $10 million among 50 […]
Old First is thrilled to be entering its eighth annual Summer Respite Shelter! For the past seven summers, for five nights a week, we’ve provided twelve men with a hot meal and a comfortable bed, partnering with other congregations and local service agency CAMBA. Each year, hundreds of volunteers, friends, and neighbors from Old First, Park Slope, and local partner congregations come together to host them. This […]
The Old First Respite Shelter is entering its seventh summer of service and hospitality and we invite everyone to sign up as cooks, evening coordinators, and overnight hosts. This year’s shelter will run 9 weeks from July 3 to September 4. For more information on what’s involved and how to sign up, please visit the 2017 Old First Respite Shelter Sign-Up Genius page. Since 2011, Old First and […]
Those satisfying, right-on-time goodies served immediately after our church service are actually part of a ministry, supporting our missions of hospitality and fellowship. Heads up, though: don’t be intimidated by the creative, culinary awesomeness you may see at that coffee hour table. It’s not a Food Network competition, and you’re not being judged. An impressive table is what often stops people from considering hosting. […]
Old First respite shelter co-manager Michael Bagnulo repped us at the recent appreciation dinner for our volunteers on September 29th. The Plymouth Church of the Pilgrim, located in downtown Brooklyn, and was once the church of controversial preacher and abolitionist Beecher Ward. Each year, it shares a celebratory dinner (Michael had the delicious curry chicken!) as a chance to recognize the people who help run […]
Cynthia Ponce has just completed her second year of managing the Old First respite shelter, which serves meals and provides beds to homeless men during the summer months. The biggest lesson she’s learned so far: a gift is often more for the benefit of the giver than the receiver. “During dinner with the guys, one gentleman came over and kept replenishing my orange juice,” Cynthia […]