Welcome Summer Intern Jack Holloway

Welcome Summer Intern Jack Holloway

One of Jack Holloway’s heroes: Reformed theologian Karl Barth (1886-1968). Among the many things for which Barth is remembered and appreciated: in 1934, he wrote the Barmen declaration, which rejected the influence of Nazism on German Christianity.  “It was through Barth that I started getting into the Reformed tradition,” Jack says. “so I thought, maybe I’ll get ordained in the Reformed Church of America. I […]

2018 Summer Respite Shelter: Sign up to Volunteer

2018 Summer Respite Shelter: Sign up to Volunteer

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 […]

Why I Volunteer: Michael Bagnulo

Why I Volunteer: Michael Bagnulo

I have been asked to speak about why I volunteer at Old First, keeping in mind the theme of Volunteer Sunday: “Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good?” Let me start by describing what I do as a volunteer. I am one of the many volunteers that support our summer shelter program. For several years now, Old First has served […]

Old First Respite Shelter Volunteers Honored

Old First Respite Shelter Volunteers Honored

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 […]

Respite Shelter Completes Another Successful, Loving Season

Respite Shelter Completes Another Successful, Loving Season

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 […]