March 2021 Newsletter
If you have questions or comments about anything here, please feel free to contact newsletter@oldfirstbrooklyn.org. Thank you and God bless you!
Consistory Report: February meeting
The Consistory is the governing body of Old First, composed of volunteer Elders and Deacons confirmed by the congregation. Consistory meets monthly to discuss the financial, physical, communal, and spiritual life of Old First Reformed Church, and shares updates on their work here.
The Consistory has been planning special events for the Lenten period, including services during Holy Week (March 28th – April 4th). You will find more details about these events elsewhere in this newsletter.
We continue to evaluate the feasibility of safely resuming in-person worship. Use of the building remains restricted to the Brooklyn Relief Kitchen, Old First Nursery School and the church staff. We will continue to assess expanded building usage on a case-by-case basis.
The Pastor Search Committee members are being finalized this month, and work is expected to begin soon on the search. We will bring you updates on the committee’s progress in upcoming newsletters.
The Electrical/Lighting Upgrade Team is proceeding with the full electrical upgrade of our entire building. The upgrade will ensure safety, and will include a lighting upgrade of the sanctuary, lower hall, administrative offices and stairways. We expect the construction phase of the project to begin later this year, and to last for up to 12 months. We will share more timing details as we have them. Our matching grant application for this work was submitted on March 1 to Partners for Sacred Places and the National Fund for Sacred Places. This is an exciting new chapter in our beautiful old building’s restoration!
Our work with Partners for Sacred Places continues. The Strategic Visioning Team is made up of members of our congregation and community members, and has developed a vision statement for the building that will be reviewed with Consistory this month. It is based on the trends, common concerns, ideas and strategic opportunities identified in last Fall’s survey. The vision statement is supported by two documents: a Space Use Rubric defining a way to discern rental proposals, goals and how to think about them in light of the church mission, and a Roles and Responsibilities document outlining the organizational structures and roles of the 501c3 and Old First staff and leadership. The primary goal for the 501c3 in its first five+ years is to raise money for the restoration and preservation of the building, continuing into phase 2 and beyond.
Old First Consistory:
Elders: Jeff Cribbs (Vice President), Wayne Adams, Jessica Stockton Bagnulo, Ken Nieuwenhuis, Jabe Ziino
Deacons: Kent Adams, Philip Alexander, Jan Barber, Kelly Greene, Anita Keire, Susan Snyder
Contact the Consistory: consistory@oldfirstbrooklyn.org
Upcoming Special Services
Sunday morning services can be accessed using this link. Links and details for additional services will be provided.
Sunday, March 7, 11:00 AM
Ordination of Elders and Deacons
Link to join
Sunday, March 28, 11:00 AM
Palm Sunday
Congregational reading the Passion
Link to join
Friday, April 2
Good Friday
Evening Virtual Bluegrass Passion Service
Details to come
Saturday, April 3
Easter Eve
Evening Easter Vigil with St. Lydia’s
Details to come
Sunday, April 4, 11:00 AM
Easter Sunday
Special service of hymns and special music
Link to join
Call for singers for Easter virtual choir
Old First’s own Aleeza Meir is putting together another virtual hymn choir for our Easter Sunday service! You can participate by recording yourself singing the selected hymns; your individual recordings will be combined into one big choir. All voices are welcome — all you need to do is record yourself using your computer, iPad, or phone following the provided instructions! If you are interested in taking part, please email ofrcmusic@gmail.com for more information including sheet music, accompaniment recordings, and instructions.
Information and Resources
| Camp Warwick Since 1959, The Warwick Conference Center (a facility of the Regional Synods of New York & Mid-Atlantics, Reformed Church in America) has been serving groups, organizations and churches. As Camp Warwick and the Warwick Conference Center move into 2021, they are planning on running 2021 Summer Camps as scheduled. Camp Warwick is now hiring counselors (18 and over) and camp registration is now open (COVID safety procedures are in place). More information on the Camp Warwick website; you can contact Camp Warwick at (845) 986-1164 or at campwarwick1959@gmail.com with any questions. |
Giving to Old First Though we are not currently passing a collection plate for offertory, the following options are available for you to give to Old First:
Tithe.ly
Available as a smartphone app, via the Donations tab on the Old First website, or through a phone call to Old First staff members. You can select a credit or debit card, or an account with a financial institution. If you currently have a check mailed to Old First from your bank, please consider switching this service to Tithe.ly
OR
Mail a check to:
Old First Reformed Church
729 Carroll St.
Brooklyn, NY 11215
Please Identify Your Intended Area of Support
Remember, whichever method you send in your offering, to identify your offering as either: GENERAL FUND for general offering, CAPITAL CAMPAIGN for building restoration, or MISSION (CHiPS and HousingPlus)
Services and Meetings Note that the Consistory of Old First has voted that the sanctuary remain closed for worship at this time.
Sunday Worship at Old First Old First is offering online worship via Zoom each Sunday morning at 11:00 AM. The service includes readings, prayers, music, sermon, and other elements from Old First’s pastor and members. Please join us as we learn to love God and our neighbor in this new space.
Click here to join the worship service
(This link stays the same from week to week; you will be able to join once the service has begin on Sunday morning at 11:00 AM.)
If you miss the service, you can find recordings of past services here.
Sunday Coffee Hour Following the worship service, there is a more informal Coffee Hour as a time for attendees to chat, catch up, and see each others’ faces. Join us for a joyful group video meeting from our homes.
Click here to join the coffee hour
(This link stays the same from week to week; you will be able to join once the meeting has begun on Sunday morning at or around 12:00 noon.)
Prayer Team The Prayer Team of Old First meets at 9pm on Thursdays, to pray for the needs of our congregation, our community, and our world. If you would like to request prayer, for yourself or anything/anyone else, please email prayerrequests@oldfirstbrooklyn.org. If you would like to join the prayer team or learn more, please email Jessica Bagnulo, jsbagnulo@gmail.com.
Past Services & Events
Our virtual services and events are recorded, so you can access them any time.
Thanks to everyone who attended our February 22 event with Father James Martin and Mary Karr discussing Learning to Pray! If you missed it, or if you’d like to watch it again, you can find the recording here:
Learning to Pray event recording
Brooklyn Relief Kitchen
The Old First Brooklyn Relief Kitchen is cooking up a storm and sending out lots of free food. You can volunteer to prepare and package fresh meals, and help delivery to 3 sites: CHiPS, Camp Friendship and Red Hook, plus a new site in Coney Island (probably more to come). You can volunteer to help by Contacting Piper the Volunteer Coordinator at piper@brooklynreliefkitchen.org. We will be accepting drop off donations at the front entrance on 7th Avenue under the tent. Check the Brooklyn Relief Kitchen Facebook page for updates and details about how to help.