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 […]
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 aftereffects of a hurricane can linger for months or even years. After a pair of Category 5 hurricanes attacked the U.S. Virgin Islands six months ago, our sister congregations on the islands of St. Thomas and St. Croix began a long and difficult journey to recovery and normalization. The journey is still in progress. Even after all this time has passed, much work still […]
One of the unsung heroes of Old First: our kitchen stove. We use it on the second Saturday of each month to cook our meals for Christian Help in Park Slope (CHiPS), the Fourth Avenue soup kitchen and social service provider. CHiPS partners with local churches, synagogues, civic groups and volunteers to cook and deliver food to the hungry and homeless. It serves as many […]
River terrapins are considered a critically endangered freshwater turtle species, mostly due to human consumption and habitat destruction. The Turtle Conservation Society of Malaysia (TCS) is a non-governmental organization (NGO) that is working hard to reverse and/or eliminate this unfortunate trend. Our Vera Nieuwenhuis’ impactful images are helping TCS to spread the “word.” Each year, Photographers Without Borders (PWB) connects volunteer photographers like Vera to […]
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 […]
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 […]
It was quite the schlep, but well worth it. A gang of strong people (in faith as well as muscles) helped move the pews out of the way for the workers who were clearing the sanctuary of asbestos (as you can see, we’re doing asbestos we can). The removal process took just two weeks, thanks to the hard work of the staff at Degmor Environmental […]
On your way to church on Sunday, don’t forget to bring along some chow for our kitchen pantry. A deacon will kindly collect it from you and place it in our newly reopened cupboard. You can also see (and thank) Linda Larson, who graciously volunteered to coordinate this vital operation. The pantry is a quick source of food for the neighborhood’s homeless and hungry. Pastor Meeter […]
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 […]