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 […]
One of the keys to a successful real estate investment is “location, location, location,” but Old First has that beat. Since 1654, Old First has been located at six different spots. Its first locale was under a tree, then a barn (you have to start somewhere). By 1666, a physical church structure was built in what is now known as Fulton Street. One hundred years later, the original church was […]
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 […]
You may have heard the old story that most native New Yorkers have never been to The Statue of Liberty. The punchline: the most iconic, breathtaking landmarks are often overlooked by the local gentry. Old First — Park Slope’s version of an iconic, breathtaking landmark — is opening its doors to those who may have not yet taken the time to be amazed by its awesomeness. […]
I was asked to serve on the 2nd Mission Committee by Pastor Meeter. That committee, as you may know, is dedicated to creating adult education programs for the congregation and the community. Well, I don’t know if it was kismet or fate or the holy spirit, but I told Pastor Meeter, “You don’t know how perfect I am for this job,” because he didn’t know […]
“They said, ‘Do the scariest thing in the world for you.’ For me, it was singing in front of other people. But I think that experience propelled me.” That prophetic statement comes from our favorite countertenor, Jeff Mandelbaum, as he recalls his early days at a Wesleyan summer program at The Center for Creative Youth. Yep, he faced his fear and the rest is history. […]
Old First Vice President (and resident yoga instructor) Jenny Burrill has written Baby’s Big World: Yoga, for the popular Barnes & Noble children’s book series. The books in this collection — which include subjects like music, chemistry, and even the U.S. government! — are meant to be read to babies (however, don’t let that stop you if you are in a more advanced stage of life). […]
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 […]
April 9: 11:00 am, Palm Sunday Festival and St. Matthew’s Passion We bless the palm branches and celebrate the Triumphal Entry, and we follow that with our annual readers’ theater presentation of the whole Passion of Christ. April 13: 7:00 pm, Maundy Thursday – “A Passion” by Theatre Group Dzieci Theatre Group Dzieci has refined their text from the earliest existing translations, relying heavily on the Aramaic Peshita, […]
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. […]