Last month I wrote in this space of the dire financial news. As challenging as things seemed at the end of September, October brought even bleaker tidings. I will forego listing any particulars. You all have access to the seemingly unending coverage, to the degree that you desire to avail yourself.
This week Donald Smith, our financial secretary, brought the offering and attendance figures from Reformation Sunday, October 29th, to my office. He looked over my shoulder as I tallied the numbers for the month. At virtually the same moment we both said, almost under our breath, “wow.”
In the midst of an historically disastrous global financial meltdown, October attendance at St. John-St. Matthew-Emanuel exceeded last year by 12%. This is good news, but perhaps not so surprising—difficult times in the community often mean increased attendance for houses of worship. But the average weekly offering for October also increased, almost 10% over last year. To see such faithful stewardship at a moment like this is indeed cause for a “wow,” or, more appropriately, “Alleluia!”
On the following pages, we have good news abounding: confirmation Sunday and a special baptism; the Sunday School plans to support the ELCA Global Barnyard Project with a stoop sale and craft projects; news of our growing Capital Campaign; an announcement of the date of our 150th anniversary celebration; transitions and new beginnings at Prospect Hill Senior Services Center.
This community of faith is blessed in so many ways. It is truly inspiring to see how you continue to build on the legacy of nearly 150 years as the body of Christ in Park Slope.
Pr. Parsons
November 2nd - Revelation 7: 9-17; 1 John 3:1-3; Matthew 5:1-12
November 9th - Amos 5:18-24; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Matthew 25: 1-13
November 16th - Zephaniah 1: 7, 12-18; 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11; Matthew 25: 14-30
November 23rd - Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24; Ephesians 1:15-23; Matthew 25: 31-46
November 30th - Isaiah 64: 1-9; 1 Corinthians 1:3-9, Mark 13: 24-37
We have been invited to a very special, ecumenical event hosted by a local congregation. Taizé worship is a beautiful, profoundly moving process. The presence of Brother John from the home community in France promises to deepen the experience for all who participate. Plan to attend at least the evening prayer on Friday—you may find yourself moved to participate in Saturday’s activity as well. – Pr. Parsons
TAIZÉ GATHERING WITH BROTHER JOHN FROM THE TAIZÉ COMMUNITY, TAIZÉ, FRANCE
Park Slope United Methodist Church - 6th Avenue & 8th Street
Prayer, Song, Silence, Bible Study & discussions led by Brother John.
Beginning with EVENING PRAYER, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 7th @ 7:30 PM
Continuing… SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 8th - 12 Noon- 6:30 PM
Taizé is an ecumenical, monastic community in the Burgundy region of France. It is known worldwide for its commitment to reconciliation and its weekly welcome of thousands of young people from around the globe. Suggested donation - $10 to cover Saturday meal. There will also be a contribution to the Taizé community fund. For more information or to register, please email Taizebrooklyn@gmail.com or call 718-832-1506
http://psumc.wufoo.com/forms/taize Contact person: Kathryn Dickinson
October 15th, 2008, marked the final day of Jane Barry’s tenure as Executive Director of the Prospect Hill Senior Services Center. She is working at another Senior agency in Manhattan. We give thanks for her service to our community, and wish her well in her new position.
Carla Zecca now serves as the Director of our Senior Center at PHSSC. She brings years of experience and a real passion for the mission. We look forward to her tenure, and the vision she has for prospect Hill.
Every day at PHSSC, a hot breakfast and lunch are prepared and served onsite, and more than 250 meals are prepared and sent out through the Meals-on-Wheels program. In addition to daily games of Pokeno, Dominos and Bingo, there are a whirlwind of activities each month, including (but not limited to!) a trip to Atlantic City, Tai Chi on Tuesdays, Yoga on Wednesdays, choir every Thursday, movies Friday afternoon, and “Tea and Sympathy” gatherings on Wednesday afternoons.
There will be blood pressure screening clinics on November 4th and 18th, and flu shots December 12th. These are open to the public.
You may be aware that the New York City is radically reconfiguring their vision of Senior Centers. Please keep this vital ministry of our church in your prayers as they continue to serve an important role in this community.
Sunday, October 29th, was Confirmation Sunday at St. John-St. Matthew-Emanuel. Andrew Bholonat, Matthew Croak, Eliza Dumais, Amy Enrione, Nicky Fasano, Peter Giddings and Juliette Medina were introduced by Council President Jim Vizzini, and became adults in the eyes of the church by affirming their Baptismal faith.
The confirmands all wrote a faith statement as part of their learning. They were asked to say who God is, how they know that, and what that fact means in their lives. In my sermon, I quoted just one sentence from each statement. They added up to a lovely “creed:”
God is everything.
God is an all-powerful being who watches over us, His creation.
God is unconditional love.
God loves me.
God loves us and cares for us.
God is faith.
I believe that faith is the most important thing in my life.
The day was made especially memorable by an unusual event: a baptism preceded the confirmation rite.
Andrew Bholanat has attended this congregation, and confirmation classes, on a regular basis. Because his parents come from different faith traditions, Andrew had not been baptized. In the week before Confirmation Sunday, Andrew prayed daily that he might be baptized, and I was praying for guidance. Andrew had completed the Confirmation curriculum. Confirmation is, specifically, the affirmation of one’s baptism. Could we somehow reconcile the conflict?
God said, “Yes.” Sunday morning, Andrew told me he had received the OK from his parents to be baptized. With his fellow confirmands serving as his sponsors, Andrew was baptized in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, and then joined his classmates in affirming that baptism. It was a memorable day, one of the most special in my personal journey as an ordained pastor.
Pr. Parsons
The Sunday School children and their teachers are once again raising funds to support the ELCA’s Global Barnyard, with a goal of matching last year’s total: $3,000. A program that provides families in need with animals and training to develop self-sufficiency and promote improved health and education, Global Barnyard operates with an extremely low overhead, utilizing partnerships with local communities to ensure that aid is directed to the people who need it most.
Thrivent Financial for Lutherans will match the first $1300 raised through their Care in Congregations program. Be sure to stop by the craft table each Sunday!
We are more than half-way there! The Capital Campaign Committee reports that, as of October 30th, pledges and donations have topped $80,000. We are well over 50% of the way toward realizing our campaign goal of $150,000.
In the weeks leading up to the Capital Campaign Service of Blessing on October 19th we heard inspiring “Minutes for Mission” from Lynda Anderson, Becca Seely, Whelan Mahoney, Pr. Parsons and Brit Geiger—thank you all for your inspiring words! On the day of the Blessing Service we received pledges totaling more than $7,000. Nearly 30% of the church has pledged to date. We are working toward a goal of 100% member participation.
Please keep the committee in your prayers as they work to support our goal of funding major renovations to the church to prepare for the celebration of our 150th anniversary in 2009, and the beginning of our next 150 years of ministry.
On All Saints Sunday, November 2nd, 2009, at 11:00 a.m. there will be a Festival Eucharist to celebrate the 150th anniversary of St. John-St. Matthew-Emanuel Lutheran Church. Plans are underway to make it a memorable day, with a guest preacher, special music, and a community meal to follow.
Mark your calendars and plan to be a part of this significant event in the history of our church.
