"WOW, What Does That Mean?"

That's the title of this year's original Christmas Pageant. I hope you guys will come see it on December 16th at 11AM during church. The Sunday School is working hard and it means a lot to them if they see older youth supporting them in church.

I'd also invite you guys to help out with acting coaching and stage managing. Patti is directing and Jill is stage managing this year.

We could use you guys this Sunday for our rehearsal at 10AM. And especially for our dress rehearsal on Saturday, Dec 15th, from 10-12. Oh yeah and at the cookie decorating event afterwards. Remember this from last year?

Let me know if you can help out!

Where are all the youth?

Hey guys, I've made it onto the blog! Now where are you? Mark finally invited me to post on this site. I've been racking my brain for something profound to say, but all I can think about is you guys and how I'd rather hear from you than wax philosophic. I thought getting confirmed meant you'd be connected to the church... I know life is busy but can you check in with us by posting a comment below. I bet you'd like to hear what everyone else is up to. I hear rumors like Jessica took the PSAT's, Juan's got loads of homework, Harry has parties to go to on Friday night (or at least the night of the lock-in), Eddie has soccer, Emma is in a new play, Brooklyn's into knitting, Haley, well, I've seen her, she's been good at watching my son, James. Is any of this true? What's up with the rest of you guys? Let us know.

Thanksgiving: Reflect on our blessings and take Social Action

Thanksgiving is a great time to reflect on the blessings we have been given, but can also be a time to talk to friends and relatives about the causes and activities that we are concerned about.

If the crisis in Darfur has touched you, please click below for Social Action that you can take this holiday to involve those around you in some far-reaching causes.

For a fully formatted version of a message from SaveDarfur.org, click over to http://fpcbrooklynyouth.googlepages.com/Thanksgiving2007-SaveDarfur.html

Touching Tiny Lives - Lesotho video clip

I just received a YouTube video link from Rev. Beth and her friend Tara. The video highlights the AIDS and general healthcare crisis in Lesotho where Touching Tiny Lives is located. Touching Tiny Lives is a charity that we have raised funds for, and communicated with, as part of the Sunday School and Youth Group activities. (You've probably heard about it from Linda, at Church, during the Children's Message or other times.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=99syNgbFZL8 (see it right here on the blog by clicking the You Tube video on the right column of the blog)

Tara is now working with the two men interviewed here (Paul Farmer and the pilot of Partners in Health) on a project to treat adults with multi-drug resistant TB.

Re-launch of the FPC Website

In case you weren't in worship on Sunday, you missed the preview of the really cool new look of the Church's web site!

"First Church is pleased to announce the launch of our new web-site! We encourage you to take a look around to see what has changed."

Website: http://www.fpcbrooklyn.org/

A link is also available on the "Related (or not) Links" section on the right side of this blog.

Families blog and Kids Choir photos

Rev. Beth has entered the blogosphere and setup a snappy new blog on http://fpcbrooklynfamilies.blogspot.com/. Check it out if you are in a family, have a family, or are in any way interested in families at First Church.

Also, on Sunday morning the 18th, the Kids Choir sang with the Adult Choir to help inspire us all for the Stewardship Commitment Kick-Off Sunday. Here is an album of grainy little pictures taken with my camera phone:

2007-11-18 Kids Choir

Belated Halloween Photo (contest?!?)

A small contest, and a couple of other questions. Contest winners get a bag of their favorite junk food (from Beth):

1. What catholic country first co-opted the pagan holiday that would become Halloween? To answer, post a comment WITH YOUR NAME (choose "Other" and put in your first name only, please) so we can determine the winners.
   
2. What were you this year for Halloween -or- What was your favorite Halloween costume? (Send me pictures if you want them posted, or comment with your own links to facebook, MySpace, Flickr, Picasa, etc.)
   
3. Can you write a better caption for this picture? If so, post it as a comment!

James Love as the Jack-o-lantern and Rev. Beth as "the stoop"