2008 Christmas Pageant

The Pageant was inspiring!  I've heard many comments on the great job done by all performers!  We laughed, we thought, we were challenged, and we made new connections between the stories of the different Gospel's account of that first Christmas and the events surrounding it.

My fuzzy, blurry pictures are can be found here, but for a lot of really good pictures, check out the ones that Abby and Amalya's dad, Jim, took:

12.14.08FPCPageant-  sunday (1 album)

I also have one short video, taken during the entrance of the pageant participants - while "Passing the Peace" in Worship - "Whom Shall I Fear?" by Bertilla and the Choir:

Cookie Decorating

Another great weekend at First Church!

2008-12-13 Cookie Decorating

Click the picture to see the whole album

The children, assisted by Youth and a few adults, decorated cookies after the final rehearsal of the 2008 Christmas Pageant.  Many cookies were baked so that everyone had a chance to frost and decorate with sprinkles, colored sugar, red hots, chocolate chips (regular and mini sized), M&Ms (regular and mini sized), and raisins.  Thank you to Prisca, Katy & Matt, Jill & Mark for the cookies and toppings, and the Neuners for that yummy, buttery frosting.

The sale of the cookies on Sunday brought in ... (drum roll, please) ... $154.27!!  (The Youth and Children will be selecting a deserving use for the funds in the future.)

Great job by all!

and now, this musical interlude brought to you by Caleb...

What the heck is TWLOHA?

In case you've looked at the calendar at the bottom of any Blog page, you may be asking yourself "What the heck is TWLOHA?"  (This Thursday, November 13th)

I received a facebook invitation to this event from a Youth at my former Church in New Jersey.  The letters stand for To Write Love On Her Arms. The event is to raise awareness of teen depression and suicide, and espeically to publicize the resources that are available to reach those that suffer.

"On November 13 write LOVE on your arm in big letters. Be creative, spread the word. This is for all the survivors and all the innocent. All of the people who are hurting and who think that suicide is the only way they can turn. Also, don't forget to donate so all of the kids in need can get the help that they deserve."

So think about it; decide for yourself; get informed; use your creativity if you choose to participate!

Confimation Outreach Project - ecclesia

On Sunday November 9th our Confirmands left worship a little early to travel together to Marble Collegiate Church and meet up with a group that leads an ecclesia worship service in Madison Square Park (BLOG: a minister's life: church without walls).

The worship takes place every week, with the focus on reaching the homeless that may be in or around the park.  Sandwiches are prepared, a Communion worship shared with simple hymns and scripture, and then the bag lunches distributed to any in attendance that desire physical feeding along with the spiritual.

Reports were that James, Rev. Beth's son, was working the crowd like a seasoned politician during - and after - the Passing of the Peace...

We all warmed-up back inside Marble's fellowship hall over Shake Shack burgers and fries to talk about our experiences.

Delivering painted pumpkins

Once again our Youth were involved in delivering pumpkins to the Cobble Hill Health Center.

The kids from Children's Church painted the pumpkins on October 19th, and members of the youth group and Confirmation Class delivered them on the 26th. We made some personal connections, placed pumpkins and hand-made greeting cards on the dining room tables, then headed back to Church for some Cuba cooking.

It was fun, and rarely a dull moment with a broken wheel barrel; large sidewalk gaps with a small-wheeled cart; and the other minor mayhem that accompanies a group of about 12 people walking a dozen city blocks "as a group".