Church. Brookville NEWSLETTER

Transcription

1 Brookville Church NEWSLETTER REV. VICKY L. EASTLAND Pastor of Congregational Life 2 BROOKVILLE ROAD BROOKVILLE, NY Where our doors are always open! February 2015 I have not stopped giving thanks for you! Ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God s people, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. ~ Ephesians 1:15 The Apostle Paul wrote these words to the church at Ephesus long before we were ever born and yet I cannot help but think of you whenever I read it. I have been your pastor for the last two and a half years. When I was interviewed by the Search Team it was made clear to me that this church was looking for someone who had an interfaith heart - a pastor who could help connect the Interfaith Community to our church. I didn t know if I was the right person, but I did know that when Pam Gawley and Sarah Cirker the Co-Directors of the Interfaith Community sat in on my 2nd interview, that listening to their plight as well as their passion to help other families like them find a dual faith home - one that embraced both their Jewish side as well as their Christian, that I desperately wanted to be a part of helping make that happen. I had a deep longing to learn and grow along with you as we figured this thing out together. And that s exactly what we have been doing. When we worship as a Christian congregation with the Jewish Ark visible in the sanctuary, it is a testament to our solidarity with The New Synagogue of Long Island and a reminder of our shared heritage that traces back to Abraham. The Ark of the Covenant is not only documented in the Old Testament, it is referenced in the New Testament too. (See Hebrews chapter nine as an example) When Rabbi Stuart Paris was asked by the Ark maker, what Hebrew words he wanted put on the front of the Ark, Rabbi Paris chose the wording that unites our two congregations and ultimately our Jewish and Christian faith traditions: Love God and others, which is what Jesus says are the two greatest commandments in all of scripture. These words are found in the New Testament gospels, but first they were in the Jewish scriptures which are the first books of the Christian Bible too. Did you know that in Deuteronomy, the fifth book of the Old Testament, the words Love God with all your heart, soul and strength appear five different times? PBS was here recently filming a segment for their Religion and Ethics show and during a Jewish Shabbat service they filmed both the Ark and the church s Christmas tree. This was a visual message that we can coexist side by side without compromising or having to give up part of our faith or traditions. We are forging a new path with our multifaith initiatives and sometimes living and serving side by side with three other religious communities can be messy. We have and will continue to bump into each other in ways that sometimes bruise, but in the end make us stronger. We are supporting each other as each faith community worships and connects with God in their own unique way. Some tangible ways that you can get involved: ~ Attend one of the other faith s religious services (check out the calendar page on the church s website for dates and times) ~ Spread the word to interfaith families you know about what we have to offer (children s education, Christian, Jewish, Muslim and Multifaith services and events) ~ Invite someone of another faith to join you at one of our quarterly Multifaith Gatherings ~ Invite someone from one of the other faith groups to share a meal with you in your home Serving alongside you, Rev. Vicky Adapted from a sermon given on

2 Education Corner By: Lesley Mazzotta, Dir. of Multifaith Education Greetings everyone! In February, we have a wonderful selection of educational programs for our children and youth, as well as a special service day for the whole Brookville multifaith campus. There is something for everyone, so please come join us! Blessings, Lesley Sunday, February 1 and 15 Interfaith Children s Classes, 10:00am 11:15am Our children join the IFC children in Fellowship Hall for our monthly classes that highlight stories, arts, crafts and group discussion from both the Jewish and Christian faith traditions. Our classes are divided by age, and every grade is covered in three classes from kindergarten through 8th grade. Our February 1 class is a make-up lesson for the class we missed on January 18 due to ice and snow. Sunday, February 15 Celebrating our Songs Join us as we launch a monthly class for toddlers, aged 18 months 4 years old. Children gather in the nursery at 10:00am for 45 minutes of free play, games and a simple, yet engaging lesson where children experience Christianity and Judaism through music. March Save the Dates! Sunday, March 15,, 10:00am 11:15am: Interfaith Children s Classes Saturday, March 28, 8:00am 6:00pm: Youth Leadership Lab in New York City Sunday, March 29, 10:00am: Children and youth led Palm Sunday Service Sign Up Now! Summer Youth Mission Trip, West Virginia Sunday, July 19 Saturday, July 25, 2015 For all youth, ages Sign up now for an amazing week of service and fun in the rural community of Pipestem, WV. Our home for the week is the Appalachian Folklife Center, which provides acres of a beautiful campground, a nearby lake, recreational facilities, cabins with bunk beds, and plenty of outdoor adventures. We will work six hours a day restoring and repairing homes for at - risk and vulnerable homeowners. In addition, we will participate in our own worship services, educational programs and social activities around our service experience. Price: $725, all inclusive. Farewell Charles Bell Chiz loved everyone he ever met. He was the most gracious man. All who knew him, miss him terribly. As Bess Bell, his loving wife, commented...chiz is now singing with the heavenly choir. I think we all believe that is true. Chiz was already a long standing member of the Brookville Choir when I started my tenure at the age of 26. He lovingly guided me through that first year and groomed me to meet the standards of the choir. He did everything quietly and with the utmost grace and dignity. Throughout the many years of friendship I was privileged to have with Chiz, he celebrated good times, counseled me through hard times and offered to be my surrogate father... and he was. I will hold you in my heart forever! ~ Carol Goglia I will always remember the sound of his voice. ~ Lisa Denison I feel so sad about Chiz. I will really miss not seeing him. He was always a great gentleman. ~ Jessie Surig Chiz was the consummate Rotarian and embodied the Rotarians Four way test: 1. Is it the truth? 2. Is it fair to all concerned? 3. Will it build goodwill and better friendships? 4. Will it be beneficial to all concerned? His life was a living, breathing, walking four way test. Make it a great tribute of his life. ~ Allan Ramirez Goodbye Chiz Charles Bell. It was so wonderful knowing you, mainly because you always acted as if YOU were the one that was lucky to know 'me', not the other way around. How many others were blessed with your gracious, kind friendship over the years? We met in my mid-20's, I sang/ learned from/ adored you for 20 years, and you're still twice my age... so I have plenty of time to reach the bar you set so high. Keep the whole world singing. ~ B.J. Worsham

3 Every blade of grass has its Angel that bends over it and whispers, Grow, grow. ~The Talmud Tu B Shevat, or the "New Year of the Trees," is Jewish Arbor Day. The holiday is observed on the 15th (tu) of the Hebrew month of Shevat (corresponding to February 4, 2015). Tu B Shevat was an agricultural festival, marking the emergence of spring. The holiday has become a tree-planting festival in Israel, in which Israelis and Jews around the world plant trees in honor or in memory of loved ones and friends. Tu B Shevat is a holiday that brings us back to nature. After all, this is a time of year when we could easily lose sight of the beauty of nature. The sky is often gray. The days are often short. Tu B Shevat reminds us that spring is going to happen after all, the blue sky will come back and flowers will bloom again. It is a holiday that hinges on hope and possibility. The tree is a symbol of life; belief in the face of doubt; strength amidst uncertainty. This holiday is a time to plant, taking the idea of hope and making it real by rolling up our sleeves and contributing to the promise of the future. We are told that we were created by God. We are told that we have a divine spark within us. We are told that each one of us, like God, has the power to create worlds; to perform acts of abounding goodness; to bring greater peace to our world. But how do we emulate God? Begin with a new openness to the world around you. Reawaken your capacity for wonderment. Make room for the sense of awe you felt as a child when you first beheld the beauty and the mystery of the natural world. These are Divine sparks. Allow yourself to experience them. For those of us who are parents, we emulate God by parenting. Parenting can no doubt be the most exhausting job, but it can also be the most rewarding. On this Tu B Shevat may we recommit to planting seeds of empowerment, confidence, and love in our children and in theirs, and in all those we hold dear. As my ancestors planted for me, so too I plant for my children and my children s children. ~The Talmud Rabbi Stuart Paris, HaKohen Our Together We Serve meal ministry is up and running, ready to meet the needs of individuals/ families in the Brookvile community. A birth? Illness? Surgery? Let us help make life a little easier by bringing a meal, making a dish that can be frozen/reheated easily in the future, ordering a local food delivery, pizza, etc. Anyone can initiate a "meal train" simply by calling the church office ( ) and providing our administrative assistant Lauren with the name of the recipient(s), along with pertinent information. Let us help make life a little easier for someone in need!

4 # 2015 Classis Assessment Dear Members of the Brookville Church Family, For the past several years we have asked each member of the church to consider paying his or her share of the item in our budget called Classis Assessment. What is the Classis Assessment? The assessment is a per capita levy made annually, upon each church in the Reformed Church in America, which is used to carry out the administrative work of the denomination. This includes the administrative work of the General Synod, The Regional Synod of New York, and the Classis of Nassau/Suffolk. The assessment is based on the figure that the church reports as Active members. The total assessment for our church this year is $4, The amount per church member is $ If each of us pays this amount, it will be a big help toward meeting our own local budget. Enclosed with this newsletter is a form on which you may indicate the amount which you would like to enclose for the confirmed members of your family. (For those who are receiving the newsletter via , please print and cut out the form below to mail in with your payment.) Please return it to the Church office at your earliest convenience. Checks should be made out to the Brookville Reformed Church. Thank you for your consideration of this matter. Rev. Vicky L. Eastland, on behalf of the consistory. Classis Assessment 2015 Please send to the Church Office at: The Brookville Church 2 Brookville Road, Brookville, NY Enclosed please find $ to pay the Classis Assessment for the communicant members of our family listed below, at $ each. Signature: MEMBERS: 3rd Annual Lenten Movie Study Thursdays ~ Feb March 26 7:00-8:30pm Week one: 7:00-10:00pm ~ Movie Viewing Party At the home of Revs. James and Vicky Eastland 171 Glen Ave., Sea Cliff, NY (516) Call Brookville Church to register: (516) Anyone looking for connection with others and wanting to explore the spiritual themes in this heartwarming story are welcome to attend. As the earth heats up, the vanishing of humanity has become something of a h o t t o p i c. A s Christians, how are we to respond to the topics of care of creation and human interaction? These themes along with others will be explored. Synopsis: WALL-E, short for Waste Allocation Load Lifter Earthclass, is the last robot left on Earth. He spends his days tidying up the planet, one piece of garbage at a time. But during 700 years, WALL-E has developed a personality, and he's more than a little lonely. Then he spots EVE (Elissa Knight), a sleek and shapely probe sent back to Earth on a scanning mission. Smitten WALL-E embarks on his greatest adventure yet when he follows EVE across the galaxy. Reviews: A cinematic poem of such wit and beauty that its darker implications may take a while to sink in. - A. O. Scott, NY Times The social commentary in "WALL E" is sobering because it's never overbearing and most importantly because we see the world through machines, machines who feel more about Earth and life than the humans do. ~ wordpress.com

5 Lent Instead of Don t, Let s Do! When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, Do you understand what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. John 13: ESV Instead of using the precious time on the night before he died to prepare his disciples for the challenges ahead, Jesus, Teacher and Lord, turned the tables and made it a teachable moment. The lesson was simple: This is not just about me. It is also about you. He led by example, washing their feet, and told them they must do the same for one another. As he acted as a servant to them, so must they do the same by putting others first. "Lent" (40 weekdays commencing Ash Wednesday, February 18 th this year, climaxing during Easter week, and concluding the Saturday before Easter) is derived from an old English word meaning, "lengthen," a reference to the increasing amount of sunlight daily as we approach Easter. Lent is traditionally a time of preparation as we move (as in nature) symbolically from spiritual darkness into the light of the resurrection. Forty days is a number associated with many biblical events, but in this case, its significance is tied to the period of time that Jesus wandered in the Judean Desert preparing for his ministry, dispelling all temptations by Satan to derail his calling. Traditionally Lent is often associated with repentance, fasting, and self-denial. While giving up something for Lent might have merit, it overlooks Christ s directive to his followers. It misses the point. By focusing on the don ts of Lent, e.g. giving up chocolate, not eating fast food, giving up swearing, drinking, smoking, and so on, the lesson of focusing on others is lost on us. Perhaps by devoting more time to prayer, renewing our faith by reading scripture, attending church, and serving others we will draw closer to our Lord, and to one another. I would challenge everyone to make this a season of dos. As we pray for the need for redemption and God s grace, let us also pray for his guidance in following Jesus example. Our God is a God of strength, why not use this power source to renew our relationship with Christ, empower us to go where Christ leads, take ancient practices and make them relevant for our times, inspire us? Let s focus not only on charitable deeds, especially helping those in need of food remember our Brookville meal train! or donating to charities, but also on the world and those around us. If you are compelled to fast, then fast from rushing through your day without observing the beauty around you, the snow as it gently falls, the birds as they delight us with their unique and melodious songs, the beautiful pattern of tree branches as they sway in the breeze. Pray that God will open your eyes to something new, something you never took the time to really look at before. Take the time to admire a work of art or become inspired by a book or look closely at the needlework made by a friend or relative. Because Lent is not just about what you don't do, it's about what you do, how you participate in the life of Christ, follow his example of humility, and continue his ongoing work in the world. It is not enough to stare up the steps, we must step up the stairs. ~ Vaclav Havel ~ Kris Baggelaar Elder/Chair of Growth & Development Team SAT REVIEW CLASS Do you know a high school student who needs to prepare for the SAT exam? If you do, suggest they come to the SAT Review Class at the Brookville Church. The class will be instructed by Rev. James Eastland and Cathy O Neill from 4pm - 7pm on Tuesdays during March and April ( no class on April 7 th ). James and Cathy are trained secondary education school teachers and are volunteering their time to help raise funds to send underprivileged children to summer camp at Camp Warwick. The suggested donation for the class is $350 which will send one child to camp for a week. For more information or to sign up call the Brookville Church office at or Cathy O Neill at

6 Brookville Multifaith Campus 2 Brookville Road Brookville (Glen Head), NY Brookville Reformed Church (BC) Interfaith Community of Long Island (IFC) The New Synagogue of Long Island Muslim Reform Movement Organization Upcoming Multifaith Gatherings in Brookville s Fellowship Hall Campus-wide Service Day Saturday, February 28, 9am 1pm Now, more than ever, there is a desperate need for food in our community. Join us for a morning of service, focusing on this important and very real issue, as we make 500 lunches for The INN (Interfaith Nutrition Network), discuss food insecurity in the U.S. and find ways to make a positive and significant impact in our community and the world. What do the Abrahamic Religions believe about Jesus? Friday, March 27, 7pm -9pm Rev Hank Lay from The Parkway Community Church in Hicksville will join us to share his studies into how Jesus is viewed by Judaism, Christianity and Islam. He will explore mutual understandings as well as differences and suggest possible ways that the followers of these three key world religions might find a common future regarding Jesus and their interactions in the world. Trialogue Event: Rabbi Paris, Rev. Eastland and Dr. Sultan Abdulhameed Wednesday, May 20, 7pm 9pm Listen in on a discussion between our Multifaith Campus leaders on what excites them about their own faith tradition. Ask questions and join the discussion on how to strengthen our campus' visibility in the community so those who need a loving and accepting faith home can find us. Share your own story of what you gain from being a part of this unique community. For more information or to sign up for any of these events, please call the Brookville Church office at Brookville Multifaith Gatherings are ongoing community events that provide a safe and welcoming space for deeper exploration of the Christian, Jewish and Muslim faiths while building bridges of friendship, understanding and peace between us.

7 Sunday Afternoon(s) of Yoga March 8, pm - 5 pm ~ $45 per date Please register no later than one week prior to date at Brookville Reformed Church, 2 Brookville Road Brookville Presenter: Karyn Van Name, Certified Practitioner of Yoga, Meditation, Chakra Yoga, Yoga Therepy, Chair Yoga and Reiki Karyn will present an afternoon consisting of well-paced, hatha yoga postures with focus on breath and alignment, pranayama (yogic breathing), meditation and relaxation. Her intention is to help facilitate a state of ease and centeredness with an overall feeling of wellness and wholeness. This workshop is for all levels and highly recommended for those who are currently practicing yoga regularly to enrich your practice. If you are new to yoga or have limitations or are recovering from surgery, illness or injury, please contact Karyn keyoga62@hotmail.com or to discuss your concerns. A private session or a shorter, smaller group class may be recommended first. Please bring a yoga mat, cotton throw blanket, yoga blocks and belt (if you have them). Wear comfortable clothing in layers that allows freedom of movement. Please do not wear any perfume or cologne. Please practice with an empty stomach and barefoot. * * * Karyn is a student of yoga since 1997 and teaching since She gratefully taught 90 students a week for 11 ½ years at St. Ignatius Retreat House in Manhasset till it closed in Currently she is teaching 7 classes weekly in Williston Park and studying Ayurveda which is based on the timeless wisdom of India's 5,000 year old medical system. As Karyn integrates these wisdom practices of aligning with nature into her own life, she naturally offers them to her students to help them live more holistically with the rhythm and seasons of life. Karyn holds certifications in Kripalu Yoga and Hatha Yoga - Anusara Inspired with Todd Norian, Chair Yoga, Meditation, Yoga Therapy, Chakra Yoga and as a Reiki Master. Having practiced Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy & Anusara Yoga Therapeutics, Karyn brings a comprehensive knowledge of yoga as therapy and a deep understanding of body-mind healing to her work with clients. She creates a sacred, safe space for healing in each modality or in combination, if needed, and is devoted to bringing compassion and understanding with heart centered awareness to each encounter with her students and clients. Karyn offers an integrative approach to wholeness with private and semiprivate sessions at Lisa's Holistic Day Spa in Greenvale and in Williston Park and Locust Valley. She is available for classes and retreats for your group at your location. Call Karyn for details about tailored private or group programs. Registration Form ~ Sunday Afternoon(s) of Yoga Name! Address!! Phone Cell Yoga Experience: Number of years practicing and type of yoga! Date(s) of Session(s) you wish to attend: Jan 11, 2015 March 8, 2015 Please check all that apply. Please remember to include your full payment of $45.00 per session. You can register for all dates at one time or individually and by one week prior to the event! Please make check payable to and send to: Karyn Van Name, P.O. Box 152, Locust Valley, NY 11560

8 Reflections Reflections The past is a foreign country; they do everything differently there. ~ L.P. Hartley This is written as we wait for a snowstorm to arrive with depth predicted at 12 or more. As I often do to appreciate Long Island weather I checked my home town in Minnesota where this coming week temperatures will be in single digits above and below zero and they have had snow since Halloween. Another place I check because I have memories of winter there -- Fairbanks, Alaska. This coming week the high for the week is going to be -5 degrees, but the nights will be below -30 degrees. I was in the Army there and had to endure winter field exercises where it was my fortune to be in charge of the communications van which was warm thanks to all of the humming machinery loud and warm because computers were not issued for several years. It is easy to find some place or someone who has a worse deal than yours. I will always tip my hat to the Infantry soldiers who lived outdoors, in the natural elements, far more often than the tents and bivouacs that are thought of for them. Back here on the Island there are many people who provide services for us while battling our cold and snow. The first one I think of is among the least appreciated people the newspaper delivery person. This morning at 6 A.M. I went out to the mailbox slipping on the ice all of the way and the paper was there. That person starts folding the Sunday Newsday at 1 AM and has 800 copies to delivery before the job is done. As our newspapers get thinner and thinner I begin to recognize a lot of the articles are not just similar to Internet features, they are exactly the same as the Internet news. I have had an aversion to signing up online for a newspaper subscription but it may be that someday there will not be many newspapers to pick up out in front of the house at 6 A.M. So that begs the question, where will the advertising for food, clothes, furniture and services be found. The times they are a changing. We recently had one Sunday church service cancelled and one nearly stopped. Essentially in both cases it was because of slippery roads. Imagine our church founders going to church on their horse s back or the buggy s seat. Actually before they had buggies they just traveled on the farm wagon. At least icy roads were not a problem for the horses iron shoes. In the early 1700 s the Dutch farmers were tired of the long ride to Flatbush (Brooklyn) for a church service (and probably did not go often in the winter) so they decided to build a church. I have read the names of those founders and studied where they lived. Five or six miles was about the longest trip which is interesting because we live five miles from Brookville Church and do not think of it as a long trip. For several years our pastors have lived in Sea Cliff which is 5 miles away and was also the address of many of the early members. For many of the early years our church had a circuit riding pastor who would spend a week each at Lake Success, Flushing and Wolver Hollow (Brookville) but actually staying in the homes of the congregation. I am going to suppose that it had to be a very friendly and successful lifestyle because it was common throughout the young nation and continued for over one hundred years as the west was settled. Jump forward 282 years from the Dutch farmers thru the wealthy landowners and the people who worked for them to the Veterans of World War Two who bought, built and moved into the area to now us. We are the custodians of the church, its heritage, and its future. It is awesome and exciting. We used to have members one or two generations from the founders. I was impressed and honored when I knew people older than me who could make that claim. There are some of them left whose family name is an old one in the area, but now we have a newer type of congregation: people who are descendants of the founders and others born and baptized into the Brookville Church with more recent links to the past. We would have to comb thru our members to find connections going back beyond two generations. So in many respects our unique historical heritage has matured and passed the torch to us. Our task is to honor the past and make our own present and future. Branch Worsham End Word: The future lies before you like a field of driven snow. Be careful how you tread it, for every step will show. GRANDPA KNOWS ~~ IT AIN T TOO LATE ~~ HE S GONE TO GIT ~~ SOME WIDDER BAIT